Dark Rhodes: Book 1 of the Ashleigh Rhodes Chronicles

by Michael Canon

  I asked, “Is that enough to stop Hunters – the fast ones? And what is a Raider?”

  Judy replied, We weren’t prepared for the fast ones.. ..Hunters at all. Guess we thought we knew what a zombie was already. We’re working on a more permanent solution for keeping them out.”

  “As for the Raiders, there’s a slew of prisons over the border into New York. There was a big breakout at one after the Deaders started showing up. Some sad-sack local politician thought it was cruel to leave the prisoners locked up while the world went ass-up, so he let them out. Karma turned around and bit him in the ass big time, though.”

  She looked at the kids, then leaned over and said quietly, “Guess he became someone’s pet for a while until he got caught trying to escape, then that was that.”

  “Anyway, it seems that one of the prisoners was from around these parts and brought a whole bunch of his buddies back here. They took to dyeing their hair horrible colors and cutting it into Mohawks and such while wearing a ton of makeup.

  They make ridiculous clothing combinations like a football helmet, motorcycle goggles, a leather jacket, and bicycle shorts. I’ve seen the girls wearing body armor like yours with nothing under it, thong underwear and snow boots! It’s winter in Massachusetts for God’s own sake!

  Anyway, they started calling themselves “Raiders” on top of it. It’s not very original if you ask me. Our group thought of them as a minor threat, but they have been adding members, and found some better weapons.” Pointing to the right, Judy said, “Our turn is coming up, dear.”

  Turning onto a gravel driveway, I saw it was blocked by an old school bus with sheets of heavy plate steel covering the windows. Similar metal skirting hid the tires and exposed area under the vehicle. Impact points from various bullets dotted the side of the bus. A small metal watchtower clad in the same steel looked down from the right side of the drive.

  A heavily armed man in the watchtower waved to us and whistled loudly. We waited as the bus moved to the side, before continuing down the long driveway towards a large farmhouse. Judy had me park in an open area at least 100 feet from the house.

  She turned to me and said in a serious tone, “Ashleigh, now listen carefully, you can keep your weapons, but you need to know you’ll be under constant surveillance until we have time to vet you. This means you too, little Miss.” turning to look at Melody.

  Melody looked her straight in the eyes, and said, “As long as no one tries to hurt my brother... or Ashleigh, we’ll get along just fine.”

  Judy was momentarily shocked, but then laughed, “Don’t worry honey, we’re the good guys, I promise.” as she opened the door and slid out of the truck.

  I exited my side and opened the rear door to get Jace, but he was already getting out with Melody on the other side. I closed the door and moved to join everyone on the other side of the pickup.

  I took in sights and sounds, quickly understanding this was more than just a farm. I could see various RV’s, campers, and even a couple mobile homes parked in neat rows in the field to the right of the house. A huge barn to the left and behind the house had a large group of military vehicles around it. I also noticed all the people I saw were busy working, Other than a couple women watching some small children in a fenced in area next to the house, I couldn’t find anyone that was sitting still.

  The last thing that caught and held my attention was the huge American flag at the top of a 30-foot flagpole on the right side of the walkway.

  “This is still America, and I plan on keeping it that way,” announced John in a voice that brooked no argument

  I guess my expression was more readable than I thought, because Judy smiled, rubbed my arm, and said, “Let’s get you and the kiddos in the house. You look like you could use a little company, some food and a lot of rest.”

  47

  We’d been with the Webster’s for four days. Jace and Melody spent the mornings in the small school set up in one of the trailers. Jace spent the afternoons at daycare, while Melody helped sort supplies. Everyone thought Melody was one of the most polite and hardest working eleven-year-olds they ever met.

  While Melody, Jace, or I were away, Mr. Crowley became an almost permanent fixture on the front porch railing. He looked like he was surveying his kingdom. I think he chose the porch because of the constant affection he received from those passing by him. Even the snow squall of two mornings ago only moved him to one of the rocking chairs nearer to the front door.

  Judy found out Melody’s 11th birthday was the day we all met each other and threw her a party with gifts coming from many of the folks in the warehouse. The same folks were kind enough to usher me into the warehouse that morning to find something for Melody. I settled on some jeans, a new pair of work boots, and beautiful silver and gold necklace with an angel pendant.

  She looked extremely thankful, embarrassed and a little hurt at the same time. “I miss my Dad and Mom. It’s really nice being around these people, though. Thank you for everything” as she hugged me tightly. Returned the hug, It felt really good to have a little “almost normal” in my life right now, even if I couldn’t get the smell of gingersnaps out of my nose!

  The compound had just over 130 people, including 16 kids of ten or under. It was nice to see that so many good people had survived. Each day more people and equipment arrived from all over the local area. Some stayed, while others were given supplies before they headed out again.

  We had one incident where John, while backed up by a dozen other community members ejected a five-man group that arrived before we had. I’m not sure the reason behind them being forced to leave, but their departure was filled with a lot of swearing and middle fingers from those leaving.

  I was hanging out with Judy when the latest group arrived. As we processed them in, Judy told me they had started cleaning out every market, store, or shop for 10 miles out about 2 days after they started digging the berm. “We’ve got a lot of supplies. We even raided two National Guard Armories. Would have taken a third, but it was still manned. They’re to the north, we’re on good terms with them. Our biggest need now is a place for everyone to sleep. John is working with some folks to scrounge up every RV and camper they can find.”

  She wasn’t kidding about the supplies. The barn, nine shipping containers, and two 5th wheel trailers were loaded with everything from diapers to clothes, to canned food, to guns and ammo. The latter being locked up in one of the containers. No wonder the Raiders wanted this place.

  We’d only had one incident with the Raiders since we arrived. Randy, one of our snipers, ended up with a through and through gunshot wound to his outer left arm, below the shoulder.

  During dinner, he said, “I had just turned from lookin’ north to east. Would have caught it right in the ticker if I didn’t move when I did. Saw the blue mohawked bastard running off. He’s just lucky I couldn’t get my rifle up.”

  John frowned and said, “I was hoping the weather and the Deaders would solve this problem for us. I think we’re going to need to deal with them ourselves, sooner rather than later.” Eying certain people around the table.

  I spoke up, “I’d like to help you with that, I’m an ex-Marine, my Daddy was too, my brother and boyfriend are both former Air Force Combat Control. Fighting is in my blood, so to speak.”

  I got a fair share of positive looks, but heard a voice from the far end of the table, “Just because you and your daddy were a Jarheads don’t mean you can fight. My daddy was an accountant, it don’t mean I’m good at math.” earning my critic quite a few laughs.

  He stood up and walked over to near where I was sitting and continued, “Why don’t you just stay here and look pretty while you clean up and take care of the kids?” He was about 35 to 40 years old, about 6 feet tall, in fairly good shape, with dark, haggard-looking eyes and what could only be described as a shaggy mullet of black hair.

  John stood up fast and said, “Gary! I told you before, you will respect our guests, or you can find so
meplace else to live!” as he came around the table to join us.

  Gary gave us both dirty looks exclaiming, “John, you know I would die defending this place! You can’t think it’s okay to send her out just because she has some nice gear! It don’t mean she can fight!”

  “Try me. I’ve seen you eyeing my rifle since I arrived. If you beat me, it’s yours. If I beat you, you cut the bullshit and let me help. You’ve got a rifle range, and a hand to hand pit. You think I’m a poser, so try me, unless you don’t think you can hang… with a girl” I replied.

  Gary’s head whipped around, and I thought his eyes would bug out as he approached me, screaming, “How dare you! I lost my brother building this place! I don’t need to prove anything to you!” I turned towards John, addressing Gary over my shoulder, “Then shut the fuck up and let me fight. John, test me, I won’t let yo…”

  Gary grabbed my right shoulder in a very powerful grip, trying to spin me around. I crouched and spun my body towards his torso, breaking his grip by going the opposite way from what he expected. I completed my spin with an upward double fist punch to his sternum. To my surprise he danced backwards, diminishing the effectiveness of my strike.

  Judy bellowed, “Not in my house, take it outside!” as Gary rushed forward, his fists a blur of movement.

  I blocked each blow, retreating towards the now open front door. We struck, blocked and countered each other as we moved out into the parking area.

  Gary circled, goading me, “Ok, so you have some hand to hand skills. I’m gonna enjoy my new rifle when I drop you.”

  Fire and ice invaded my body as my anger grew. But this time I felt tempered with a calmness I never had before.

  I grinned at Gary, and said, “Has anyone ever told you that mullets are so 1987?”

  He roared as he charged me. Using his anger and momentum to my advantage, I countered his attack, then sent him sprawling across the frozen drive.

  Launching himself off the ground, Gary rushed forward, stopping this time before he got too far into my attack radius. His hands and feet were constantly trying to penetrate my defenses.

  He was fast, but my new body made it seem like he was moving in slow motion. I blocked and countered his moves, striking out, but not attacking. My tactic was working, I didn’t want to really hurt him, I just wanted him angry and off balance. With each unsuccessful or ineffective attack, his anger grew, and his combat and defense techniques faltered.

  I accepted a glancing blow to the left shoulder that was meant for my chin. His frustration had made him sloppy and undisciplined. He didn’t recover fast enough and left his torso open to my counter attack. I struck fast and hard three times on his right side. His armpit, the bottom of his ribs, and his kidney all in quick succession.

  As he gasped for air from the pain, I finished with a hammering back leg sweep that dumped him in the dirt again. He tried to jump up, but his body failed to respond, as he fell back to the ground again.

  Rolling away, he screamed, “You fucking bitch! I’m gonna kill you!” as he clutched his injured side.

  John stepped between us and said, “You’ll do no such thing. You started this bullshit when you put your hand on her, and she finished it! If you push this Gary, I will throw your ass out for good.”

  Changing to a more sympathetic tone, he continued, “I’m sorry about Jessie, we all are. But you need to stop fighting with the people inside these walls.”

  Turning to me, he continued, “Join us in the meeting trailer behind the barn at 8:00 am to discuss our Raider problem. Now, go see Doc Grant if you need to, both of you.”

  48

  The next morning, I opened the door to the meeting trailer and was greeted by Randy, his arm in a sling while he was healing. “Hey, Ash! Want some coffee?”

  I nodded yes, “Thanks, Randy. How’s the arm?”

  He frowned, “It only hurts when I breathe. I can’t shoot, but I can still think and discuss ideas, so here I am.”

  I turned to take a seat at the long folding table, ending up face to face with Gary.

  He looked me in the eye, before looking down and said, “Ashleigh, I want to apologize for the way I acted last night. Jessie was the last family member I…..”

  Before he could continue, I hugged him tight. He stiffened for a moment, then returned the hug. Breaking our embrace, his eyes were glassy with tears.

  I said, “I’m sorry about Jessie. We’ve all lost someone since this nightmare began. That means that we have to be better to the family and friends we have left. I forgive you, I’d like us to be friends if that’s okay with you?” holding out a hand.

  Gary shook my hand, then pulled me in for another hug, exclaiming, “Hell yes, I’ve got your six, just ask.”

  As I took my seat, I met John’s gaze. He raised his mug and mouthed, “Well done.”

  John spoke up, “Okay part of this is gonna be the best news we’ve had in a while. Our last scouting team came in late last night. They told us the Raiders camp is abandoned. Looks like they took what they could and left. I’m guessing Randy getting shot was a parting gift from one of them. The bad news is there’s a horde of over 1000 Deaders headed this way. The team was late because they had to go around them. It looks like we’re gonna need to prepare for an attack.”

  I smiled and pulled one of my last zombie lures out of my ever-present pack. I’d lost the rest when I had to abandon Frank’s CRV in Auburn. “This might help, or something like it.” John and the others looked on as I pulled the paper strip and tossed the lure to him. I collected it from John and popped the battery out and explained.

  “It’s a zombie lure. I made mine out of stuff I had available. We can do the same here. Portable radios with remotes, smartphones, alarm clocks, mp3 players, walkie-talkies, anything that can record or transmit a human voice can be used. A friend and I used a cd player with a remote and an audiobook in a house basement to torch over 400 zombies. We need to use our intellect to match their numbers and strength, and to take advantage of their stupidity.”

  The whole room erupted at the thought of using lures to keep people out of harm’s way.

  John talked with a woman I hadn’t met yet for a minute, then she left.

  While John talked to the other woman, Randy leaned over and whispered, “Thought you should know Gary ain’t a bad guy. He was a Ranger. Couple tours in Iraq. He watched a herd of Deaders trap and tear Jessie apart before he could help him. Heard it was brutal, he’s had a bitch of a time dealing with it.”

  I nodded my thanks as I thought about what I would do if my family was gone, or God forbid, zombies. I didn’t like my options either way.

  The woman returned with two younger men. I’d seen them working in the supply area.

  John said, “Ash, this is Ronnie and Bret. Both of them worked for years at a local car stereo and electronics store. Could you work with them to make more of your lures? It’s a damn fantastic idea, can’t believe we didn’t think of it.”

  We planned for another couple hours and then broke for lunch. I told the guys I’d meet them in the supply yard after lunch. Leaving the meeting trailer, I headed over to the school area to wait for Jace and Melody. Lunch with the kids was one of my favorite daily routines. I enjoyed the time with them immensely, even though it was almost always accompanied with a hint of gingersnaps.

  As they left their classroom, I couldn’t help but notice Melody always looked so relieved to get out of there. She was looking a little drawn and pale.

  As they approached, I asked her, “You okay? You need to see the doctor?” as I picked Jace up, placing him in his usual spot in my left arm and hip.

  She frowned, “No, I don’t need to see the doctor, I’m fine.”

  Pausing for a moment, she continued, “I like it here, the people are great, we’re safe, well fed, but….”

  I set Jace on the porch to play with Mr. Crowley before I asked, “But what?”

  She continued, “Our Uncle Mike and Aunt Carol live about 40
miles from here, near New Ashford. It’s where we were headed before-”

  Forgetting Crowley, Jace ran over and jumped up and down excitedly, “Are we going to see Uncle Mike-Mike? I love Uncle Mike-Mike and Auntie Cawol! They has raccoons, skunks, and deer! Daddy says they is crazy peppers!”

  I gave Melody a thoroughly confused look, causing her to giggle for the first time since we met.

  She explained, “He’s my Mom’s brother. He and my Auntie Carol live out in the middle of nowhere outside of Ashford. Daddy calls them crazy preppers because they are..”

  Finishing her sentence for her and smiling, I said, “….always preparing for the end of the world.”

  Nodding, she continued, “Yes, if anyone could survive this it’s Uncle Mike and Auntie Carol.”

  I thought about it for a minute, “Okay Mel, as soon as I’m finished helping John and Judy with their zombie problem, we’ll head north to see if they are still there. Fair enough?”

  She hugged me, “Yes, thank you for everything Ashleigh.”

  48

  Temperatures plummeted to near zero and stayed there. We counted it as a blessing as it stopped the horde’s progression towards us. Our real-life zombies cared a little more about self-preservation than the ones we read about or watched on TV or film. The undead could tolerate near to just below freezing conditions, but the bitter, near zero cold forced them to seek protection from it.

  One the second day of the big freeze we lost a member of a scavenger team when a Hunter erupted out a large pile of loose hay in a barn. The scavenger and scouting teams encountered multiple Georges packed tightly into cellars, rooms, barns, anywhere they could get out of the cold.

  Gary was one of the first to notice how they moved while packed together, but it was Doc Grant that figured out why.

  At our nightly, after-dinner meeting, Gary explained, “I found a cellar jam-packed with Moaners. We watched them for a while before we torched them. At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. They all had their heads down on their chests and were rocking back and forth, some would move towards the center of the group, while the ones in the center would move out. Made me think of a bunch of stoners tuning out at a Grateful Dead concert. I haven’t got a clue why they were acting that way though.”