Dead in the Valley

by C M Rutherford

  “I will get you the manpower and you set it up as you see fit. I defer to your expertise. You are the boss on this, just let us know what you need,” Wade said.

  Wade checked in on all the ongoing projects around the farm, talking with the inhabitants and offering words of praise and encouragement. He eventually found himself near the barn. Diana and Charlie were feeding the pigs. They looked to be having the time of their lives, doing what most would have considered mundane and cumbersome. Again, he regretted not bringing them out to enjoy the outdoors of the farm more before the zombie outbreak. He had a ton of fond memories of the farm from his youth. Wade stood watching his kids. They were the reason he would do whatever it took to keep this place safe.

  Charlie and Diana came running his way. Wade had had very little time to spend with his two youngest since the beginning of the outbreak. He felt bad about that, but it was unavoidable for the time being. Knowing his kids were safe was all that mattered to him at the moment. Both kids ran at him simultaneously as he scooped them into a big hug.

  "Uncle Ben said we are in charge of the animals," Charlie said excitedly.

  "Yep. We have to make sure they get fed, and he said we can ask others to help if we need them," Diana reported.

  "Well, I can't think of two better workers to give the job to," Wade said, giving them another squeeze. "What do you say we go see what they have in the way of breakfast today,” Wade said, leading Diana and Charlie towards the bunker.

  ◆◆◆

  Wade began organizing groups as soon as the kids and he had finished breakfast. He had a group of ten men going to the Kingsdown factory. They were to load up as many mattresses and as much bedding as they could find. The plant was a fair size, and there would be plenty of trucks to procure to move their supplies. Wade told the group to engage the dead only if they had to. He also instructed them to make sure they had people watching inside and out while they were loading up.

  Next, he sent three groups of four out to hit all the local truck stops, diners, and restaurants to gather non-perishable goods. He also instructed them to hit any firehouses, urgent care offices, ambulances, and doctors’ offices they could to gather any medical supplies available.

  He had a group of eight men making trips to the propane plant bringing in loads of propane. They had quickly gotten a 10,000-gallon tank set for each of the bunk houses. Pete had also directed them to a truck that had been loaded with propane heaters. These would be installed in all the bunk houses. The propane factory had been a gold mine as far as Wade was concerned.

  Finally, Wade gathered another thirty survivors to go with him and Jessie to bring in the containers from the rail yards. They would first procure some flatbed semis from Roadway trucking, then begin loading the containers at the rail yard. This would be a long process, moving enough containers to erect a wall around the living area of the farm. It would take a huge supply of containers. Wade envisioned stacking them two high to create a sixteen-foot wall. He then wanted to add protective shooting platforms at regular intervals.

  Pete had gotten twenty-five volunteers to set up the 40,000-gallon propane tank. Luckily the area where they were placing the tank was fairly flat all around. A crane would have been ideal for the job, but since they did not have one available, they used a system of bulldozers and chains to pull the tank into position. The tricky part was getting the tank raised in order to build a solid platform under the ground supports to ensure the tank remained level and stable.

  Everyone on the farm jumped in when needed. From the time the sun rose until there was barely any light left, the survivors worked to improve and fortify their home. It was amazing how much they had already accomplished. Every completed project seemed to lead to two more projects that needed doing, though. Still, even though everyone was working to the point of exhaustion each day, the pride they were all taking in building this new community was evident.

  The survivors knew for every improvement they made, for every fortification they built, it was securing their future in a suddenly uncertain world. They were determined to survive. Not just survive but thrive, no matter what was thrown at them.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  The Organization

  Work had progressed rapidly at the farm over the few days after securing the propane supply. Pete Jacobs had expertly directed a crew of folks in getting the storage tank placed and operational. We could bring truckloads of propane now and had ample storage capacity. Tommy Jackson, after completing the work on the next bunk house, had immediately begun work on an above-ground building to serve as a mess hall. What had initially seemed to be a massive underground bunker, quickly became overcrowded with the amount of people now living on the farm.

  Justin made daily runs back to his mill to gather all the lumber they had on the premises. Tommy thought he could complete the mess hall with the materials available, but we would need to have even more as our number of residents grew. I had stayed on the farm the last few days, lavishing in some much-needed time with the kids. I let others make some runs to nearby locations, but I knew it was necessary to get back out there and step up the scavenging, to prepare for the coming winter.

  It was also imperative to address how things would be decided moving forward. I had been putting it off with so much to do, but I felt it critical to be addressed sooner rather than later. There hadn't been any problems up to this point, but I wanted to ensure there wouldn't be any in the future. Permanent leadership was required moving forward.

  Wade Marshall

  ◆◆◆

  Wade had all the inhabitants of the farm gathered outside the new bunk house. He looked over all the faces staring back at him and it hit him hard as to just how many people were now depending on him to make the right calls. That was far too much responsibility for one person.

  "Folks, let me say first how much I appreciate the hard work everyone has done to help make our farm safe. I have not seen a single person sitting idle these last few weeks. I think we have the start of something here that will inspire what’s left of the living."

  Wade paused as the crowd expressed agreement with clapping and cheering.

  "I have, by necessity, been calling the shots as we have built up our defenses here and expanded to allow more people to join our community. I think it is time to change that, though,” Wade said.

  "You've done a hell of a job, Wade!" someone yelled from the back of the crowd.

  Wade again waited as many voiced a like opinion of the situation. He was humbled to realize the people gathered here would likely follow his lead without pause if he decided to remain in charge.

  "Thank you, all of you. I appreciate your vote of confidence, but I think it is time that the decisions are made by more than just myself. I want to form a group who will be responsible for the decision-making moving forwards. I think a council of thirteen people would be a much better way to determine our path. We will accept volunteers or nominations, and everyone will vote to approve the choices. The only thing I will say is that I’m pretty adamant my Uncle Ben Marshall sits on the council. This is his farm. He has put his blood, sweat, and tears into this land his entire life. He opened his home to everyone here without hesitation. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for providing a safe haven from the infected."

  Another round of cheers went through the crowd. There were numerous shouts that Wade, too, should have a seat on the council as he had led them true up to this point. Wade was again blown away by the amount of trust exhibited by those gathered before him. He had known many of the people here for most of his life, but there were even more who had come to the farm since the infected had begun rising from the dead.

  "I want everyone here to feel like they have a voice. We are building this together. It will take every one of us to ensure our survival. I want anyone interested in serving on the council, or if there is someone you want to nominate, just provide the names to my wife Kelly. We will set a date to vote on the first official council. That bein
g said, I want to start increasing the runs to scavenge food and supplies for the coming winter. Anyone who is willing to go out on these supply trips, please come talk to me and we can organize groups."

  Another cheer went up through the gathering, and men made their way to Wade to either shake his hand, show their support, or to volunteer to help provide for the farm. Wade was continually amazed at the selflessness these people had displayed through the worst event anyone could have ever dreamed of in their worst nightmares. He felt like this group could accomplish anything.

  There were more than enough volunteers to go out to procure provisions. Practically all the able-bodied men and most of the women were willing to do what was needed. Wade got a group of ten together to haul in loads of propane. Derek had recommended sending three of his guys in one of the GMVs to ride along as overwatch for the trucks. Pete Jacobs offered to go as well to oversee the fueling process as not all the trucks were loaded. The average bobtail could carry about 2,200 gallons of propane, so it would take quite a few loads to fill the 40,000-gallon holding tank they had procured. Not to mention they were still setting up 10,000-gallon tanks around the property to support the buildings.

  Others were tasked with scouting local grocery stores and pharmacies. Doctor Haynes had provided a list of antibiotics and other medications that needed to be the focus of the search. Hardware and sporting goods stores were also classified as points of interest.

  The containers were coming in daily from the rail yard. They were eight feet wide and eight-and-a-half feet tall. They came in a variety of sizes ten to forty feet in length. They were going to be a formidable defensive structure once complete.

  Wade would take the final group into Winchester. There was both a Lowe’s and a Wal-Mart distribution center that could provide a plethora of supplies. Wade hoped these places could provide enough provisions to get the group through the foreseeable future. Finally, Wade wanted to re-con the area where the Lords and Masters had been holding prisoners. There was still a quiet whisper in the back of his mind that they had not seen the last of the gang.

  Derek's group, of course, would be handling the re-con duty while in Winchester. Wade also wanted to find out if it was feasible to attempt finding Pete's wife. He didn't hold much hope that she had survived. First glance at Pete would not have given any indication to the fortitude lurking inside the man. He was willing to risk his life to find out the fate of his wife. Of course, it was possible, if not probable, that his wife was able to survive inside their apartment if she had been careful.

  Wade spent the rest of the day organizing and assigning people to different groups that would head out first thing in the morning. They could potentially gather enough supplies tomorrow that would see them through the winter months. Wade didn't plan on remaining idle throughout the winter, but it would be good to have the ability if needed.

  After all the volunteers had been assigned to a task, Wade wearily dragged himself to the house, intent on spending the rest of the evening with his family. The next few days would likely be the busiest yet. He wanted to make sure he could have some time with Kelly and the kids. They were always at the forefront of his mind in his every decision. The reason he was so determined to make the farm as secure and well stocked as possible was sitting right in front of him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Murder in the First

  Loss is a hard thing to get past. It is even harder when you know there are so few people left in the world. I knew we would have to face off with the Lords and Masters again. I’d warned everyone who went out to scavenge to be even more cautious, because eventually we would have another run-in while in Winchester. Even knowing this, I hadn’t been prepared. Now as I lay bodies in the ground for their final rest, I can't help but ask if I should have made it a point to finish off those evil bastards before sending my people back into harm’s way. Logically, I understand that everyone going into Winchester to scavenge had been aware there was a risk of running into the gang. Still, I can't help but feel some responsibility for those we have lost. It has steeled my resolve to see every last one of the Lords and Masters hunted down like rabid animals.

  Wade Marshall

  ◆◆◆

  Wade had sent a group of ten men to Cive's Steel to gather some materials to build the fortifications atop the container wall. Using sheets of pressed steel and metal beams, they would weld the defenses in place every fifteen feet along the top of the containers. This would provide cover to fire on any approaching hostiles. Work went smoothly as there were very few dead inside the perimeter gate at the steel company. They had collected the materials they needed and obtained two box trucks to haul the materials back to the farm.

  It was almost noon when Mike Dawson told four of his scavenging crew to return to the farm with all they had collected so far. He would take the remaining five guys with him to find some welding tools to complete the shooters’ nests atop the Conex containers. Mike secured the gate with a new chain and padlock in hopes that if needed they could return to this stash at a later date. He and his men loaded up in the old Blazer and turned towards the east end of Winchester. Mike left Cive's Steel and decided to take a short cut through the industrial park near Winchester-Frederick County Jail. He wanted to avoid the downtown area at all cost.

  Mike was about 100 yards from the turn by the jail when a shot rang out and the Blazer’s steering suddenly quit responding. He mashed the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a sliding stop. A dozen men came out from behind vehicles parked on the sides of the road near the jail. They were all armed and walking towards the Blazer with weapons raised. Mike slammed the shifter into reverse and began backing up the sluggish Blazer, but two pickups came in fast behind them. The automobiles turned broadside, blocking the road, and more men spilled from the backs of the trucks.

  Mike didn't have time to formulate any kind of plan before twenty men surrounded them.

  “Everyone out now and on the ground or we will open fire,” one of the men shouted.

  “Do what they say, boys. We’re out of options here,” Mike told the others.

  “Down on the ground! Dicks in the dirt!”

  Mike and the others followed instructions and lay down in the middle of the street. Several of the marauders came forward and checked them for weapons and zip tied their hands behind them. Mike’s heart sank when he noticed the L&M moniker on a few of the armed men’s jackets. He looked at his friends and recognized the same fear in their eyes. This would not end well.

  Mike and his crew were marched to the jail. They were then taken inside and locked in one of the cells. Mike's heart dropped again as he realized most of the men were wearing the bright orange jumpsuits issued to prisoners. This did not bode well for Mike and his group.

  "It seems the Lords and Masters have been recruiting," Mike said quietly to Ralph.

  "Yeah, we are well and truly fucked. We won't be getting out of this alive. I want to at least take some of these bastards with me," Ralph spat.

  "That's going to be difficult from inside this cell," Mike said dejectedly.

  "They missed the knife in my boot. We can cut these zip-ties, and when they open the cell, we take out as many as we can," Ralph whispered.

  "Why do you guys get to decide to go out in a blaze of glory for everyone?" a younger man named Josh said heatedly.

  "Think about it. These guys are not letting us live. They will likely torture us for information about the settlement then kill us. I would rather die fighting than risk giving them something that will lead them back to our home. I don't want these pricks to come anywhere near my wife or kids. You saw what happened to those poor women Wade brought back. Wouldn't you rather take as many of these assholes with you as possible?" Ralph hissed.

  "If we are alive, at least there is still a chance we could maybe escape. Someone could look for us when they realize we haven't come back," Josh pleaded.

  "You’re fooling yourself, kid. We are done. One way or another this ends b
ad for us. I for one would like to do as much damage as possible before they take me out. Nobody here wants to die, but that is going to happen one way or another. We can sit here and let these pricks get their jollies torturing us to death, or we can try to kill as many of the bastards we can and go out on our terms," Mike said with conviction.

  Josh looked around at all the men in the cell.

  “Do all of you agree with Mike?” Josh asked.

  Each of the men confirmed their consent with a nod of their head.

  With a resigned sigh, Josh shrugged his shoulder. They would make their move the first time the cell door opened. If they could get their hands on some weapons, at least there would be a glimmer of hope for their survival.

  ◆◆◆

  After securing the prisoners, Flip left to find Dante. He found him in the warden’s office which he had claimed as his own. He informed Dante of the men they had captured.

  “I believe they are part of the group who attacked us, but I have yet begun interrogating them,” Flip said.

  “My friend, this is good news. I want these men to be an example for the rest of their crew. We must devise an appropriate message. We must make clear what happens to those who cross the Lords and Masters,” Dante said, smiling broadly.

  “I will have the answers you need in short order,” Flip said with an evil smile.

  "You can interrogate them, but I don’t want them dead. You let everyone know they are to remain alive. Perhaps one of them will give up their camp. Pain is a wonderful motivator. Once we have gotten the information we need or they prove to be useless, I want them displayed at the edge of town. Put them on stakes low enough the dead can reach to their knees. That way, the next time their friends come in for supplies, they will see their turned corpses."