Authors: Armand Rosamilia
She had a rough idea where Juan was right now. He was part of the cleanup crew behind the parking garage this week. The plan was to clear out the dilapidated houses and eventually build bungalows where new arrivals could stay after the walls were expanded again.
The Lich Lord had a goal to control this part of the peninsula from east to west, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Halifax River. Roughly ten blocks. They would eventually control not only The Ocean Center and the parking garage but the Daytona Lagoon attraction as well as the Ocean Walk Shoppes and the hotels lining the beach. The plan was to eventually move north and south one block at a time, tearing down the old and building the new world as they went. The plan was great but they needed more workers.
When she reached the parking garage, she saw Jeff’s motorcycle driving away, heading back to Main Street. There was a large group of survivors wandering up into the garage, with Claude motioning for them to get in a straight line.
Vee went up to Claude and smiled. “Looks like we have a few more hands to help us.”
Claude nodded. “A tent community. I think if everyone is willing to stay, we can get more of these streets cleared soon enough. I’ll also check to see how many builders and laborers we have in the bunch, too.”
Vee looked back down the ramp to the parking garage to make sure Jeff hadn’t doubled back. “Have you seen Juan?”
Claude shrugged. “I’m not sure who that is. You know how bad I am with names.”
“Big fella. Mexican, I think. He came in not too long ago,” Vee said.
“Is there any trouble?”
Vee shook her head. “None at all. Not with him, anyway. I was going to bring him with me to talk with Jeff.”
“What did he do now?” Claude asked.
Vee turned Claude’s shoulder so they weren’t facing anyone else. “There was a woman named Lola who came in with Juan.”
“Puerto Rican woman? I remember her,” Claude said.
Vee laughed. “Of course you do. Anyway… she’s dead.”
“How?”
“I think Jeff did it. In fact I am almost positive. Don’t ask me how, but I just know. And I’m afraid he’ll do it again,” Vee said.
“What did The Lich Lord say?”
“Nothing. He’s busy.”
“I’d wait until he can be notified. Seriously. Jeff is not someone to confront. He’s not only dangerous, he’s crazy,” Claude said.
“I’m only going to talk with him. I’m bringing Juan so Jeff doesn’t do anything stupid or try to hurt me,” Vee said.
“Still too dangerous.”
“I can’t let it go another minute. I want Jeff to know I know what he did,” Vee said.
“I think the guy you’re talking about is just behind the garage with a crew. Are you heading over there right now? Jeff was headed back to his bar to get some sleep he said.”
“Yes,” Vee said. She didn’t want to waste any more time on this.
“I should get this wrapped up in a couple of hours. If you’re not back or don’t send word, I will go over there and make sure you’re alright,” Claude said.
“I appreciate it. But I will come right back to this spot as soon as I’m done talking to him.”
* * * * *
Juan smiled when he saw Vee approaching. He wiped the sweat from his face and stood taller, trying to act casual and not winded from a long day of working. When he glanced over at the rest of the crew, who were all grinning, he told them to shut up.
He'd been asking around about Vee for the past few days. He was going to get the balls to talk to her soon, he kept telling himself. But despite his big size and the fact he could be loud, he was still just a shy guy. Especially around beautiful women.
And Vee was beautiful, with her dark skin and piercing eyes. She had an easy smile and nice broad hips. Juan thought they'd make some great Latino/Black children if he played his cards right. Shit, why not dream big?
"Juan, can I talk to you for a second?" Vee asked.
"Why, of course," Juan said and smiled. When she turned and started walking away, Juan gave a quick thumbs up to the crew and got in line with Vee until they were a few paces away.
Play it cool, man
, he thought.
If she is being forward and asking you out, make sure you don't get too excited until she leaves. Be the Man, man.
"What can I help you with?" Juan asked.
Getting those clothes off? Want to see how well I kiss? Need a hug?
Vee glanced over her shoulder before looking at Juan. "We have a big problem. I don't want to get everyone worked up and The Lich Lord is busy. It's something I need to do but I don't want to do it alone. Do you think you could tag along as my bodyguard?"
"Sure," Juan said without a second's pause. "Where? To see who?"
Vee sighed. "Jeff, at his bar."
"I can't stand that guy. What did he do now?" Juan was suddenly concerned. What if he'd forced himself on Vee, or done something else vile and disgusting. Juan wouldn't put it past Jeff. He was a creepy dude.
Vee leaned forward. "I think he killed Lola."
Juan balled his fists. "Lead the way."
He followed Vee back over to Main Street, trying to find something to talk about, but Vee had her jaw set and was nearly running as she moved. There wasn't time for idle chatter.
When they got to the front door of the bar Jeff frequented, Vee looked tense.
"You got this," Juan whispered.
Vee smiled and knocked on the door.
Juan knew this wasn't going to be pleasant. Jeff was going to be an asshole, which he was even if you caught him on a good day. Juan could only imagine how much Vee had endured over the weeks and maybe months dealing with Jeff.
The door opened a crack and Jeff, frowning, poked his head out but didn't say anything.
Vee looked uncomfortable but finally put her hand up. "Jeff, I need to talk to you about something important."
"Right this second?" Jeff asked, looking annoyed.
"Yes. It can't wait," Vee said.
Jeff smiled and swung the door open. He was naked and semi-hard. "Come on in. I was looking at some porn but you two kids are welcome to join me if that's your thing. We're all adults here."
Vee looked away. "Jesus Christ, put some clothes on. What is wrong with you?"
Jeff walked behind the counter of the bar laughing. "You're the one who needed to come in right this second, honey."
Juan followed Vee inside, scanning the room. There were clothes and boxes scattered everywhere. On the bar itself were several handguns and ammo. Three machetes hung on the wall near the door. If need be, Juan knew he could grab one and use it. He hoped it didn't come to that. Vee would say her piece, Jeff would deny it, and they could leave and go see The Lich Lord. Juan didn't really understand why they were here right now.
Jeff picked up a pair of jeans and put them on the counter, looking at Vee. "What's so damn important you interrupted my stroking time?"
"Lola is dead," Vee said.
"Who's Lola?" Jeff asked.
Juan wasn't surprised at the question. This was a waste of time and now Jeff knew Vee was going to make his life harder. Wrong move.
"The Puerto Rican woman who came in with Juan," Vee said and pointed at Juan.
Jeff looked at Juan and smiled. "Was Lola your girlfriend, amigo?"
Juan shook his head. "Just a good friend."
"You never got to bang her? Too bad," Jeff said and pulled a pistol from under his jeans. "She was tight at first but she loosened up. The crying was the real turn on for me."
Juan took a step forward and Jeff fired, striking Juan in the side. He felt the burning pain and fell to one knee.
"On the floor if you want to live, Vee," Jeff shouted. "I won't even bother counting to three."
Vee dropped to the floor. "You'll never get away with this."
"I already have. If you'd done the smart thing and told The Lich Lord, he would've been knocking at my front door and I'd be dead by now. But you think we live in a civilized world, one where law and order mean something." Jeff aimed the pistol at Juan, who was trying desperately to rise to his feet and get to Jeff. If he could just get close enough, maybe he'd distract Jeff and Vee could escape.
Jeff reached back and gripped rope lying on the bar without taking his eyes off of Juan. He tossed the rope on the ground in front of Vee. "You're going to tie your feet together. Tightly. If you don't, I will shoot both legs. Then you will tie your hands, and if you don't... bye bye hands."
"The Lich Lord is on his way," Vee said. "Let us go before it's too late. This is crazy. We can work this out. Juan needs medical attention for his wound."
"Two wounds," Jeff said and shot Juan in the kneecap.
Juan screamed out, his leg ruined. He fell to the floor, striking his head and blacking out for a moment. When he came to, he was weak and Jeff had just finished making sure the bonds were tight around Vee. He stuffed a red bandanna in her mouth.
Jeff, smiling and waving the pistol, walked over to Juan. "Seriously, you did all of this because you were friends with a chick?"
Juan glanced at Vee.
"Oh, Sweet Mother of God, I get it now. You have the hots for Miss Chocolate here." Jeff looked back at Vee. "She is mighty sexy. She has a fire, a passion, right? I wish you were going to be around while I broke her, Juan. But that would be stupid to do. I can't have a giant like you get all enraged when you see what I'm going to do with your secret crush. Too bad you never told her. I think you two would've made pretty mocha babies."
Jeff stopped smiling and shot Juan in the face.
Chapter Seventeen
At first, Mitchell was going to try to climb the fence and sneak down Main Street. But he realized if he was caught he'd have too much explaining to do, and he was one of the newcomers.
He went right up to the gate, announced who he was, and they let him in. They were expecting him so he figured they weren't in on the double-cross. Mitchell was sure this was all Jeff's planning, and his alone. If he'd come back and announced Mitchell as a traitor, one of the riflemen on the wall would've put a bullet in his head and left him for the zombies.
Mitchell was still angry. It was what had kept him going the return trip back to safety, and he didn't want to go to his one-room dwelling and cool off. He was hot and he would use it to confront Jeff before he lost his nerve. For all his current bravado, Mitchell knew Jeff was even more dangerous than The Lich Lord in certain aspects. He was petty and cunning and completely selfish.
He marched down the street, looking around for Jeff. If the biker saw Mitchell first he might attack, or gain the jump on him.
Mitchell smiled at a few people and tried to act casual as he picked up his pace and went to Dirty Harry's, where he knew Jeff was staying. Instead of marching through the front door, he went to the back, where in better times bands had played and a crowd had gathered to drink beer and listen.
The weapon had only two shots left. Mitchell would need to make both of them count, hoping the first shot would rip through Jeff's head. He'd make sure he stayed down with the second. If he got into an extended firefight, he was in trouble. Who knew how many guns Jeff had inside? Mitchell would run out of ammo a long time before Jeff would.
Maybe I need to go find somewhere to hide and think this through
, Mitchell thought. He paced back and forth, staring at the back door.
At least find some ammo and maybe a couple of reinforcements
. He knew there were so many people who would help or at least watch his back because of all the shit Jeff had done. But if Jeff knew he was back in town, the element of surprise would be lost. And right now Jeff had no clue Mitchell was alive and standing outside his back door, ready to kill him.
"Fuck it," Mitchell said under his breath. No better time than the present.
Mitchell went to the back door and tried the handle. It was unlocked. The voice in his head was screaming for him to run away and never look back. This was a trap. This was not going to end well.
Instead of listening, he turned the handle and pushed the door open slowly, scanning the room with his gun held up. He didn't hear anything unusual. Maybe Jeff wasn't even home. Mitchell decided if he wasn’t the best thing to do would be to hide and pounce when he returned.