Dark Rhodes: Book 1 of the Ashleigh Rhodes Chronicles

by Michael Canon

  “Come on Gary, you can figure this out.” piped in Doc Grant, “They were rocking back and forth, rubbing up against each other, correct?”

  Gary nodded, “Rocking, some almost twisting back and forth.” but he looked just as lost.

  Leaving his seat, Grant walked over to him, “Okay Gary, what do you do when you’re outside, and your hands are really cold?”

  Gary, as well as many of the others all responded at once, “Rub them together!”

  Sitting back down Grant said, “Exactly, they are creating friction, friction generates heat. They are keeping themselves from freezing. Bees and other colony insects will do the same thing. The movement you witnessed was to give the zombies on the outer edge of the group time in the center where it’s warmer.”

  We all just added another page to our internal “Proper Care and Feeding of Zombies” books, as we absorbed Grant’s observations.

  We used the extreme cold to set up lures and traps along the horde’s route. Ronnie and Bret took my idea and ran with it. They cleared out an industrial building along the zombie’s most likely route. They used cars, trucks, buses – anything they could to block side streets and create a way to funnel the undead to the building.

  Smiling proudly, Ronnie said, “We’ve set up speakers all along the route. As the Georges, love your name for them, get close, the sound moves to the next speaker. It should funnel them right into the building.”

  Bret added, “We’re gonna drop venison on the road along the way, not a lot, just enough to keep them moving to the warehouse. There will be two big wire cages full of deer guts near the back of the building. Gary and the others have already covered the floor with pallets and shit that will burn. The building’s sprinklers have been modified to spray gas all over the zombies.” I was impressed with how much had been done in such a short time.

  The crazy New England weather jumped us back up to the mid-40s on the sixth day of our preparation duties. The Horde, and unfortunately quite a few Hunters, poured out of their hidey-holes like ants out of a flooded nest.

  The Hunters were being taken out by people assigned to just that task. Each heavily armed and armored team of five included two shotguns, two military-style rifles, and one sniper. Each member was armed with a handgun as well as a bludgeoning weapon, but no one wanted a Hunter close enough to the latter. The teams proved very effective, even against multiple Hunters. We only had three minor and one serious injury, and no deaths, as we made the final preparations for the coming horde.

  We used lures, electrical as well as human to guide the horde the way we wanted them to go. Gary and his Lunatics, as they called themselves, were using dirt bikes and ATVs to keep just ahead of the mass of undead. One of the group was lost when they pushed their luck and got too close. Another had to be rescued from a tree when their bike stopped working.

  From the roof a building along the route, Ronnie radioed, “They are close now, get ready with the meat!”

  The Lunatics headed down the street leading to our trap building. They got ahead of the horde and started hooting and hollering from a safe distance. With the horde closing in, they all shot down an open side street. The street was closed off with a moving truck as the last of Gary’s group passed by.

  Lacrosse sticks, of all things, were being used to launch warm venison onto the roadway below. Necessity has always been the mother of invention. The zombies fell on the offered meat as fast as they could. The mass of undead was galvanized into motion as the first speaker came on. They surged forward towards the sound.

  “Help us! They’re on the roof!” came across my radio.

  I looked around, finally spotting five to eight Hunters climbing the blocking vehicles onto a roof three houses down and across the street.

  I grabbed my radio, “All rooftop teams, check behind you! Hostiles in the area! Hunters are climbing the blocking vehicles!”

  With a thousand-plus Georges milling around below, physically helping them was impossible. I raised my M4, but couldn’t find a clear shot. I could hear the team being torn apart on the backside of the roof. Someone within the team got off a half-dozen shots from a shotgun before they went down. Another member jumped off the front roof, trying to land one of the two buses blocking the next road. He slipped off and into the arms of the waiting horde. A surviving Hunter jumped onto the same buses, then launched itself for the next roof.

  It was quickly followed by two more of the killer zombies. Gaining purchase, the Hunter climbed the roof, looking for its next meal. We all opened fire, quickly cutting down the exposed Hunters. Gunfire echoed up and down the street as more Hunters arrived. The Georges below, frenzied by the sounds of battle and screams of the victims were not moving towards the building anymore.

  It took almost 20 minutes until the final Hunter was put down. I had no idea how bad our casualties were, but it didn’t look good. I heard screaming much further up the street and was worried more Hunters had arrived. Looking down the road, I saw a man in the middle of the road! He was yelling at the Georges.

  I borrowed a scoped hunting rifle from the woman next to me to get a better look. Focusing in on the individual, I realized it was Randy! I could see he was bleeding from multiple wounds on his arms, chest, and back. I watched as the Georges refocused their attention on Randy and started to move forward. My radio crackled, it was Randy, his voice was full of pain.

  “I’m gonna pack these bastards in here! You set it off as soon as we’re full!

  A few people responded for him to come out, but Randy was having none of it.

  “I can’t leave, I’m bit, I can feel myself going! I won’t become one of these fuckers! I’m gonna die like a man! I love you all.”

  We all watched as over a thousand zombies followed him into the large building with more trying to get in. I heard John’s voice over the radio, “It’s full, do it.”

  Seconds later we watched as a massive fireball engulfed the building. There were crews to help with wildfires, as well as undead stragglers. I wasn’t part of either. I was too upset to stay longer than I needed to. I slipped away and back to the compound to hug and hold the kids.

  The next morning’s meeting was earlier than normal. It was much more somber and had more empty seats.

  John, tired and red-eyed, said, “We lost 13 people last night. I’m taking the blame for this, I knew the fast ones could climb, but never thought…..”

  Gary said, “We’re all responsible, we got cocky when the weather was cold. We let our guard down. We honor them, learn from our mistakes and do better next time.”

  After the meeting I headed for the small camper I shared with the kids and Mr. Crowley. I met them all on the steps as Melody took Jace to breakfast. Seeing me, Melody enveloped me in one of her signature bear hugs. Followed by Jace giving me a kiss and a snuggling in as I picked him up. I scrubbed Crowley’s head as we left the trailer to get some food.

  Watching the kids eat, I thought more about what Gary said. We did get cocky from the cold. It was scary to think how quickly we forgot that Hunters could climb. He was right, we let our guard down while we swam around in our intellectual superiority.

  Melody finished her meager breakfast and asked, “How soon can we leave?”

  I looked at her with concern, “How about tomorrow morning we head up there to see if we can find your Aunt and Uncle?” Melody looking relieved, she sighed her reply, “Please, Yes!”

  I met with Judy and John later in the day, telling them our plans.

  John said, “The area you’re headed into is pretty sparsely populated with ghouls, but there are a lot of folks like the kids’ aunt and uncle. Be careful, some are more likely to shoot first and apologize later. Most of the roads are clear, but Pittsfield is a mess, I’d go around it if I were you.”

  49

  With the morning sun still low on the horizon, we finished loading our truck, said our goodbyes. Gary walked up and hugged me tightly, as I was about to shake his hand. His expression was
calm, and his demeanor was that of a man who faced his demons and won.

  He handed me a brown paper wrapped package and said, “A handshake and hug isn’t enough for someone who helped me back from the dark place I was in.”

  I opened it to reveal a beautiful Heckler & Koch USP .40 pistol, an ankle holster, and half a dozen spare magazines.

  “Melody told me you gave her your backup piece, I figured you needed a replacement.”

  I hugged him tight and kissed his cheek, “Thank you, Gary, this is awesome!”

  He smiled, “No, thank you Ashleigh. It will never be enough for what I owe you. I hope you find your family, and if you ever get back here, you will always have a friend.”

  John said, “If you need ammo for it, go see Walt, he’d love to have you drop by before you leave.”

  Judy walked up as Gary moved back and said, “You be careful out there. I packed couple coolers full of supplies, and a couple bags of clothes and stuff. Please be safe, we’ve grown awfully fond of you three... I mean four.” as she picked up Crowley and loved on him, with a tear-filled smile.

  John pulling me aside. “You are a hell of a fighter and an even better person. We’re sure gonna miss you. I can see there’s more to you than you’re letting on, and that’s okay. We all have our secrets. Trust has to be earned, and you’ve earned mine. You ever need anything, you let me know. If I can help, hell or high water, you can be damned sure I’ll be there.”

  After a quick trip to the armory for some ammo and some more goodbyes, we pulled out of the driveway.

  I felt sad but also relieved to be on the road again. Swede wanted me to help bring us back from the brink. At first, I wasn’t sure how I was going to do that. Maybe this was how. Just show up. Show up and help bring people back from the brink.

  As uncertain as I was about my future, and what I had become, I felt much better than I had in a long time.

  50

  We’d been on the road to New Ashford for about five hours. A couple impassable roadblocks forced us to backtrack for miles to get around them. If I had been alone, I would have taken more risks to bypass them. I wasn’t taking any chances with the kids.

  We were back to making really good time when, “Ashwee, my pull-up is wet, and I need to potty again.” was announced from the back seat.

  I frowned, we were still 20-or-so miles from Mike’s place, but responded, “Okay Jace, give me a minute to find somewhere safe.” I replied, thinking “Was anywhere really safe now?”

  A few minutes later we pulled into a rest area with a scenic overlook.

  A simple, “Wait here.” was all I needed as I jumped out to check the area.

  I cleared the concrete block, outhouse-style restrooms and beckoned the kids out of the truck, having them leave the driver’s door open for a quick exit. I had us all go into one restroom to keep us together. Jace, being three, had other ideas.

  Melody cried out, “Jace! No! Stay here!” as she ran to catch her escaping brother.

  Cursing loudly, I finished quickly and hurried out to catch them.

  I exited the restroom to see the kids about 20 feet from me. An overweight man with neon orange hair and a heavily made-up face, a leather vest, a yellow tutu, and blue cowboy boots was pointing a large caliber revolver at them. I felt someone next to me and turned my head to see a skinny, hairless, evil-looking man with his whole head painted red and two beard braids pointing a 9mm at me.

  Mr. Tutu said brightly, “Well hello there sweet cheeks, come on out and join the party! See Red Head, my luck is improving!” getting a creepy laugh from his red-headed friend.

  By the looks of the two of them, I figured they must be former members of the Raiders group from down south.

  Mr. Tutu continued, “Oh Dear! Where are my manners! We’ve never been formally introduced! My name is Mondo, attorney at law, well that was before my time at Club Fed!

  My therapist told me I shouldn’t dwell on the past. I carry that wonderful piece of advice with me like a cherished heirloom. It was the last advice she gave me.”

  He laughed evilly and continued, “It was the last advice she gave anyone. It inspired me so much I slit her throat after she said it.”

  Sighing heavily he said, “Well, enough about me, what’s your name sweet-cheeks?”

  I stared at him but said nothing. Anger flashed across his face, as he stepped closer to the kids and cocked his gun.

  “Feisty, feisty, feisty! I said, “What’s your name sweet-cheeks?!””

  I growled, “My name is Ashleigh, and if you hurt those kids, I’ll bleed you dry.”

  An insane smile cracked his heavily made-up face, “Oh Buttercup, you misunderstand me! I’d never harm any of you! You are all just in time to help me with the rebirth of my empire.”

  I interrupted him, “Wow, you are as crazy as a bag of wet cats. Why would we help you with anything?”

  He danced a little jig and pirouetted, before replying.

  “Oh, it won’t be a willing rebirth on your part, but it will be very profitable for me! You see, meat of your caliber is worth a lot! Hell, I can get enough food, ammo, and guns for you and her to create a small army.”

  He danced around again, finishing with a terrible soft shoe, pointing his gun at Jace.

  “And I know a guy that will triple that, or more, to be able to party with someone as delicious as this little o….”

  Before Mondo could finish, Melody was a blur, covering the 10 feet between him and her in less than a second.

  She screamed, “No! I’ll kill you!”

  Mondo, shocked momentarily immobile at her speed, could only get off one wild shot. Melody hit him hard enough to slam him into and over the knee-high wall that bordered the lookout from the wilderness. Jace screamed as the two flipped over the wall and out of sight.

  I launched myself at Red Head, taking a round in the left side. I slammed him into the wall of the outhouse hard enough to break a couple blocks. While Jace looking over the wall for Melody, I tore out Red Head’s throat. Feeding only on his blood. I drank till I felt his heart stop, as my body pushed the bullet out.

  Dropping the trash, I wiped my face with a hand, and I ran to Jace. I looked over the wall to see Melody about 10 feet below us, with her lips pressed to Mondo’s neck!

  I turned Jace away, and told him, “I need your help, can you go protect Mr. Crowley for me?”

  He cried, “Melody! Can you help her Ashwee?”

  “Yes, Baby, but I need you to help me with Mr. Crowley while I help Melody. Can you do this for me?”

  His bottom lip trembled, but he stood up straight and ran to the truck.

  “Lock the doors, Jace, we’ll be right back.”

  I watched him climb in and yank on the driver’s door as hard as he could. Just as I was about to run to help him, the door passed the stay open point and shut with a thud. I rewarded his effort with a “Good job Jace! Stay there, I’ll be right back.”

  I jumped down to Melody as she fed. She looked up and hissed at me before she went back to feeding. I was surprised at how feral she looked. She only fed on his blood, as I had with Red Head. Mondo was actually still alive as he looked at me with terror-filed eyes.

  I leaned over him, smiling a bloody smile and whispered, “Not so lucky now are you Hondo? Guess your big plans are in the dumps you sick fucking bastard. I hope you rot in Hell. Say Hi to Red Head for me.”

  Melody finished and tried to leave. I grabbed her and pulled her to me. She fought, hissed and growled until I started talking to her.

  “Mel, Jace needs us, Baby! He’s up there all alone! We have to go help Jace!”

  I’m not sure if it was my voice or her brother’s name, but she calmed down immediately.

  After a few seconds, she spoke, “You can let me go now. I guess we need to talk, don’t we?”

  I let her go, looking into her eyes, “Yes, but let’s get up top first.”

  Jace was right where I left him. He brightened up and yelled for
Melody. I opened the rear driver’s door and grabbed some bottled water and a couple towels from our supplies.

  As I closed the door, he yelped, “Ashwee, the door got my foot! It hurts!”

  I quickly opened the front driver’s door, releasing his foot trapped between the door and the seat.

  I handed the towels and water to Melody, “Go get cleaned up, while I check Jace’s foot.”

  She nodded and headed to the restroom.

  I sat him on the driver’s seat and removed his sneaker and sock.

  As I examined his foot, he asked, “Are all the bad men gone Ashwee? Is Melody okay?”

  I leaned for a quick hug, and said, “Yes Baby, they’re gone. Your sister saved us.”

  His eyes got huge. “She saved us? Really? She’s like a superhero? Helpin’ people that need to be saved from bad guys?”

  Melody was standing on the far side of the truck door, out of Jace’s line of sight, tears running down her face.

  I looked at her and said, “Yes, Jace, she’s a hero just like that.”

  Looking back at him, “You’re a tough little kiddo, your foot is fine. Good job keeping Mr. Crowley safe.”

  We left the rest area as quickly as we could. I found diesel truck repair yard about 3 miles up the road. I pulled our truck behind the main building, under a maintenance overhang, for the evening. It was frustrating that a journey of just over 30 miles, backtracks included, was going to take us two days, but I didn’t want to search for Mike’s place in the dark. Melody and I waited to talk until after we ate dinner and Jace fell asleep.

  Once I was sure Jace was sleeping, I explained everything that had happened to me. She was shocked but also relieved as she was not alone in the world. Talking to Martin and Swede had helped, but Melody was a kindred spirit, she was almost family. It was like a burden was released off both our backs.