Chapter 7: Storm Front

Katie sat on Drew's bed with her legs pulled to her chest. She had seen some disturbing things in her lifetime. She had just recently came much too close to a zombie and even that hadn't rattled her as much as looking into Caleb's soulless eyes. She knew he had a plan for her and she didn't like what the outcome was going to be. She was snapped out of her slump as Drew walked into the room and said goodbye to some guys he was talking to. "Hey, did you enjoy the party" he asked. Katie just shrugged. "Hey, I need to tell you something. I'm not sure you're going to believe me but you have too" she explained. "You're pregnant" he exclaimed while making a shocked face the laughed. Katie got a whiff of his breath and he stunk off booze. "Great, you're drunk" she groaned. "Hey, no MIPS in Zombieland woooooo, but I digress. Seriously tell me what you wanted to tell me" he said finally looking serious. "So I had a chat with your brother at the party. He told me what happened to Sasha and I think he plans to get his revenge using me to get to you. I think..." Drew held up his hand and she stop talking. "I know already". Katie was a little shocked when he said that. "If you know why you didn't tell me" she asked, "I need you to act normal around here for the next couple of days so that I can blend in. I got a read on the men today at the party. It seems there is still an open wound between the few who helped in Caleb's coup and those who were forced into going along. He's given his followers special privileges and I'm sure that I can convince some men to help take him down." Katie nodded "I can keep my head down for a little while but try to let me stay by your side." He smiled at her "Always". She grabbed some shorts and a top and walked into the bathroom to get changed.

The Next Day

Drew's POV

I got out of bed and got dressed. I and the men were going scouting to the north. I kissed Katie's sleeping head and left a gun under her pillow. I would be gone only for a few hours but knowing this place better safe than sorry. I pulled on my favorite hoodie and was out the door. We walked down to the vehicle bay and grabbed his jeep which had be mounted with a machine gun and a stolen Humvee and headed out through the front gates. I was riding with Sherman and Douglas. Douglas was navigating while Sherman manned the gun. We drove through the wooded hills until we came to a split in the trail, "Take the left trail, it makes a loop through our northern territory and then makes its way back to the right side. I sped up and took the left. "So how's it feel to be back Drew. Sure you missed your brother". I laughed a little "Like a gazelle misses the lion." They both started laughing. "Yea, well some of us missed you. We know it wasn't your fault. It's the rule of this world. You turn, you die." Chimed in Sherman. I just nodded. "So how do you guys like my brother's leadership". "What leadership" commented Douglas "We go on these stupid scouting trips and practice shooting but there isn't anyone out here except for us and the zombies and most of them are either dead, frozen or moved along to warmer areas". I took a deep breath. "So would you guys be interesting in a change in leadership. Maybe a little more democratic." Douglas shifted in his seat "Hey now, we were just talking shit you know. You think we'd actually kill Caleb." Drew slammed on the breaks. "Yes, yes I do. I see Caleb having about 10 men truly loyal to him that keep the rest of you guys in line. They gather at night to have meetings. That's when we could strike and take them down.". "I don't want to return to those bloody days of the past. I lost too much already to them." Responded Douglas. "I lost my wife and father in those horrible days" added Sherman. "Well, I'm going to hold a meeting later tonight while they have their meeting. If you could let people know discreetly that's all I'm asking. They nodded and Drew kept driving.

Later that night

Katie POV

Drew kept pacing as he waited for people to see if anyone was going to show up. Slowly about 50 men walked in to the room and sat down. Drew began to speak after everyone had quieted down, "I'm glad that this many of you turned out. I know I've been gone for a while but I've been a member probably longer than some of you. I know after Old Man Regis was taken out you've lost loved ones in the conflicts but we need to stop fighting and start to rebuild society. I want take down my brother and his faction and start a new one from that gives everyone equal say and set up permanent habitation. We can focus on bringing this world back under our control". The men clapped as he finished. "Well said, well said" called a voice from the back of the room. Everyone gasped as Caleb and his men stood at the back with assault rifles pointed at them. Caleb strolled up to Drew with a devilish look in his eye. Drew just stared him right in the eye. "You know you're a horrible leader when I can gain the trust of 50 men in just a few days right". Caleb laughed, "You think I care about these zombie fodder. I only accept strength, these men our weak and should've been culled the minute they joined up. Caleb turned and locked eyes with me. "Love, love makes you soft. I think you need to harden up a little" Before Drew could react Caleb had a Beretta M9 to my head. Caleb squatted to eye level with me. He started laughing a little, "You know what is ironic, that I'm going to kill you, exactly as Drew killed Sasha, with the same…exact…gun" he emphasized the last few words by butting the gun into my skull. He placed his other hand on my mine and creepily stroked it, "Now don't be mad because I'm gonna kill you. Drew will be with you very shortly and you can cry about it in hell together". Caleb stood up and pulled back the hammer. I closed my eyes and waited for the end. "Caleb Chester Hartwell, I, Drew Hartwell challenge you to a paired Death Stinger for control of the Red Scorpions" shouted Drew. Everyone gasped and Caleb's face grew red with anger. He lowered his gun. He walked up nose to nose with Drew. "Two things, One, I accept your request and we will fight two days from now at dawn. Two, if you ever use my middle name again I will kill you and give that girl you care so much for a fate worse than a thousand deaths." He kicked Drew in the stomach and he and his man walked away. I ran over to him and helped him stand. Drew looked around and waved everyone to leave. I helped him back to his room and helped him lay down. "So now that we're alone, what does a Death Stinger entail exactly?" Drew closed his eyes and laid back on his pillow. It's a death match between to contesting bosses. We use smaller caliber bullets coated in scorpion venom and the entire compound will be the field. Last boss standing is the winner though that doesn't necessarily mean he'll survive. Also I asked for a paired Death Stinger so you'll be fighting with me". I literally pissed myself from fear.

Sorry about the wait. I should have another chapter uploaded Friday so stay tuned. CC