As The World Dies: The First Days-A Zombie Trilogy Page 23

  The Mayor slowly raised his head and Jenni could tell he was a defeated man who had grabbed onto whatever was left of his power base.

  "What about the lesbo?"

  The voice came from the back of the room.

  Travis' face darkened, but he kept his temper. "Katie, Bill, and Curtis have experience in law enforcement--"

  "She killed Patrick in cold blood!"

  "Patrick was bitten," Travis said softly. "A bite is deadly in this new world. He was dead already. And yeah, you get bit, you are going to be delivered out of this life fast and quick to keep the rest of us safe."

  "That's murder!"

  Jenni strained to see who was talking.

  "No, it's being humane. Now, Katie, Bill, and Curtis are going to work together to make sure that everyone understands the new rules around here."

  "Who gave you the right?" An older man now.

  "No one. But it's what we are good at. We'll need everyone to work hard to keep this place safe." Travis looked grim. "We need to work together, or we will all die."

  Katie said in a low voice, "Tell them the plans."

  Travis nodded. "First off, we cleared out the zombies to the point that none have been seen since yesterday. Tomorrow, we'll dispose of all the bodies after removing the corral and clearing the area..."

  He spoke softly, but firmly. Juan had a plan to devise a new entry point using the street to the east by rigging up what he called the "Panama Canal.” It was a simple series of walls with gates. Anyone entering by vehicle would have to drive into two locks to give guards time to shoot any zombies who slipped in as well. Then the vehicle would enter an area behind the construction site that would be walled off and enter the garage of the building that had once housed a county newspaper office and distribution center.

  "So, we're expanding the wall as fast as we can. We'll use the storage containers to block off an area for safety, build the wall, then move the containers again until we have enough space."

  They would go into the hotel and the old newspaper building and clear it out, then brick up every entrance that would be facing the outside world. Everyone would be moved into the hotel.

  Other teams would take trucks to go into the town and bring back supplies.

  "Seeds so we can plant gardens for food, as much food as possible, bedding, tools, toilet paper..." Peggy read off a long list.

  Other teams would look for survivors. They would be armed, of course, and Mike would train those volunteers, since he was former army.

  Juan added, "I'm heading to the library. We need books on farming, medicine, weapons, warfare..."

  "We have a window of opportunity before another batch of those bastards show up," Travis said as the meeting continued.

  "What about the army coming to rescue us?"

  Curtis shook his head. "The best news I have is that they are holed up at a rescue station in Madison and under heavy siege."

  "We have to rescue ourselves," Katie said.

  Jenni looked over the people in the room to see that they actually did understand. There was seriousness in their features and a grim determination that gave her hope.

  "Everyone just needs to do what they are good at. We need to work together. I don't want to be your leader, but someone who is helping out."

  There were murmurs of agreement to Travis' words.

  "What about the lesbo bitch? Shane is locked up because of her."

  Jenni finally spot him. A tall man with dark brown hair and a heavy mustache. An older guy, grizzled and fierce.

  Curtis stood up slowly. "He agrees to act like a civilized man, we'll let him out. But the rule remains. You get bit, you will be given the gift of a quick death."

  There was silence, then Rosie, Juan's mother, said, "That is fair. And right."

  More murmurs of agreement.

  Travis motioned to those at the table. "All of us are heading up some part of the fortifying of this fort. Come to us. Talk to us. Volunteer. We need to work hard to get this done."

  Jenni raised her hand as high as she could.

  Travis acknowledged her.

  "I just want to say that in every zombie movie internal fighting is what finally let’s the zombies in to win," she said, and gave Travis a big smile.

  There was total silence at this, but Juan nodded. "She's right. We keep it together or die."

  The grizzled old timer snorted, but shrugged. "Fine."

  Jenni gave him a long look and leaned over to Jason. " He'll be trouble."

  Jason nodded. "Yeah, I know."

  The meeting finally broke up. Most of the people actually seemed relieved that there was some sort of plan. Katie stood slowly and her hand rose to her battered face. Travis turned to her to make sure she was okay. Jenni hesitated, feeling a little jealous. Katie was her best friend, not Travis'. She sighed and fought the emotion. It was hard to share at times. Katie gave him a little smile. She gave Jenni an even bigger smile and Jenni grinned happily.

  Juan started past her.

  "Hey, I'm going with you," Jenni informed Juan.

  Juan stared at her for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. But you'll do as I say."

  Jenni smirked. "Of course, I will."

  Katie laughed and sat back down slowly. "I wish I could go along just to enjoy the banter."

  "We don't banter," Juan said with a sniff.

  "We argue," Jenni agreed.

  "We hate each other," Juan added.

  "Viciously," Jenni said with a nod.

  Travis regarded both of them, then looked at Katie. "I think they're secretly dating."

  Juan sputtered and Jenni made a face.

  "Yeah, definitely," Katie agreed.

  Juan and Jenni eyed each other for a moment and both shook their heads vehemently.

  "I'd rather date you, Travis," Juan said firmly.

  "Oh, how cute!" Katie laughed and wagged her finger at both the men. "It would be a match in heaven."

  Jenni flung her arms playfully around Katie's neck as she sat on her lap. "And I have a woman."

  Katie just giggled and missed Travis' stricken expression.

  If Jenni had seen, she would realized her kidding had hit a nerve, but she missed it and the two women began to joke around.

  Travis and Juan slipped away.

  "Told you," Juan said simply.

  "Yeah," Travis said glumly.

  "Want to hold my hand?"

  Travis snorted. "Ha, ha."

  "What? I'm a sexy bitch!"

  Travis just kept walking.

  3. What Have I Become

  Katie felt trapped within the fort now that others were venturing out into the town. It was three days since the great battle and she was a walking bruise. Her jaw ached and her eye looked worse than ever. She was healing, but her bruises were still rising to the surface and revealing themselves in all their colorful glory.

  The first group to go out of the fort had returned with truckloads of food from the local grocery and survivors from the convenience store she and Travis had stopped on the way to Nerit and Ralph's. Unfortunately, they had become too confident and two zombies had dragged down one of the fort's men in the grocery store. It was a sobering moment that reminded everyone vividly that the danger still existed even though the zombies were not crowded outside their walls. It was a bitter irony to add ten new people to their company while losing another.

  Travis had called off any other sojourns out of the fort for another day. He enlisted Mike to once more go over gun safety and procedure, with Curtis helping him out with demonstrations. They couldn't afford to lose anyone else.

  As her body struggled to heal, she sat in on planning sessions for the new entrance and the taking of the hotel. Though she didn't understand all the logistics and the terminology, it became apparent that Juan and Travis were clever and resourceful. If she were well enough, she would be joining the team that was going in to clear out the hotel. Meanwhile, Jenni had volunteered to go into town to the library with Juan and
had also volunteered to stand guard at night.

  Katie suspected Jenni was interested in standing guard due to Travis taking the late shift. It was pretty clear to her that Jenni was interested in Travis. Whether the attraction went both ways, she wasn't sure.

  Unable to sleep, Jack and Jason snoring loudly on the nearby cot, she slid off her bed and wandered up to the roof. The wind was cool and soft on her skin and she hugged herself to keep warm. Sitting down on a plastic chair someone had left up there, she looked up at the bright stars and sighed.

  It was hard to feel peace when you now knew you could kill without remorse and on pure instinct. In her mind, she replayed the image of that man, torn and bleeding, and how he had not even realized her finger was pulling back the trigger. He had been so relieved that she had saved him. Then she had truly saved him.

  Rubbing her hands together, she leaned forward and sighed. Staring at the rooftop between her feet, she took a deep breath of cool, fresh air. With the zombie bodies gone, she felt liberated to take deep breaths. The air was fresh once more.

  "We do what we have to do," Lydia's voice whispered.

  She looked up to see Lydia sitting in the chair next to her. "Baby?"

  Lydia smiled and reached out to run her fingers lightly down her cheek. "I'm here, sweetie."

  Katie fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around Lydia's waist, clinging to her. Her cheek pressed to Lydia's lap, she began to weep. "I'm dreaming."

  "It's okay though, isn't it?" Lydia's long cool fingers stroked her hair gently.

  "Yes, oh, yes. I was afraid I wouldn't dream of you anymore. Not after what I did."

  Lydia carefully lifted Katie's chin to gaze down at her. "And what did you do?"

  "I killed that man. I just killed him."

  "But you killed Jason's friend and his friend's father at the camp."

  "They wanted me to. They were infected!" Katie face was wet with tears.

  Lydia lovingly traced the contours of her face with the tips of her fingers. "And how was this different?"

  "I just...did...it." Katie's voice caught and she shivered. "And I don't...feel bad."

  Lydia nodded. "I know, baby. And you shouldn't. You shouldn't feel bad. You saved him from my fate. You liberated him from hell. You did what you had to."

  "I don't feel bad, Lydia, because I hate them. I want them all to die. I don't care what they are or once were. And when I knew he would be one of those things, he stopped being human to me and I killed him. And I don't fucking feel bad!"

  Lydia leaned down and gently kissed Katie's forehead. "I know, baby. I know. But there is more, isn't there?"

  Katie drew back. "I don't want to talk about it."

  "Katie, tell me."

  "I can't!" Katie stood up and wiped at her face with trembling fingers.

  Lydia slowly stood up and took Katie's face between her hands. With infinite tenderness and love, she kissed Katie's lips. Katie clung to her and kissed her back.

  "I love you, Lydia. I should have..."

  Lydia lightly kissed her again. "Tell me."

  Katie shivered and whispered against Lydia's soft lips, "Oh, gawd..."

  "Tell me."

  "I should have killed you!"

  Lydia nodded and drew back. Her figure began to alter before Katie's eyes. Lydia looked down at her chest as a huge hole opened slowly and her emptiness was revealed. Raising milky eyes, Lydia whispered, "You should have."

  And then she rushed Katie screaming.

  Katie awoke, tumbled off the plastic chair, and landed hard on the roof. Travis was there in an instant, helping her up.

  "Geezus, you're shaking," he said with concern.

  Katie looked around, terrified. Her fingers gripped his shirt tightly as she swung her head around, looking desperately for the ghoul from her nightmare. But the rooftop was empty except for them.

  "Travis," she sobbed.

  "I'm here," he answered, his gaze concerned.

  "Travis, I let her down," Katie choked out, then collapsed against him, weeping.

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, feeling her trembling violently against him. Tenderly, he stood stroking her hair as the woman cried, not understanding her rambling words. But he knew her heart was broken and his broke for her.

  At last, he helped her down the stairs back to her room. She walked slowly, weakly, and leaned heavily against him. When he entered, Jenni was just lying down. Seeing Katie, she immediately sprang up and took her from him.

  "Katie, honey, what is it?"

  Travis released Katie reluctantly and watched Jenni help her lay down. He stood awkwardly as Katie reached out to Jenni and they clasped hands.

  "Lydia," Katie said in a clear voice at last. "She's still out there-one of them."

  Jenni knelt next to the cot and sighed. "I know, Katie."

  Travis said, rather lamely he thought later, "I think she's upset."

  Jenni looked up at him and nodded. "Yeah." She stood, pushed her cot up to Katie's, and lay down. "I'll take care of her."

  Katie seemed to relax as Jenni curled up next to her and held her hand.

  Travis nodded and backed out of the room slowly. He turned and shut the door behind him.

  Juan was coming up the stairs smoking despite all the "Thank You For Not Smoking" signs all over the city hall. The recovery team had brought back beer and cigarettes from the grocery store and Juan was a happy man. He hesitated when he saw Travis.

  "Ever see Chasing Amy? " Juan asked after a beat.

  "No," Travis answered.

  "Eh, yer fucked," Juan decided.

  "Yeah." Travis looked at the door.

  "Well, I'm off to get shut eye. Loca and I are heading out tomorrow around noon."

  "Take it easy out there," Travis answered automatically.

  "As long as Loca doesn't shoot me in the ass, it should be just fine." Juan grinned and walked on.

  Travis looked back at the closed door and thought of Jenni's expression when she had seen Katie. The compassion in her eyes had touched him deeply. Yeah, he shared something with Katie, but it didn't seem to compare to the bond the women had.

  And it made him feel very alone.

  He walked on slowly, deep in thought.

  4. Not Always As It Seems

  “Coast is clear!"

  Juan nodded to Jenni and she quickly let herself down the ladder and onto the main street. It was empty of bodies and covered in about a half foot of rich fresh earth. It didn't smell nearly as bad as it had. She walked quickly and confidently to the city truck Juan had pointed out to her. He had once worked for the city as a maintenance guy and was sure it was reliable and ready to go.

  Juan dropped down behind her, walking with his rifle in his hands. His long hair flowed curly and crazed from beneath his cowboy hat.

  "Almost seems like a normal day," he said.

  Jenni looked around and nodded. "Want to go by McDonald's for a McGriddle?"

  "Do not torture me, Loca. I loved those fuckers."

  The truck perimeter had been moved outward and now a new wall was being erected directly behind it. Also, the storage containers were moved off to their new location as the first of the "locks" was built. Everyone was working hard. Well, except for Old Man Watson. He sat around, smiling, nodding and look pretty oblivious to what was going down.

  Jenni drew closer to the truck and ducked down to make sure there was nothing under the truck. Satisfied, she peered into the cab, then opened the door and slid in. Juan followed suit and slammed his door.

  "Okay, we are taking the shortest route there. Anything jumps up and follows us, we don't do anything fancy unless we have to. Okay?"

  Jenni nodded. "Okay."

  "Promise me."

  Jenni gave him her snootiest look. "I promise."

  Juan rolled his eyes and started the truck.

  Jenni settled back in her seat and rested her rifle across her knees. They had actually received a briefing from Mike. They were t
o stick together and at the first sign of more than one or two zombies, they were to run for safety. If possible, they were to get to a safe position and take out the zombies. Manpower was spread thin, so two men crews were being trained by Mike. Despite their bickering, Juan and Jenni had actually done quite well together and felt confident.

  Jenni watched the buildings gliding by her window thoughtfully. Many of the businesses were shut down, their fronts boarded up.

  "The town was dying," she said.

  "Pretty much dead. A developer came in and sold the city council on a big plan to revive it. In the old days, the hotel was actually a prime spot for the old Hollywood stars to come and relax while hunting out in these hills. The construction site was an old theater that one of those old stars from this area actually built for shows. We're talking early 20s. Not even talkies, but silent films. So the developer was going to tap into that and raise up a whole little bit of old Hollywood here. Even had others interested in buying up the old stores and making them into retro style diners, etc, etc. The big clincher of all this was lobbying to get gambling legalized in the county. It was a crazy idea, but the guy has...had money." Juan shrugged. "I thought it sounded like a load of shit, but it gave a lot of us jobs."

  Jenni thought this over. "I'm sure Vegas thought the same thing, huh?"

  Juan laughed. "Yeah, probably."

  The truck turned down a residential road and they both tensed. There was more of a chance of the undead in this area than in the shutdown downtown area.

  Juan swerved around a bike in the middle of the road, dried blood and guts clinging to its frame.

  "Fucked up world," he said.

  "Yeah."

  Jenni glanced into the large picture window of a house as they passed. A woman and little boy stood inside beating on the window. Neither one of them was alive.