The young man nodded. “Good. I figure we should do it before it gets dark out.” Joe said.
Several minutes later Keith, Jack and Ethan were in the library. Jack and Ethan were carrying the antenna, trying not to damage it as they maneuvered down the aisles of bookshelves. They made it to the access hatch and Keith pulled down a ladder that was set in the ceiling hatch.
Keith carried a serious looking bolt cutter, having noted the lock on the roof access hatch earlier. He reached up and within a couple of tries he had snapped the shackle. Keith regarded the teenagers as he took the chain down and tossed it to the side.
“Boosh!” He exclaimed with a deadpan expression.
Jack and Ethan looked confused.
“...” Keith waited for any response from the boys. “No? ... Alright.” With a shrug, he put down the bolt cutter and started climbing the ladder.
Keith pushed the hatch up and out, stopping when the hinges locked in the fully open position. Jack could see the sky outside, past the shape of Keith. The sun’s rays were hitting the top of the school in the late afternoon, casting a slight orange glow.
Jack handed the antenna up to Keith and ascended the ladder. Ethan was to station himself at the hatch and relay messages to Emily and his dad in the media room.
Jack noted the fresh air before he had made it to the top of the ladder. The air smelled clean. But at the very edges Jack could also detect the sharp tang of wood smoke.
Something is burning out there.
Jack hoisted himself through the hatch and on to the roof. He slowly got to his feet and stood next to Keith for a few moments. This was the new world. It was eerily devoid of human sounds. The lack of noise almost assaulted the ears – it felt to Jack like he was in a vacuum. It felt like their little group was utterly alone.
From their perch, they could see for several miles in most directions. Billowing grey and black clouds of smoke could be seen rising from a couple of places, the dark colours clashing heavily with the crisp light blue of the late afternoon sky. Near the top, sharp winds sheared the smoke into ugly streamers, which appeared to smudge the otherwise beautiful sky.
Why is it that everything man makes turns ugly? Jack pondered as he watched the dirty scar on an otherwise beautiful image.
He followed the smoke back down to their sources. Fires were raging unchecked through neighborhoods. Nobody was going to be putting them out.
Jack could clearly see the nearest fire. It was less than a mile away at what appeared to be a strip mall. It was close enough that he could even see the flames rising above the structure. The flames seemed to dance in the late afternoon air, moving in undulating orange, yellow and red waves as they were caressed by the wind.
Movement caught Jack’s attention. A few birds flew in the sky or hopped from perch to perch on the nearby power lines. Their lives unaffected by the apocalyptic events unfolding for mankind.
Jack looked around himself. The gym roof over to their right was about six feet higher than the main school roof. A small set of stairs was built from the lower level reaching up to it. Around the edge of the roof was a low ledge, about two feet in height. Jack couldn’t miss the impressive array of solar panels. There were two sets of solar banks, each with at least a dozen panels. One bank was set on the gym roof portion, while the other was on the main roof. The panels were set up at an angle on top of triangle frames and stood only about four feet high. Jack doubted that the army guys had noticed these, as they would be all but invisible from the ground.
Jack and Keith walked up to the triangular set up. Jack was nodding with pursed lips. “Impressive.” He said.
Keith turned to him with a quizzical look. “Do you know how these things work?”
“Yeah. Kind of. These panels collect energy from the sun’s rays. They should be connected to an inverter, which converts the DC to AC – That’s the electricity our appliances use.” He quickly added as he saw the look of confusion on Keith’s face. “We just have to see how things are set up inside, but I figure these banks” –he motioned to the two sets of solar panels– “should be enough to keep the electricity running for this entire school!”
It was Keith’s turn to nod with an impressed look. He motioned to Jack. “Ok kid, I think we’d better get started.” He moved off to find a suitable location for the antenna.
Keith knew what he was doing. Within several minutes he had picked out a good location, installed the brackets into the roof, and screwed the antenna in place.
He was working at the base of the antenna when he called out to Jack. “Hey Jack, do you see those cinder blocks over there? Can you bring me three of those, please?”
“Sure thing, Keith.” Jack walked over to the cinder blocks, wondering what Keith had in mind. It became clear to him as he was gathering the second cinder block though. Keith was fashioning anchors for the antenna, using the nylon rope he had with him.
A few minutes later, the antenna stood proud and straight, with three ropes attached about one quarter of the way up on the antenna on one end and tied to solid cinder blocks on the other ends.
“I think we’re ready to send the cable down.” Keith stated as he moved the rolled length of cable closer to the edge of the roof. The other end was securely plugged in to the antenna.
With a nod, Jack started to move towards the hatch to relay the message. The two men compulsively high-fived as they passed one another.
“Boosh?” Jack asked. Keith chuckled.
Jack jogged over to the hatch and passed the message to Ethan, who ran off immediately to relay it to Emily and Joe. Once Ethan was off, Jack jogged back to the edge of the roof near the corner and got down on his knees to started feeding the end of the cable over the edge. Keith held on to the antenna, to prevent it from being accidentally pulled down.
When he felt that he had fed enough cable, Jack poked his head out past the edge of the roof. With a few minor adjustments, he had the cable dangling in front of the open window. For a second, he grew worried that somebody would try to grab the cable with their hands. Reaching out the window would be risky, especially seeing as the cable was swinging in the wind. His worry was for naught though, as somebody had fashioned a hook out of a clothes hanger. The end of the cable disappeared into the open window in a matter of seconds, and the slack started to pull in. Jack played out the cable as it was being pulled in. There was still about five feet of slack when the pulling stopped. Jack heard the window swing shut below him.
“Ok, I think that does it.” He said to Keith. Keith released his grip on the antenna, as Jack grabbed a cable bracket and hammered it into the roof, securing the cable.
Jack was just getting up on to his feet when he felt Keith’s hand on his shoulder. Jack looked at the Oriental man and noted the intense look in his eyes. Keith pointed. Jack looked over and could see a person moving just over a block away. The person moved around in jerking motions, with the knee-bent gait that seemed to be common to the undead. Jack and Keith watched in silence as the figure would take several steps in one direction, jerk its head in another direction, and proceed to take several steps that way. It seemed to be heading towards the school.
Jack shuddered. He worried that his hammering had attracted the zombie, but just then there was a crashing sound further away. The zombie turned and scampered in the opposite direction.
Keith pointed again. Several more figures were moving around about a block further away. The lone zombie must have sensed or heard the group, because he had made a beeline for them. The lone zombie was lost from their view, and Keith and Jack took a knee to talk about it.
“Looks like that confirms that they are attracted to noise.” Jack said.
Keith nodded. “If they are the only ones making noise, then it stands to reason that eventually they will create groups.”
“I wouldn’t want to run into a group of them. One is bad enough!” Jack exclaimed.
“We should let the rest know.” Keith said.
The two men got back
to their feet and stared out into the world. The last rays of sunshine were bathing the two in warmth and light. The world was silent. Keith took a deep breath.
He looked over at the younger man standing beside him. “The air is fresher.”
“Yeah.” Jack contemplated for a moment. “I think I’d like to come back up here soon. It feels so... confined inside.”
Keith acknowledged Jack’s thought by taking another deep breath. “Ok. Let’s head back.”
Jack didn’t move though. His gaze was far away. After a moment he spoke. “It’s hard to believe that almost everybody is gone. We’re the lucky ones. I guess...”
He turned to face Keith.
“Hey Keith.” Jack hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Do you have anybody ... out there?” Keith could tell that Jack was embarrassed that he had asked. He knew that the kid meant well though.
“Yeah. I do.” He replied. He took a step closer to the edge of the school and looked out at the horizon. The last rays were fading in front of them, and behind them darker shades of blue were encroaching the skyline.
“My family.” He looked over his shoulder at the young man. “And my girlfriend.”
Jack waited for him to continue. A spasm of worry crossed Keith’s features. “My mom and dad live out on the west coast. I have a younger brother and sister too. They’re all out there.”
He faced the darkening western sky with a contemplative look. “I haven’t heard from any of them for several days. It sounded like they were all sick, except maybe my little sister.”
Keith took a breath and sighed. “My girlfriend... She’s a reporter. She was at the safe zone.”
“Really? Channel Eight?”
Keith nodded.
“Cool! What’s her name?”
“Cindy. She was amazing. I was the luckiest guy in the world.” Keith’s looked sad. The term ‘was’ wasn’t lost on Jack, and his expression turned somber as well.
“The last time I heard from her was a few days ago. She thought that she was infected.” Keith said with a sad nod of his head. He dropped his gaze to the roof at his feet.
Jack took a step closer and put his hand on Keith’s shoulder. “Sorry man.”
Keith glanced at the hand on his shoulder for a moment, then locked eyes with the younger man. He smiled softly. “Ok buddy. Let’s get inside.”
Chapter Thirty-nine
Tammy
October 31, 9:45 AM
Tammy woke up to find that it was already light outside. She was slightly surprised and embarrassed when she saw that Breanne and Steve were already awake and up. She had slept in.
I can’t believe that I slept through the night! I guess I’m getting used to the occasional gunshot. She lay in her cot for a few more seconds gathering her thoughts.
Huh. Today is Halloween. Our third day at this camp already. To go along with three nights of hell.
Their first night was awful. They had awoken half a dozen times at least, by sounds of gunshots.
That next morning, she found out that one of those gunshots had ended Collins’ suffering. Tammy wondered if it was Garcia or Brown who had taken care of their comrade. The two soldiers were stoic about it, but Tammy could see that they were hurting.
Collins. ... Robert was his name. ... Rest in peace, Robert.
“Morning.” Breanne had noticed her stirring.
Tammy sat up on the edge of her cot and stretched.
“Garcia dropped of some more MREs this morning. He also included some more of those eggs and bacon MREs.” Breanne said with a miniature happy dance. Tammy smiled despite herself. The stocky woman continued her one-man dance to the table and picked up a package. “Want some?”
Tammy decided that she did. Over breakfast Steve and Breanne told her of Garcia’s visit. They had left early that morning for another mission. Just like the day before, and the one before that.
The last two days had been very routine, which was disturbing, considering that the world was going to shit around them. The threesome would venture out during the day, when most soldiers were gone, and stayed in their tents when the soldiers were back. The only visitors they had were Brown, Garcia, and Mike and his team.
From them, they learned that whatever was left of the army was systematically trying to clear out the undead from major infrastructure ‘assets’. They had cleared the train station yesterday. Apparently, the station was now sealed up and ready for...
Ready for what? Tammy asked herself.
Just how many people are still alive out there? Why are they going to need a train? They’d be better off clearing some farms. Or a big bunker.
That triggered another line of thinking.
Why not go back to the safe zone? Surely there would have been some other survivors stuck in the camp?! It still bothered her. Shaw didn’t seem the least interested in saving human lives.
Tammy stopped her musings when Breanne put her breakfast on the table. “Get it while its hot! It’s not going to get better, that’s for sure!” Breanne stated with a smirk.
After Tammy had finished breakfast, the three companions went for their daily walk through the nearly deserted camp. They saw only about a dozen soldiers. Most of them were busy moving around body bags. They had made several circuits of the military camp but saw nothing new.
The conspicuous tent was still there. So were the two guards posted at the door.
Tammy remembered that first morning. Walking past that place. That gunshot ringing out from inside.
“I guess that’s where they...” Breanne trailed off, nevertheless giving voice to the thought they all had.
That’s where they kill the sick. Before they can turn.
Tammy wanted to see what was going on inside that tent. Curiosity won out yesterday, and she got brave and approached. She put on her most winning smile but was quickly deterred from looking inside the tent by the stern looks those two guards gave her.
Their best discovery also occurred yesterday, when they found a supply tent, manned by a very friendly young corporal and a burly but equally friendly private.
They ended up leaving that tent with military issue jackets, t-shirts and trousers, spare socks and underwear, a case of MRE’s and three survival kits – which were more of a curiosity than anything else – but the corporal had insisted that they take one each.
They went back to the supply tent this morning and once again picked up a good haul. This time they got some actual military gear. Helmets, proper boots, as well as some cool looking tactical knee and elbow pads.
Breanne decided that it was lunch time ‘or near enough’, after depositing the gear in their tent. So, she prepared them each a meal. Tammy had the chicken fajita, which sounded decent, but tasted anything but.
Tammy and Breanne relaxed in the tent for a while after that. The silence and perceived safety of the camp was such a sharp contrast to the constant nervousness at the old safe zone, that the two women felt like they were crashing from an adrenalin rush.
Steve was restless and watching the two women nod off in their cots was just not entertaining. After half an hour the boy took the opportunity to sneak out of the tent and go exploring.
IT WAS ABOUT ANOTHER hour later when Steve got back to the tent. The two women were still groggy when he started talking.
“I saw a couple of soldiers at the far fence – you know, the outside fence? Well I just happened to be watching them, and suddenly one of them kind of jerks, like he saw something. He talked into his radio, while the other guy raised his gun and shot ... whatever it was.”
Tammy and Breanne looked at the boy.
“I watched them for about ten minutes, and they did that another two times!”
The blank stares continued.
“I think there are zombies out there! I think they’re coming to this camp! But how did they track us to this location?” His eyes were wide.
“Steve, calm down.” Breanne ordered. She got up from her cot and walked over t
o the boy.
“But–” He started, but Breanne interrupted. “Listen, kid. I have no idea what you saw. Maybe it was zombies – I don’t know.” She hesitated for a moment, trying to come up with something reassuring. “It could have been a few stragglers from a nearby farm that just got attracted by all the noise that these testosterone-filled gun slingers make.”
Steve was about to speak again. Breanne’s temper flared and she stepped right up to the boy, who cowered despite standing a head taller than the stocky woman.
“No! Listen to me, Steve! Yes, there are zombies. There are fucking millions of them. Billions, probably! And yes, they’re all after us. We’ve seen that now. But you’re going to have to grow up real quick and not freak out every time one shows up!”
Steve dropped his gaze to the floor. His face was flushed. Breanne wasn’t done.
“I think the three of us” –she grabbed Steve’s sleeve and gestured towards Tammy with her other hand– “are going to have to learn to take care of ourselves. It might come down to ‘kill or be killed’. We got soldiers around for now, but they aren’t going to last. You know that.”
She let go of Steve’s sleeve and stroked his arm with a reconciliatory look.
“I don’t know why, but the three of us seem to be immune or something. So eventually it will just be the three of us. Or at least until we find others that are immune. We need to plan ahead. We should try to get some weapons. Does either of you know how to shoot a gun?” She asked. Tammy shook her head. Steve was still staring at his feet.
Breanne shrugged. “Yeah. Me neither. Shooting’s not my thing.”
She patted Steve on his back. “Come, I’ll make some tea. Let’s sit at the table and think about what we might need to... well, to survive.” Steve gave a half-hearted smile and Tammy got up from her cot to join them.
They were still contemplating when they heard the tell-tale noise of vehicle engines approaching.
“They’re back.” Steve stated excitedly. The teenager leapt to his feet and was out of the tent before his tentmates had gotten out of their chairs.
Apocalypsis Immortuos | Book 1 | Syndrome Page 27