“I wasn’t trying to pick or cozy up to anybody. I’m with you because I like you. If you don’t want to be with me you could just say that and stop trying to make up lame ass reasons to dump me.”
“Dump you?” He chuckled. “So what is this? We’re fighting like we’re in a relationship. I’ve only known you for three weeks.”
“Three weeks in this world is like two years.”
“Well three years is longer than any relationship I ever had so we might as well shoot for four.” Nick raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, might as well.” I shrugged and held in my smile. I didn’t know what had just happened between us but I didn’t want it to happen again so I just planned on being cool. In this three weeks I had developed real feelings for Nick. They were deeper than I cared to admit. We shared more than I had ever shared with any man. I needed him. I respected him. I was attracted to him. I trusted him with my life.
He smiled at me, like this tiny argument was already wiped from his memory. “You want some water?” I remembered the first bottle of water we shared in the Camaro.
“Yeah, hey Nick, don’t ever threw anything at me ever again.” I said it with conviction. Nick’s face fell glum. His eyes scorched my heart. I had hurt him. That was not my intention by I could never stand for any form of abuse.
“I’m sorry.” He cautiously walked over to me. I wished I would have chosen my words better. “You know I would never hurt you, right.” Nick kissed me on the cheek. “Never… I’ll be right back.” Nick disappeared down the attic stairs. Things were a little weird for the first few hours. I had hurt him. He had hurt me but we got over fairly quickly.
I was alone in the attic when I heard the crash. Shattered glass, it came from downstairs and was quickly followed by a scream. BLAM! A gunshot. I raced down the stairs to the living room and Kait was in hysterics.
“What, Kait?” I screamed.
“They’re coming in through the kitchen window.”
I ran toward the kitchen. I dumped into Michelle in the hall. I sped pass her and made my way to the kitchen. Joe, Nick, Naveen and Doctor Mark were huddled at the window. I could barely see over all their bodies.
“Back up?” Joe yelled. Naveen stepped back. Joe’s voice made you stand at attention.
Malik was standing beside me in the doorway. I almost didn’t notice him.
“Shoot the freak!” Doctor Mark shouted through the melee. I could hear a deadie growling in the background.
“Back up Mark!” Joe shouted before he threw back his elbow and hit Doctor Mark in the face. Mark stumbled backwards falling on the kitchen tile.
I could see the deadies clearly now. There were two of them trying to claw their way through the kitchen window. Michelle had crept into the kitchen holding her mouth. She spotted Doctor Mark on the floor nursing his bloody nose. Michelle went to his aid.
BLAM! BLAM! Joe fired twice hitting the two deadies in the head. Blood and brain matter flew in through the window landing on Nick and Joe. The deadies were dead. Both Nick and Joe were out of breath. Michelle escorted Doctor Mark into the living room.
Nick looked back at us. “Naveen, we got to board the window up and move these dead freaks away from the house.”
“They tried to come through in the day time.” Naveen added.
“Yeah,” Nick wiped the gross mixture of sweat, blood and brains from his forehead.
“I’ll get the hammers and the nails.” Malik said before he jetted off to the hall closet.
The next few hours were used to make the house as secure as possible. It was hard being in a heat box but it was better than the alternative. The deadies had attacked us in the day time and we were all on edge. This intrusion constituted a family meeting. So after we bundled up our fear in down parkas we all convened in the common area.
“I know everyone wants to talk about us all moving to a more secure location? There have been a lot of freaks hovering around in this area.” Nick took the lead.
“I want to go somewhere safe.” The doctor was the first to voice his opinion.
“It’s time to move on but we have to be careful.” Naveen added.
“Careful. Why are we still here? This place is not safe. I have got to get my daughter out of here. Look at what happened today.” The doctor had a point but in this brutal world there was no such thing as a safe place.
“Of course, Mark, I’m going to go out and find a secure location.” Joe said.
“So what you go out and get yourself killed then what? We all need to leave, together.” Doctor Mark was getting upset.
“We’re out in the middle of nowhere. There are more deadies in Chicago. Where would we go?” Naveen asked.
Michelle stood. “We’re not trying to move to Chicago, just somewhere else, secluded but more secure.”
Doctor Mark threw his hands in the air. “Hello, once the freaks realize there is livestock out here. They will flock from the big towns and head out here to feed.”
“We can’t just go off all willy-nilly. We have to be sure. Ray died trying to find us a place. We can’t lose any more people.” It was strange to hear Joe use the words willy-nilly.
“I vote for the mall.” Doctor Mark blurted.
“All those fuckin’ entrances.” Nick countered.
“We can just occupy a portion of the mall.” The doctor was ready with his retort.
Joe walked into the middle of the scattered circle. “Nick is right. It’s dangerous. It’s too much space to wonder around. What if someone gets mistaken for a freak?”
“That’s ridiculous. There’s a vision center in the mall. If you can’t tell the difference between a freak and a human you need trifocals.” Doctor Mark threw his hands up in the air. He was extremely frustrated. “Let’s take a vote. Those in favor of the mall raise your hand.”
The doctor, his daughter and Malik were the only ones with their hands up.
“You guys have got to be kidding me. Those who want to wait here raise your hands.” Doctor Mark asked completely frustrated.
Nick and Joe raised their hands. I hesitated for no reason. I looked around the room hoping for more hands but none rose to veto the move. I already knew I would vote with Nick so my hand shot up last.
Doctor Mark kicked a chair. “Great, if you three would stop sucking each other’s dicks for ten minutes we might live to see another day.” Doctor Mark kicked the chair again and it fell on its side.
Oddly those condescending words didn’t cause Joe or Nick to pop a cap in the doctor’s ass. I wanted to kick him in the balls but their calm washed over me and I viewed him as a pathetic man with no skill of persuasion. Low blows are low even with an M.D. behind your name.
“Mark, calm down,” Naveen was forever the peace maker.
“Michelle do you have an opinion?” Doctor Mark asked. Michelle stayed quiet. Apparently her foul tongue was hibernating. Doc walked over to Michelle. “Are you in there?” He yelled out to her only inches away from her face. He grabbed her arms and began to shake her.
Joe charged over and grabbed the doctor away from Michelle. They were staring each other down when Naveen jumped in between them, putting his hands on both the angry men’s chests.
“Guys, come on.” Naveen said as the rest of the group looked on awestruck.
“Osama get your fucking hands off me.” The doctor hissed as he swatted Naveen’s hand away. Naveen stepped back just in time. Joe cocked his arm back and returned with a huge balled fist. He socked the doctor clean across the jaw. The doctor’s head spun around and his body plummeted to the hardwood floor. Kait grabbed her mouth with both hands before she kneeled down to care for her father.
The doctor shook off the blow and held his jaw. “You defend him? You were just over there killing all his fucking family members.”
Joe took a step toward the doctor and that’s when Nick stood in front of him. Had we come to a point when we were going to fight one another? Or worst were we going to eventually kill each other?<
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Doctor Mark stood with help from his daughter. He made it to the couch with her assistance. We all lingered around dormant in a broken confused circle. It was much too quiet after all the commotion.
“Ring! Ring! Ring!” A cell phone was ringing. We all looked around the room and then at each other. “Ring! Ring! Ring!” Where is it coming from?
“Dad, it’s your phone.” Kait blurted out and had all our attention. She leapt from the couch and run across the room to the end table filled with open plastic water bottles. She grabbed the cell phone that was ringing underneath the table. The phone was plugged into the wall with a cell phone charger.
“Ring! Ring! Ring!” Kait grabbed the phone so fast it dislodged from the charger, leaving the chord loose in the phone. She hit the talk button and rushed the phone to her father’s ear. He looked at the phone and then took it in his hand. Kait hovered above him.
“Hello, hello.” The doctor listened as his hand trembled.
We all listened, frozen in our steps. My heart started to beat faster as I watched the doctor.
“Oh my god, Joan,” Doctor Mark cried out. The doctor listened for a moment. “Where’s Brandon?”
“Who is Joan?” Malik was bold enough to ask.
“She’s my dad’s ex-wife.” Kait answered.
“Joan just keep all the doors locked. Do you have any weapons?” The doctor asked into his cell. The doctor looked up at Kait. “Kait, Brandon is alive.”
“Who the hell is Brandon?” Malik tactlessly blurted out.
Tears welled in young Kait’s eyes. “My brother.”
~IN SEARCH OF BLOOD~
CHAPTER 8
Not again, not again, no, no, not again. The peace only lasts for so long, which is not long at all. My mouth is ajar. My mind is the same. The remote possibility that someone you love and care about is still alive is beyond belief. This group that I now call my group is on auto pilot. My group of survivors has convened in the living room to discuss other matters and out of the blue this shocking news, jaw dropping news.
The conversation has one topic and one topic alone. The rescue mission, the who, where and when, some valiant members of the group will go out to acquire Doctor Mark’s ex-wife Joan and his son Brandon. I have completely checked out of the frenetic dialogue. My mind drifts into a blurred state, akin to the static from a TV screen. White noise, the only comparison I can come up with.
This is my first zombie apocalypse. I am reasonably sure it’s everyone’s first. I want to participate in the powwow but I can’t seem to clear the cobwebs in my brain. It’s been a little under two months since this virus, disease or infection took over the earth and claimed the lives of so many of us human beings.
This is one of those days when I am unable to block the bleak reality of the new world out of my consciousness. Every now and then there will be a day without death, without any group arguments, without any deadies trying to break in and kill us. Today is definitely not one of those days. I wish we had more boring serenity filled days, a day without mayhem, madness and rescue missions.
I’m listening but I am in and out of the conversation. After much deliberation, it is made clear. Some of us will go out in search of Doctor Mark’s family. We are all risking our lives for a man we barely know, a man that is arrogant, racist and a complete jackass. But there are no other options or at least that’s what I keep babbling to myself. If it were someone in my family I would want there to be a rescue mission. I would want someone to give a damn.
Finally I snap out of my lucid contemplation. I was now in tune with the various voices that lingered around me.
Kait was silently weeping in the corner. The news that her brother was alive would be somewhat overwhelming for a seventeen year old. Her tears are understandable. Our fearless leader, who refuses to accept his title as leader stands near our resident Marine, G.I. Joe.
“How many people are we taking with us?” Doctor Mark asked.
“I figure there should be at least four of us.” Nick answered. “That leaves four of us here.”
“Dad I want to go with you.” Kait spoke through a mountain of tears.
“No way!” Doctor Mark barked a little more than he had to, stress I guess.
“Dad please?” Kait pleaded. She is much too young to realize her pleas are futile.
“Kait, he’s right. Its better you stay here. Your dad, we all need to know you’re safe.” This was my attempt at avoiding a teenage tantrum.
I walked over to Kait and wrapped my arms around her. The room seemed stunned by my brazen act of affection. She had lost her mother. I had lost mine too but at least I had my mom into my adulthood. All these men weren’t smart enough to understand the emotions of a teenage girl. I understood Kait. I had been a teenager not so long ago. I held Kait tight and turned to the other six members of the group.
“I’ll go with you guys.” I’m not sure why I volunteered but I figure the safest place is with Nick. He saved my life quite a few times already.
Nick looks at me and gives me a quick head nod. I have his approval. Our relationship has grown over the course of a few weeks but he is not fooling me. I know he wants me by his side. He believes I’m safer with him and I wholeheartedly agree. I believe he enjoys caring for me. I am not just his roommate, bedmate, confident and protégé; I have also become his friend. Strangely I have never shared such innate intimacy with a man before now. This end of days crap has brought people from all walks of life together.
The deadies are everywhere, I fear when we return from this rescue operation there will be nothing to return to. I think of this and anxiety washes over me like ocean waves, this is when a perpetual panic sets in. What if we make it to Brandon and Joan and they are dead? In the new world, time is not on your side. The calm only lasts for so long. I should be happy that there are more survivors out there. But under these circumstances the more has never been the merrier.
Doctor Mark’s ex-wife and son are alive. I should feel joy but instead it reminds me that my own family has been killed, eaten and possibly turned into a deadie. I don’t have concrete proof of their demise. I haven’t seen any of their bodies raised from death to a warped cannibalistic state. In my heart I know all those I love have been vanquished. In my mind I know all those I love have been dealt a losing hand.
“So it’s settled, let’s go now.” Doctor Mark takes an injudicious stab at leadership. The room goes deadpan. Emotions are swirling around the room, too bad I can’t pick up on them. I think I’m emotionally drained. This would be a suitable time for ESP. My eyes zero in on the Marine.
Joe looked tense, uneasy. This was completely opposite his customary stale emotionless demeanor.
“Nick follow me.” Joe called out.
Nick followed Joe down the narrow hall and into the kitchen. I felt the need to follow although Joe specifically asked for Nick. I let go of sobbing Kait. I scurried behind the dynamic testosterone duo. At this point it was pretty obvious that Nick and I were joined at the hip. So if Joe disapproved of me being the third wheel I had a menacing scowl waiting on standby.
Nick and Joe stood face to face in the kitchen by the broken boarded window by the sink, a reminder of the recent deadie attack. I shuddered inside as I thought about it. I stood at arm’s length, intruding on the looming exchange.
“What’s up?” Nick asked, concerned or maybe just befuddled.
“I don’t want to go with Mark?” Joe was back to his unemotional self.
“Why not?” I was sure Nick didn’t know and I didn’t have a clue. These macho blue collar men are hard to understand. I’m more accustomed to the artsy metrosexual types.
“I don’t think we should risk our lives for this pompous asshole.” Joe clearly stated.
“I’m going. I need you to cover my ass.” Nick said plainly almost as if he was mimicking Joe’s monotone.
“Sorry, I’ll pass.” Joe half-heartedly shrugged.
“Mark is a jerk but I don’t think of it
as risking my life for him. I think of it as risking my life for his ex-wife and his son. Any woman that would divorce that douch-bag deserves a fighting chance.” Nick half smiles, he thinks his words are funny but I think they’re funny only because he does.
“Fuck you.” Joe playfully adds and I could’ve sworn I seen him crack a smile.
“Those freaks will eat me alive if Doc is covering my ass. You bust caps in freaks. Mark gives tummy tucks for a living.”
Joe chuckles and for the first time I notice that he is really an attractive guy. His nothing personality and expressionless face have masked his best feature, his laugh.
“Fuck it. We all got to die one day anyway. If the freaks get me, promise to blow my brains out.”
“Of course, I know you’d do the same for me.” Nick agrees with enthusiasm. They seal the deal with an Obama fist bump, male bonding at its finest.
“I’m coming too.” I finally tag in as if it’s my turn in the wrestling ring. I know I had already volunteered but I felt the need to repeat myself.
“Yeah Victoria,” Joe grimaces. “No surprise there,” sarcasm from Mr. Desert Storm.
“My name is not Victoria.” I snarl. I’m not sure how I feel about this comical Joe.
“Yeah but you’re so full of secrets.” A Victoria’s Secret joke, how so NOT clever. Joe lifts one eyebrow, did he learn the brow lift from Nick.
I frown and I wonder if it was Joe that let my proverbial cat out of the bag. Was he the blabbermouth that told Nick I was a Victoria’s Secret model before this world went to hell in a hand basket? Doesn’t matter now, I am someone else, someone trying to survive in a whole new world.
Oddly Nick ignores us both. He’s seems distracted. Wonder why? “Nick?” I call out to him even though he’s only a few feet away.
“We need to get the information we need and go while we all have the nerve.” Nick calmly orders.
“Okay, let’s do this. Let’s bring lots of ammo. Did you learn to shoot yet?” Joe asked and I realized he was talking to me.
Deadies: Book 1, 2 & 3 Page 7