“You okay?” Keith asked.
“Yeah, you saved me. Dumbass.” He grinned.
“Go home to your kids. They can’t lose you.” His eyes closed and he started to shake.
I started to grab him but Tom pushed me out of the way with one hand and plunged the knife into Keith’s’ eye with the other. Johns head fell into his chest and Mike turned away from the painfull memory of his fathers death. I fell onto my back and screamed a mournfull wail.
Then the store fell silent but for our tears.
Without any words, Tom rose up and went off. He brought back some drop cloths from the paint department to wrap Keith.. I watched him come back hoping he would look at me and see how sorry I was but he avoided my eyes. Mike grabbed a flat bed cart and Keith’s body was placed on it. John and Tom began to wheel him down towards the lumber doors. Mike grabbed another cart and helped me on it. We followed behind the others. The cart had a bad wheel that echoed through the store, mocking my stupidity for getting Keith killed.
Keith was placed on the floor of the bus where Michael had been. Where Sam had been. They helped me in and I sat on the seat next to him. No words were spoken. The three of them went back for our carts and loaded the rest of the supplies. The last thing loaded was Keiths backpack. It was full of the precious seeds. Seeds for our future survival. A future that Keith wouldn’t see.
I watched from the bus for any visitors as the others loaded the boat. Short two people it was a long, silent process. I didn’t see anyone watching us this time. Mike helped me to the boat and I crawled to the wheelhouse and into the captains chair. Zombies fell silently into the water from the Yorktown as we motored past.
Lois was on lookout when we got back to the pier. I hadn’t called in so they all knew something was wrong. Everyone else was at the dock waiting. Tabby went to take Lois’ spot on watch. I sent Karen away with Mal and Willie to go play somewhere else. Karen started to protest but then saw the look on my face and thought better of it. I stayed in the wheelhouse and waited for Lois. Instead, Tracie got there first.
“I wanted to know you were okay,” she said. I just shook my head, the pain both physical and emotional shown on my face. I could see tears well up in her eyes. She moved to touch me when Lois came in.
“What happened?” I remained silent. “Ryan?”
I took a deep breath and tried to say something, but the tears were in the way.
“Keith… Dead… Saved me… I’m sorry…” It was all I had. The pain rushed in and I paused.
Tracie wrapped her arms around me from behind and even Lois who kept a lot in put her hand on my face.
“Are you hurt?” she asked. I nodded.
“My right ankle. It’s sprained pretty bad. I’ve done it before.” Talking was easier now with Tracie there.
Lois knelt done to examine my ankle and I stopped her.
“It’s not important right now. Pat lost her son. Tom lost yet another member of his family. Go help them, both of you. I am not going anywhere.”
Neither one moved.
“They need help more than me. And the boat is full of supplies. When you’re done, send somebody to help me off.”
“Stay off your foot,” Lois said. I nodded and she turned and left.
Tracie lingered a moment then unwrapped her arms. I immediately felt cold.
“Thank you,” I said. But she was gone.
Alone with my thoughts now. I could hear Pat crying. I could hear the boat being unloaded. I didn’t know Keith very well but he was a good young man, that was obvious. And I knew what Tom had been through since all this started. Except for John, Pat and Willie his whole family was gone. And two of them died on my watch. First Barb, at the house we sought shelter in during our escape from Preston’s gang. Now Keith. I was responsible for Keith. If I hadn’t fallen…
“You’re not responsible, you know,” said Tony as he came in to the wheelhouse.
“Getting around pretty good now with that cane, I see. Of course I’m responsible Tony. I’m in charge.”
“That just means we all follow you. You can’t save everyone. I think you know that.”
“I know that people are dying all around me and I can’t fucking do anything about it.”
“Good, now learn to accept that,” he said. “I’m going to go see if the kids will let me play with them so Karen can help with the boat.” I nodded and he left.
Mike came to help me off the boat. The hardest part was transfering to the dock. I ended up putting my foot down and screamed a little at the sudden pain. I sat in one of the carts that we took from Patriot’s point on the previous trip and Mike pushed me up to the fort. I felt helpless.
Tracie met me at my campsite.
“ACE bandage and painkillers. Lois said that if you don’t stay off it then you’ll never heal.”
“Got it.” I downed a painkiller right away and began to wrap my ankle. I know how to do it but wrapping your own injured ankle is different than wrapping your uninjured ankle. And it hurt like hell.
“Let me.”
Tracie knelt down, gently taking my foot and putting it in her lap.
“I’ve done this before for my husband.” She was careful but it was painful to keep my foot in the right position. I didn’t want her to see me cry anymore but if she noticed, she didn’t show it. When she was done she piled up a jacket and a blanket and put my foot on top.
“Keep it elevated. Want some company?”
“I’m not going to be very good company right now.”
“You’re not going to be very good company for yourself either. But, I’ll leave you. Yell, if you need something.” I thanked her and was alone. Eventually Thor found me and curled up next to my legs. I had to adjust slightly so he wouldn’t put pressure on my ankle but the dog was warm and reminded me of better times.
I watched the inhabitants of our little home move about trying to put the supplies away. No one was happy today.
Tony came by with Mal and Willie. Mal seemed very nervous and anxious.
“Daddy, did you get bit?’
“No, buddy. Is that what you’re worried about?” He nodded. “No, I got scared and fell down. When I did, I twisted my ankle. That’s all.”
“You were scared?’
“Yep, I was very scared.”
“But, you weren’t bit?”
“No, but I won’t be able to walk for a few days. You and Tabby will have to help out some, Okay?” he nodded.
As Tony was taking them away, Thor woke up and started licking my face. Doggy kisses are sometimes just what you need. That and good painkillers. I was soon asleep.
I dreamed of zombies and bug spray. Of doors and screaming. Of shots fired and crying. It was not restful.
Soon after I awoke, I could see Tom and John up on the top of Battery Huger. They were digging Keith’s grave just to the south of Sam’s. I needed to make a marker for Sam. I had thought she’d be the only grave up there. That her monument would be a monument for all the ones who had died so we could be safe here. I had thought we were safe here. Foolish.
Tabby appeared in front of me with some dinner.
“Mike said you might want some alone time.”
“Not from you. Never from you, Tab”
“Sorry, how’s the ankle?”
“Bad, but nothing I haven’t done before. It’ll be ok. I just need to stay off of it.”
“There’s gonna be a funeral for Keith in a bit. They’re gonna put him up near Mom.”
“I saw,” I said, looking up at the top of the Battery. “I don’t think I’m going to make it up there.”
“Okay, you need anything?”
“Nah, thanks.” She kissed me and left. I had to pee but I wasn’t going to let her help with that. But, when she left I downed the water bottle I had and rolled over onto my side away from the parade ground and filled the bottle. I didn’t get too much on me.
When I rolled back over, Tony was there.
“You’re pr
etty quiet for an old man.”
“You were busy. Are you in a better place now?’
“You mean do I still feel responsible for Keith’s death? Yeah, I do. I’m tired of people dying, Tony.”
“It’s not up to you, it’s God’s will.”
“Where exactly do you see God in all of this?”
“Everywhere. Just like always.” I shook my head. I was not a fan of God today. “I see Him in the miracle of you guys finding supplies for us. I see Him inus finding this fort for shelter. I see Him in the eyes of my wife, your children and this pregnant woman we found. She’s a sign, Ryan. That life goes on. And, today God needed Keith. Either for something up there,” he pointed up. “or, for us to learn something down here.”
“Learn what?”
“I don’t have all the answers, Ryan. That’s why I trust in God.”
“When did you get all this religion?”
He knelt down next to me.
“Back when all this started, Beth was asleep and I was up keeping watch. It was right after we lost contact with our boys, there was nothing going on outside. I sat down in the recliner for a moment to relax and found myself on my knees talking to God. I went to church, of course, but mostly for Beth and the boys. But, I wasn’t sure how this was all going to end so I prayed to him that we would find a way through. If we were worthy, if He had a plan for us, He just needed to give us a sign and we’d follow. The next night you, Mike and the kids showed up. God, sent me a sign, Ryan. He sent you. And we ended up here. This, all of this, is Gods will.”
I sat silently for a minute pondering what Tony said. God was not something I believed in. if this was His doing He was an evil son of a bitch. Part of me wanted to give up control, give up responsibility for the group. But, Gods, will?
“We should get up there,” said Tony.
“I can’t make that climb.”
“You have to.” Tony just looked at me. Damn.
It took almost thirty minutes, a gallon of sweat, a cane and help from three different people but I made it up to the top level. All I could do once I got up there was sit and pant and try not to pass out.
When it was time, everyone gathered while Tom and John placed the body next to the hole. There were no tears. No one had any to spare now. I didn’t want to be responsible anymore. I wish Tom, Mike or Tony would just step up and take over. And at the same time would I trust anyone else with the safety of my children? Probably not.
Tom cleared his throat.
“I am so tired of death. Ever since this all started there’s been nothing but death. Zombies, then humans now zombies again. It goes on and on. There’s almost none of my family left. Today we put Keith in the ground. He was a good young man. Worked hard. Listened. Fought hard. He was an important part of the family and ythe group. He will be missed.”
Tom stepped back and looked over at Pat who shook her head. John had his arm around his aunt and he shook his head too.
Tony kicked me subtly, well as subtly as you can kick someone. I knew what he wanted. I was expected to speak. It was the last thing I wanted to do. It was my fault that Keith was dead. And I didn’t really trust what was going to come out of my mouth. But, I reached up and Mike grabbed my hand. Tracie helped steady me and I rose. I had to pause because I felt lightheaded.
“Keith died saving my life. I will beforever grateful. And I’m sorry he’s gone. Our future needs good young men like him if we are going to survive as a people. He will be missed. And our future is a little less bright. As hard as it is, we have to go on. We have others that depend on us. So, tonight we mourn the loss of yet another bright life. But tomorrow we go on fighting to survive.”
It was all I had. Mike helped me sit back down. Sweat dripped from my face and I hung my head. Tony appeared beside me
“I’m not sure that was the uplifting speech everyone needed to hear.”
“It’s all I’ve got Tony. I’m not really cut out for all this. Hell, Sam was my backbone and now she’s gone. I’m out of my league here.”
“You’re stronger than you know,” he said. Tracie nodded.
Mal came over and sat in my lap. It hurt but I didn’t care.
“How’s your foot daddy?
“It hurts buddy. How are you doing?’
Okay. Willie and I play zombies.”
“Oh, how do you play?”
“We don’t really have rules.”
“Then how do you know who wins?” I asked.
“Nobody wins.”
Saturday, January 3, 2015
“Boat! I see a boat!” It was Tabby’s voice over the radio.
I jumped up and remembered that I couldn’t do that just a moment too late.
“Fuck,” I yelled as I went back down. My ankle throbbed. I popped another pain pill. Looked like I was going to need it today.
It seemed as if everyone was moving up to the top of the Battery to see what Tabby was talking about. Tony came and joined me at my campsite.
“It’s killing you, isn’t it?” he asked. “Not being up there.”
“Yeah, I need to know what’s going on.” I reached for the walkie.
“Talk to me Tabby,”
“Dad, it’s a boat.”
“Yeah, honey I got that part. Tell me about it.”
“It’s one of the other Fort Sumter boats.”
“Do you see any people?”
“A few.”
“Dammit Tabby. How many?”
“Sorry, sorry. Ah, I see four plus whoever is driving. They’re still pretty far out. Next to Castle Pinckney.”
“10-4, Tabby. Thank you. Sorry for yelling. Can you stay up there and keep watch? I need everyone else down here with your gear in five minutes.”
By the time they gathered I had a plan.
“Karen, Pat, who’s the better shot?”
“She is,” said Pat, pointing at Karen. Karen nodded.
“Ok, Pat take the kids and go down into the Battery and hide with the supplies. Take a radio, bolt the door. Tracie go with her. Go.” Tracie looked like she was going to protest then decided not to. Good, I didn’t want to explain why I wanted her safe.
“Lois and Karen. I need you on top the case mates. Take radios, stay low.”
That left me, Mike, Tom, John, Tony and Beth.
“Mike, I want you on the Beauregard. Take a radio, stay out of sight. If the shit hits it I want you to surprise them from another front.”
He nodded then looked up at Tabby before turning to go.
“Mike, stay low. I don’t want them to see you.”
I put Beth in charge of locking up after we went out.
“Let’s get started. It’s gonna take me and Tony a little longer to get out there.”
“Speak for yourself, hop along. I’m doing good with the cane.”
“Fine then you can help me.”
Even with the cane and a lot of help, the walk down to the end of the pier was painful and slow. The other boat was pretty close by the time we got out there.
“Mike, you got a good spot?”
“10-4, Boss Man.”
“Alright, keep your radio low and be ready.”
“10-4.”
“Ryan,” said Tony. “We haven’t really talked about this in detail.”
“There’s a lot of variables. If they start shooting, well then we’ll know they’re bad guys. Otherwise, we’ll talk a bit. Maybe invite the leaders in for breakfast. Talk amongst ourselves. See what happens..”
Tom nodded but didn’t say anything. Come to think of it, he hadn’t said much at all this morning.
As the boat drew up to the pier there were eight people including the guy driving. Four of them had military uniforms and I could see two women and a boy about Tabby’s age. The guy driving had as much, or as little skill as I had and the line handling was clumsy and slow.
“I don’t like seeing the uniforms,” said John.
“Might be a good thing,” I replied.
Once
they were tied up the four uniformed men stepped off the boat and came towards us. They had handguns in tactical thigh holsters but no rifles. I had no doubt there were rifles trained on us from somewhere.
“Good morning,” said the taller of the men. He was wearing insignia that indicated rank.
“Good morning to you as well,” I replied. “But that’s close enough for now.”
The men stopped about 30 feet away. The man with the rank spoke again.
“I’m Captain Ron Rendina of the U.S. Air Force.”
“Is there a U.S. Air Force anymore Captain? What’s the word from the government? Is there anything left?”
“No. No, there’s nothing left that we know of.”
“Damn, when I saw the uniforms I thought maybe… Well, doesn’t matter now. I’m Ryan Knight. I am the leader of the group out here at the fort.”
I introduced my people and he introduced his.
“I’m sorry for the cold reception, Captain. We were attacked on Johns Island by another group of survivors. People who preyed on others to get by. We lost a lot of people and barely escaped. I’m not as trusting as I used to be.”
“I understand completely, Mr. Knight. But we are refugees, not conquerors.”
“That’s for us to decide. Captain. My family is in there.” I pointed to the fort. Captain Rendina nodded. “I need to be sure.”
“How would you like to proceed?” he asked.
“Slowly. First, understand that we mean you no harm. We just want our families to be safe. If we wanted your supplies you’d be dead. That’s not who we are.”
Rendina nodded.
“And, I hope you understand the same, Mr. Knight. We all want the same thing, safety.”
“Do your people on the boat have enough supplies for breakfast?” He nodded. “Then why don’t the four of you join us inside for a bite to eat?”
“That would be fine, Mr. Knight.” He grabbed a walkie off his belt. “We are going to go inside the fort and break some bread with these nice folks. Call if there’s any problems”
I grabbed my walkie.
“Beth, would you get the gate for us. We’re gonna have these folks in for breakfast. Mike, you can bring it in, too.”
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