Now that the threat of a storm was behind us and we had made our way out of Castle Point we had made our way into Missouri. Stopping off on the side of the road so Murphy could stretch his legs complaining that he needed to pee. I had been riding in the back with 10k and Cassandra, jumping up to sit on top of the truck on watch while we stopped. Mack had gone ahead some to scout out the area luckily to come back with news saying he didn't see anything.
"Anybody else worried about Mr. Sunshine out there?" Doc asked as Mack made his way into the bed of the truck. Everyone had piled in at the tailgate watching and talking about my brother. They were right though, he was changing.
"I know, he is looking worse," Garnett said crossing his arms and leaning against the truck. Warren complaining saying he was creepy to begin with.
"Come one, guys. Give him a break," Addy said defending my brother, "It's the apocalypse, none of us look out best."
"Its like one long bad hair day," I said as I jumped down from my perch and joined the others. Standing in-between Mack and Addy I stowed away the gun and crossed my arms waiting for Murphy to get done. Everyone continued to talk about him and if they even thought he would make it to California. I knew my brother and I knew he would make it. Once he was done he turned and looked at the group of us, everyone staring back waiting for him to say something.
"What," he asked as he slowly started making his way over to us.
"Pit stop is over," Garnett said as everyone turned and started piling into the truck again.
"I have a ginormous bladder," he said walking with a little more speed, "Sue me."
"Seriously though, I can't tell you how many times I was late for school because he would take so long in the bathroom to pee," I joked as I sat down against the tailgate with 10k, Mack and Addy. Addy laughed at my memory while my brother only glared. I knew he didn't like that I let them peak into the Murphy they didn't know but I just couldn't help it.
We had been driving for a while, 10k and Addy watching the front as Mack and I lounged against the tailgate again. We had passed a Z on the side of the road that had been eating a human until they turned Z themselves, the other holding the head of his victim. 10k aimed his gun while driving by shooting the both of them.
"I,554," he said as he lowered his gun, both of the Z's now dead.
"Nice shootin' Tex," I joked in a horrible fake accent. Mack chuckled at me while 10k turned smirking imitating tipping a hat to me causing Addy and I both to giggle.
Not much longer down the road we had made it to where Warren and Garnett had been talking about. A town had been surviving and Garnett said he knew the man who was in charge. Turning off the main road I saw a well fenced off and guarded group of buildings. I was excited to finally meet more people and see how they had managed to make it this long. Jumping up from my seat next to Mack I stood next to 10k trying to take in everything that I could see. That was until I saw the sign they had posted on the front gate.
"Surrender all weapons?" I asked looking to 10k pointing out to him the sign I saw.
"Are they serious?" he asked exactly what I was thinking.
"Looks like," Mack said confirming what 10k and I were thinking. 10k and I looking back at each other again before ahead of us to the compound. Neither one of us where ready to do that. My knives, guns and bow and arrow where what got me this far and I would be damned if someone made me voluntarily give them up. After what I assumed was Warren and Garnett deciding what to do we pulled forward slightly until a group of would be guards came out of no where.
"Stop right there, this is a private compound," the woman in front started yelling, "I'm gonna have to ask you to turn around and go back the way you came."
Coming to a stop Garnett slowly opened the passenger door getting out with his hands up.
"I'm looking for Major Williams," Garnett said as he walked up in front of the group.
"And who are you?" the woman asked keeping her gun trained on Garnett, the people behind her keeping theirs trained on the rest of us.
"I'm Sergeant Charles Garnett, Georgia National Guard. We've known each other going back pre-z," Garnett informer her. The woman looked around to the men around her trying to decide if she could trust us or not.
"Wait there," she finally decided and lowered her gun momentarily, "Your crew stays in the truck." She explained nodding for one of her men to go get who Garnett was looking for. Turning to us we knew we needed to keep it cool for now or get shot. It wasn't long until the man in question came walking out surprised to see Garnett standing in front of him. After a little reunion Major Williams told his guards to stand down. Letting out a small breath of relief I was glad this guy seemed to trust us. Garnett had told him that we were on a mission from what was left of the government and that we hadn't eaten in a few days. We had run out of everything two days ago, even the supplies that I had saved in my bag had been eaten, mainly by Murphy.
"Come inside and tell me your story. We'll get you some food and water," Major Williams started, "But the truck stays outside." That I wasn't happy about. I knew I would have to leave my weapons bag in the truck bed and that made me nervous. I quickly patted my sides and boots making sure I had my hidden weapons on me: two knives each boot, Beretta under my shirt behind me, another knife hooked to my belt loop under my left arm and the special hiding place that not even Hayley knew. Ok, it wasn't that special but no one knew I had a small Bersa Thunder 380 concealed under my shirt and if I had anything to say about it no one ever know.
"Let them in," Major Williams said turning to his men then back, "And of course you'll have to check your weapons."
We all stood in line to turn in our weapons. 10k and I were at the back of the line, the both of us trying to think of ways to sneak something in.
"Any ideas?" I asked getting desperate as we got closer to the window. He only shook his head as we finally got to the window.
"Better watch those two," Murphy said quietly towards 10k and me. I only turned to him giving him a look saying that he wasn't making this any better. The two of us pulled out our weapons at the same time handing them over. As 10k handed over his rifle I handed over my Beretta, his sling shot with the knife at my side, his small saw and both the knives in one of my boots and so on until we were out of weapons to give. The man in the window looked at the two of us as we handed over a small arsenal leaning over to look at the two of us wondering where we had them hidden. Winking at him as he looked me over again his face quickly turned sour and we went back to checking in the weapons. Gently pushing me to the side so the guard woman could check us again 10k took his turn first. Standing with his arms out she quickly detected something, standing up so he could remove another weapon. Pulling out a heavy chain from the front of his pants she held out her hand as he sadly turned it over to her. Now it was my turn, hoping that I could sneak at least one in I stood there with my arms out. However, just like 10k it almost immediately went off. Huffing the woman stood and stared me down. Also huffing I pulled the front of my shirt up, most of the group in front of me looking away save for a few.
"That's badass," Addy said as her, Doc and 10k watched as I took the small Bersa Thunder out of the small flashbang holster I had strapped onto the center of my bra. Quickly I pulled my top back down covering the small amount of bust that I showed.
"Happy now?" I asked the guard who only gave me a dirty look in return.
"Who knew a girl in a crop top could hide so many weapons," Doc joked as I walked over to join him and 10k.
Once we were on the inside of the fence I joined the group standing with 10k. We were following Major Williams as he walked around talking to Garnett. They had been discussing how the compound had become weapon free on the inside. I didn't think it was a good idea. What if something were to happen and no one to defend the living? I had my arms crossed in front of me and my jacket pulled close to me.
"I don't like this 10k, I feel naked," I said quiet enough that he was the only one to hear me. He turned to me nodded in agreement.
"I don't either," he replied, "And those three who came in behind us, something seemed off about them."
"I agree," I said looking around to see if they were close, "If we see them again we should keep an eye on them." It wasn't much longer until we followed the Major inside the compound. It was rather plain, although with the apocalypse I shouldn't have expected bright vivid colors.
"All the doors and gates close automatically. Sealing off each section of the compound like on a submarine," Major Williams explained, "Everything's been zombie proofed." He had an arrogance about him when talking about it, I knew better than that.
"Ever hear of the Titanic?" Murphy asked as he stood to my left, 10k on my right.
"You're welcome to wait outside in your vehicle," the Major said turning to my brother. I immediately stomped on Murphy's foot making him shut up. He yelled and wacked me in the arm for it as I turned and told him to hush. I quickly turned back to Major Williams and Garnett giving them my best smile and whispering 'sorry' pointing to Murphy.
"You'll have to forgive my friend, he's been through a lot," Garnett said trying to smooth things over. Major Williams eyed my brother but he let it slide this time. Walking through another door the group followed him with me bringing up the end of the line not knowing what was being talked about.
The moment I walked through the door the first thing I noticed was food. Real, actually grown from the ground food!
"Real food," I said in disbelief mainly to myself but 10k had heard me, turning to smile at me. The Major was telling Garnett about how they were running their own electricity and how they were surviving. That's when I noticed the three crazies walked into the cafeteria. Tapping 10k on the arm and pointing out what I saw I strained to pay attention to what the Major was saying.
"We had a little trouble a while back with a preacher we took in," he started explaining, "He drank his own Kool-Aid. He decided the Zompocalypse as actually the Second Coming, that we needed to save the Zs, not kill them." That was when I noticed Murphy perk up. He had been acting weird towards the zombie lately I had noticed. Major Williams was telling Warren and Garnett more about the preacher saying how crazy he was. The guy sounded like a real whack job to me, and these three didn't look any better.
"But speaking of food let's get you people something to eat," Major Williams said as he looked at the group of us, "First meal is on me, the rest you trade for. No meat of course, hope you're vegetarian."
"Oh yea," Cassandra said with enthusiasm as she picked up a plate filling it full with fruit. 10k reached over and grabbed two plates handing one of them to me. I quietly thanked him and stood at the end of the line. I was thrilled to finally be eating real food.
Sitting down at the table in-between my brother and 10k, so they didn't hurt each other, I quickly dug into my food.
"I really like this place," I said catching a breath for a moment, "I wish we could stay here." There were some grunts and nods of agreement but no once ever said a word, too busy scarfing down their plates of food.
I was looking around the cafeteria taking in everything when I looked over and realized the three crazies weren't sitting to far away. Looking over at 10k I realized he already saw what I did. It wasn't much longer when all of a sudden two of them stood to leave. In complete unison 10k and I both followed them and stood.
"I got the guy," I said as 10k and I both walked away from the table, "You follow the girl." 10k nodded and walked through the same door as the woman before him.
Following the one I was it seemed like he was trying to get somewhere fast. Going through many doors and corridors I didn't know I realized he was trying to get outside. Staying far enough behind him that he didn't see me I noticed how people reacted to him. He seemed popular enough and friendly enough that he was a pretty nice guy. Once we finally got outside I had to hide behind the building until I realized he was going into the weapons building. Quickly running behind him I stopped the door from closing with my foot as quietly as I could, trying to listen to what he was saying.
"Hey Luke, glad to see you back man," the guy at the weapons counter said, "I knew you were too smart to fall for that Jacob clown." I had my head just barely in the door to hear the conversation.
"Yea, it wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be," he said but there was something about the way he said it that I just didn't buy it, "But I think I left some meds in my ammo bag, do you mind checking for me?" Once the man behind the counter said he would check he turned to go find what he was looking for. I quickly backed up slightly as Luke turned his back to the counter. I could just barely see what he was doing as I tried not to make myself noticeable. I saw him take out a necklace from under his shirt. He was looking out the window as I saw the girl he was with earlier out of the corner of my eye. I saw her walking unsteady like something was wrong, her hands cradling her stomach. It wasn't much longer until I heard someone screaming at the gate. The weapons man heard it as well as he came running through the door I was hiding behind almost hitting me with it. He quickly ran over to the two women at the gate now, both of them on the ground. However, once he came up to the women they quickly jumped up and turned on him taking them down with him. I looked over to Luke now to see that he was quickly turning as well having slit his own throat. Thinking quickly I shut the door as quick as I could only for him to realize what had happened. Before he came running at me 10k was at my side again only for Luke to slam up against the window of the door, blood splattering everywhere. Him and I both jumped back, 10k grabbing my hand as he turned and made a run for it. Him and I both were running as fast as we could, the three Z's chasing us once we passed the gate. Luckily they spotted two other victims that they quickly decided to attack rather than chase after us.
We kept running as more and more Z's started to pile out of the compound.
"I thought all the doors where supposed to lock if something happened?" I asked as 10k and I came to stop for a second trying to come up with a plan, him letting go of my hand. Unfortunately, I thought to myself. I quickly pushed that thought to the back of my head, this wasn't the time for that.
"When I was following that girl she blocked a lot of the doors so they wouldn't close all the way," he started explaining, "I guess they all did that as they walked out."
"Maybe," I started, "Either way we need a plan and we need weapons." 10k was looking around when he saw something, waving me over to join him not far from where I stood.
"We could use the roof to move out of reach of the Z's," he said as he patted the dumpster. Quickly jumping on board with his idea he laced his fingers together letting me use his hands as a step up. Once I was on top of the dumpster I turned to help pull him up. We did the same to get onto the roof and quickly made our way around trying to see if there was a way to get our weapons or back to the group.
"Shit," I said as we made it to the end of one of the sides of the building seeing the preacher and his group raiding all our weapons. We made our way back to the other side of the roof wondering if we could find a way to sneak by but that's when I heard something.
"Hang on," I said grabbing 10k's arm, "Do you hear that?" I asked straining hard to concentrate on what I thought I was hearing. He nodded once he heard the same thing, the two of us running off to try to pinpoint the location of what we were hearing. Pointing out what looked like a wooden cross blocking a door we realized that was where the screaming was coming from. We quickly jumped down off the roof as gracefully as we could and rushed over removing the blockage. As we removed it the door flew open, everyone in our group spilling out.
"10k, Raven!" Warren said as she ran by us, Addy and Mack following behind her. Cassandra and Doc made sure the door was closed as I quickly took the wooden cross from 10k and blocked the door with it once again.
"How do we get out of here?" Garnett asked turning to us all.
"We have been using the roofs to move," 10k explained.
"The cult freaks are in the compound, armed," I quickly added.
"Murphy?" Warren asked.
"Haven't seen him," 10k said. That was when I realized my brother was gone. I quickly looked around hoping he would turn up. I was worried for him now, he didn't like the Z's and I knew he would more than likely get himself into trouble.
"We need weapons and then we will go find Murphy," Garnett said quickly coming up with a plan. That was the best thing about him, he always kept a level head when we were in trouble, always knowing what was the best thing to do. Quickly we all turned around the corner to head in the direction of weapons only to be met by the cult grinding our plan to a halt.
"Greetings brother and sisters," they started, "The Resurrection Church welcomes you. Please raise your hands to the heavens or I will resurrect you where you stand." 10k and I standing next to each other looked at each other both of us deciding we would make a run for it, somehow. As the group raised their hands I followed 10k as he took a step back. However, the woman standing in front of us with the gun noticed our steps and turned towards us, ready to fire. 10k grabbed my hand again as we turned to make a dash for it, gun fire behind us. As the gun fire came ringing in behind us, making a close call, 10k placed his hand on my lower back urging me to run even faster around the corner. Even under the pressure of a life or death I felt my cheeks get red and felt my self get flustered under his touch. It was a small gesture that I knew I shouldn't read too much into, I mean it's the zombie apocalypse, but here I was, not wanting this one moment to end.
Still holding onto my hand 10k lead us back into the compound trying to find someone who had a weapon we could steal. Peaking around the corner I saw a man checking each room for anyone to take to his preacher.
"Hey," I whispered barely audible getting 10k's attention, nodding my head down the hall.
"Stay here and get his attention," 10k said just as quietly as I did, "I'll sneak around and take his gun." Nodding my head in understanding as I watched as 10k quietly sneak across the hall to the next room. The room he was in now had another door on the other side of this guy, seeing 10k's head pop out on the other side only for a second I knew that was my signal that he was ready. Looking at the man with the gun I made sure to clap as loud as I could getting his attention. He quickly turned with his back to 10k only to turn around again and be taken out with the leg of a chair that 10k had found. As the man fell to the ground 10k took his gun and I walked around the corner to join him once again.
Running down another corridor we finally heard the others from outside. It sounded like Garnet was yelling at the preacher.
"And it can be again." He started. 10k and I stopped as he opened the window, propping his gun on the window seal. "It's not too late, put down your weapons. Let's live the way that people are supposed to. Helping one another, working together, it's not too late." I leaned down behind 10k watching the group of people in front of us. He had the gun set up but I could tell he couldn't get a clean shot.
"Can you shoot him?" I asked leaning closer to him.
"Not a clean one," he stated removing his gun from the window, "I need to get on the roof. You go get the truck and drive around to the gate on the other side there." He pointed to a gate that was behind the preacher, seemingly an easy enough job.
"Got it," I said nodding my head in understanding of my new task. As I turned to run down the hall to the front door again I was quickly stopped by 10k grabbing my upper arm.
"Here, take this just in case," he said as he handed me the chair leg he used earlier, "And uh…be careful." I quickly took the chair leg and gave 10k my best smile and turned to run down the hall.
Once I had finally made it to the gate I saw the truck, hoping that the keys where still in it. Skidding to a stop I grabbing the door handle throwing the door open. I jumped inside only to be proved right that the keys where gone.
"Damn it!" I yelled smacking the steering wheel trying to think of where they could be. Jumping out of the truck I ran back into the gate and into the weapons building. Jumping over the counter I turned around looking under it only to be disappointed. Turning around to see a rack on the wall that was covered in blood I saw the set of keys I was looking for. Quickly grabbing them and shoving them into my jacket pocket I ransacked the place for all the weapons they took when we came in. Lucky enough there was an empty duffle bag on the floor that I quickly stuffed full.
Running back to the truck again I through the duffle bag into the truck bed and jumped in the driver seat again. As I started the truck I heard several gun shots and knew I needed to get my show on the road. Looking around I found a side road that looked like it headed down the way I needed to go.
As I got to the gate that 10k had pointed out I slammed on the breaks sliding to a stop. Grabbing out the bolt cutters I grabbed from the weapons building I cut the chain that was holding the gate shut. Throwing the gate open I yelled for the group to head my way and that's when I saw it. Charlie, laying on the ground from being shot. I felt a lump in my throat as I tried to hold back the emotions that where wanting to spill over. It was like Hayley all over again, sitting here having to watch someone I love and trusted die. Warren was sitting next to him cradling his head in her hands with tears streaming down her face, gun fire going off around them. Cassandra, Addy, Murphy where standing next to me watching the same scene unfold that I was. Doc and Mack where heading my way having to turn around however to go after Warren. I knew her pain, but I also knew this wasn't the time for her to mourn him. We needed to go and we needed to go now.
Once Mack finally had ahold of Warren she was fighting against him. I saw Charlie finally fall limp in her arms and now I couldn't help the tears that spilled over. I didn't know how much more death I could handle. Once Mack and Doc got Warren into the truck I yelled for 10k to hurry and get back to us.
We were finally all back together as I threw the keys to Mack letting him take over driving. Warren was in the passenger seat next to him, my brother, Doc and Cassandra in the back, Addy, 10k and I sitting in the bed of the truck. We had barely made it out of the compound when all of a sudden Warren yelled for Mack to stop the truck. Skidding to a stop she jumped out whipping the tears from her face. Turning around and watching what she was doing Murphy turned to ask what she was doing, only for Addy to hush him. Sitting across from Addy and next to 10k I watched as Warren came around the truck grabbing 10k's rifle from him. Taking a deep breath she looked through the scope back into the compound.
"Charles Garnett, I give you mercy," she stated as she pulled the trigger. I jumped slightly looking down, the day Hayley died replaying over and over in my head. Silent tears where falling down my cheeks thinking of the two people in my life that where now dead. Without warning there was a warm reassuring hand on my leg. Looking over I saw 10k's hand resting just above my knee. Looking over to him he gave me a small reassuring smile as Warren handed his gun back to him. Taking the gun he removed his hand from my leg.
"Someday maybe we'll find out the real reason the zombie apocalypse happened. All this death and destruction, all the pain and heartache. Who do we blame? Maybe it was a government virus that escaped the lab. Maybe it was voodoo, or maybe God just doesn't like us. Sounds days though I wonder if we brought this on ourselves. I mean, we had a chance to do this whole planet Earth thing right, and….and we blew it. We got the apocalypse we deserved. But if we're lucky, some day this will all be over. I hope so. And next time, I hope we get it right."
