Forest Park: A Zombie Novel (23 page)

“You think we should just roll on down there?” Tyler said.

“I don’t see why not.”

“Cook, what are your thoughts on this?” Tyler asked him.

“I trust you’ll make the right choice,” Cook said.

Tyler chuckled to himself.

“What’s so funny?” Cook asked.

“If you knew, it would probably kill you,” Tyler answered him.

“Anderson, survey the surrounding area. I’ll watch the target. If it’s one of ours, I want them covered, we’ll be their guardian angels,” Tyler said, his choice made.

Lieutenant Anderson pressed his M16A4 to his shoulder and readied it to fire single shot bursts.

For the next few minutes, nobody spoke.

“Oh, God,” Tyler said as he pulled his night-vision goggles from his face with disgust.

“What is it?” asked Cook.

“You don’t want to know,” Anderson said as he lowered his rifle and removed his goggles as well.

“Is it that bad?” Cook asked. “Was it a kid?”

Tyler stood up and began to walk away. “I’m calling the area cleared,” he said as Lieutenant Anderson got to his feet and then followed him. Nevertheless, he first offered his night-vision goggles to Cook, who refused to take them.

“I don’t need to see it,” Cook said. “Just tell me.”

“It was just as you had said, but it wasn’t alive. A dog was dragging it...” Anderson said as he replaced the night-vision goggles back on his head and continued to walk away.

Cook looked up at the smoky sky. “At least the child was truthfully dead. I can thank you for that.”

* * *

Tyler leaned against the Humvee as the others stood around him in a half circle: Anderson, Cook, Williams, Charlie and Susan. Using a stick, a few rocks and a paper cup, Tyler told them the outline of his plan, which had only one possible problem, how to pump the gas? “If the pumps rely on the grid for power, we could be in some trouble,” Tyler said to the group, “unless the gas station itself has a backup generator, but if there is no generator for the gas pumps. I don’t know…”

“Well, that’s some awesome planning,” Susan said. “Which leaves me with just one question.”

Tyler sighed. “What?”

“Were you also involved in finding the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Because with your insight, you would have been a real asset to the team,” Susan said and then laughed alone.

There was no choice but to try though, regardless of what problems could exist, Tyler considered.

The vehicles needed fuel, and some more again in reserve, so Tyler continued to explain to them the entire plan. They would use the Humvee to force any vehicles that obstructed the pumps out of the way. Williams would stay with the Humvee to man the .50 calibre at all times. While Cook would deal with pumping the gas, providing all was well.

Tyler had given Susan the task of collecting water and anything edible for the journey ahead once the main area of the gas station was secured. It was a relatively easy task, even so, she voiced a complaint. “So a woman’s job is in the kitchen, Captain?”

“Can you use a gun?” Tyler asked her.

“If you can use one, I don’t see how hard it could be. On the other hand, maybe the lieutenant could give me a quick lesson on the basics of using a firearm and firearm safety?”

“No,” he said and then continued, “Do you know anything about generators?”

She shook her head no, again.

“Would you rather pump the gas?” Tyler asked.

“I’m a full service girl,” she said.

“Then yes; your job is in the kitchen, Miss Shaw.”

Tyler glanced over to Charlie. “Charlie.”

“Yes.” The big man was already sounding nervous.

“You help Officer Cook, whatever he says goes. Lieutenant Anderson will keep the outer perimeter under surveillance and will protect you both.”

“What about me?” Susan asked.

“I’ll protect you too,” Anderson said to her.

“Super!”

“I’ll get the pumps running if they’re not working. Otherwise I will support Lieutenant Anderson.”

Tyler gave his team one last look before heading out.

“We didn’t see any creatures that are mobile near the gas station. However, we will see some gruesome sights. Just keep your cool and everything will be fine, but if something does happen, if some creatures do arrive while we’re fueling up, try not to panic,” Tyler said, making eye contact with everyone in the group.

“Those of us, who’re armed, pick your targets and shoot for effect. Head shots only. Even so, just shoot if there is no other recourse; otherwise use one of the shovels on the Humvee. We’re low on ammo, and guns make loud noises. Keep your noses clean and your wits about you. You all know that if you become infected, you’re already dead. I have faith in all of you, and I have a good feeling about this. We’re all getting out of here alive or on my head be it. Let’s go!”

Susan opened the door to the Wolfpac and slumped into her seat. “God, that guy’s an Asshole with a capital A. Who the fuck does he think he is? We’d be better off with Lieutenant Anderson in command. A real man, smart, athletic, intelligent.”

Charlie didn’t say anything.

“Fucking Tyler. Paul was no different than him; the same macho bullshit. You’re lucky. It’s easier for a man, even a dumb fuck like you, only women can understand how cruel and twisted these types of men are. You stick with me; I’ll watch your back, just you and me --- a real team. This guy Tyler will kill us all, unless I do something about it. I have to stop him to save the group, to get us all home. And if he thinks I’ll be playing den mother to a bunch of immature, cowboy wannabes riding the range for shits and giggles, he has another thing coming!”

“We need the fuel Susan.”

She glared at Charlie. “Yeah, trust you to want to go play toy soldiers, Charlie. Why don’t you go and ask your boyfriend for a ride in their GI Joe Jeep and give ’em all a great big kiss.”

“I wasn’t saying…”

Charlie had known Susan to walk off the deep end before, but this was something that was even beyond what he knew of her. Her entire demeanor had changed from angry, to unhinged without so much as a warning. The hate he felt radiating from her was almost unpalatable, in spite of being as greatly in love with her as he was. He had always been afraid of Susan and worried about the looks she would sometimes give him; looks of disgust and pity, looks that made him feel smaller than a dime, and worth just as much. Except this was different. She scared him now, really scared him.

It was then he realized he had to help her, no matter what she might do, or what she had said to him, he had to help her. She needed him more than ever and in the end, she would love him for it. He was sure of it.

“Whatever, he expects me to walk around without a gun and to rely on the big brave captain for my safety. What is this, 1884? Do I look like the preacher’s wife? Just who the fuck does Tyler think he is? When we get back to civilization, I’m going to expose this moron to the world. I’ll tell the world how he ran away and left all those people behind, and how they begged him for help before he served them up for lunch. I’ll let everyone know that he is a coward.”

“That’s not true,” Charlie said.

“That doesn’t matter; the media is king. Look at the Arab spring. You-tube brought down Gaddafi and Mubarak! People will believe what they’re told to believe, and they trust in me! I have a fan base, Charlie, remember?”

“I remember.”

“I remember too. I remember everything, especially those who help me. You know that, don’t you, Charlie?”

“I do.”

She was right, Tyler had treated her badly --- maybe it went both ways? However, I know where my loyalty lies --- we’re a team now. The captain doesn’t understand just how important Susan really is, and what she means to millions of people. If he did, maybe things would be better. She wouldn’t be as angry, and upset. He didn’t like to see her upset.

Charlie reached under his seat and searched for the Colt .45. Pistol that he stole from the armory just before the gas pumps had exploded.

“Take this, it’s loaded,” he said.

Susan snatched at it and held it with both hands.

Her face was beaming with delight.

It was then Charlie noticed that her injury was bleeding lightly.

“Cool,” she said, and then gave Charlie a huge kiss.

It sent his face bright red. “Don’t let them know I gave it to you,” he said, “otherwise Tyler will get angry, and you need me to work both sides, yeah?”

“Fuck them, Charlie.” She pointed the Colt toward Tyler as he climbed into the Humvee.

“I feel like a super hero,” she said.

“Hide it, please.”

Susan frowned before placing the gun in her handbag. “I’ll hide it for the sake of our team, but don’t cross me, Charlie. I’ll remember.”

WITHOUT A HITCH

“It’s said that it’s the coldest before the dawn,” Tyler said to Anderson.

Anderson shrugged while Cook said, “Today I’d have to agree.”

Each of the men could feel the dawn’s icy fingers tickling its sharp nails down their spines, sending cold shivers deep into their cores.

“All clear,” Williams said as he continued to scan the area wearing his night-vision goggles. “I think we’re good to go.”

“I don’t like this...” Anderson said.

“Everyone gets jumpy. I used to feel the same in Iraq, counting down the clock, the nervous glances, and soul-searching. We all do it, and on every mission, no matter how many you’ve done, successful or not. You could almost say that it was a tradition,” answered Tyler, who then climbed out of the Humvee.

Tyler removed his night-vision goggles to get a feel for the darkness, and found its utter completeness disturbing. Abandoned vehicles and the odor of corpses surrounded him. Tyler could smell death, a sickly, sweet, musk that wafted through the air. Nevertheless, the Dead were nowhere to be seen.

Where the fuck are they?

“Just wait a second, guys,” Tyler said as he walked cautiously around to the far side of the Humvee.

“Stop right there, Captain,” said Williams, “you don’t want to step in that.”

Tyler paused and then replaced his night-vision goggles and saw at his feet the remains of someone less fortunate than him.

“Captain.”

Tyler looked up at Williams who was pointing at a nearby vehicle.

“I think we have a hostile... that vehicle over there,” Williams said, while still pointing ahead.

“Great,” Tyler said as he drew his SIG P226 and circled around to the front of the vehicle, holding his gun in both hands. Tyler approached the driver’s side door, but he could barely see inside even with the aid of night-vision goggles, the damn windows were too heavily tinted. Shit...

“On the count of three,” he said to himself. “One...two...”

Tyler flung the driver-side door wide open to see an obese man feasting on the remains of a corpse. The Dead man turned in Tyler’s direction and began to snarl like a big cat protecting its kill.

Tyler holstered his gun. “Williams, throw me a spade.”

“Huh?”

“An entrenching tool, a spade --- throw me one.”

As Tyler spoke, Anderson came alongside him, his assault rifle at the ready.

“Don’t shoot...” Tyler warned him.

“I got it,” Anderson answered only seconds before the morbidly obese thing lurched toward them both. The sudden movement startled Anderson, who stepped backwards, knocking him into Tyler, who fell to the ground bringing Anderson with him, but not before Anderson accidentally squeezed the trigger of his rifle --- the shot popping the Dead man’s head like a helium balloon.

“Jesus Christ!” Tyler said as he lay on the ground.

“It came at us,” Anderson said in his own defense.

“The fucking thing was dead and morbidly obese. God only knows how slow it was when it was alive, let alone deceased.” Tyler looked away from the corpse. “Unless the next Dead thing moves like Usain Bolt, don’t fucking shoot!”

“Sorry,” Anderson said.

“Don’t apologise to me, apologise to everyone for putting their lives in jeopardy,” Tyler said as he checked the gas pumps. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Anderson.

“The pumps are down. I’ll look for a generator.”

Now feeling the pressure of time, Tyler trotted toward the glass entrance of the gas station.

The two glass sliding doors were open to either side, ready for business.

Lieutenant Anderson walked back to the other vehicles, the chewing out he had received still ringing in his ears. He’d fucked up, he knew that. He didn’t need Tyler ramming it up his ass; he didn’t deserve that. No fucking way. He tripped me. I wouldn’t have fired a shot if he hadn’t been in the fucking way. Fucking prick, maybe Susan had a point? She’d warned him about Tyler back when they were on the base, where he had gotten to know her better. The man’s a screw up and blames everyone else. How else did he end up here in Forest Park? And this, this is a bad idea. It’s obvious it’s a dreadful idea. We should just keep going; we should have gotten outside of town first, clear of these fucking things and fuel up then. It was worth the risk. We have enough fuel for now.

“He shouldn’t have spoken to you like that, Lieutenant. It’s not right what he did,” Susan said.

Lieutenant Anderson smiled at her. “I know.”

“How’s it all going?” Cook asked Anderson as he climbed out of the Humvee after hearing the argument.

“How do you think?” Anderson said. “He had no right to say what he did.”

“People in command see things differently to their subordinates,” Cook answered.

“And who was that meant as an excuse for?”

“Pressure gets to everyone,” Cook said, ignoring Anderson’s attempts to draw him into a discussion they didn’t have the time to have.

“I’m trained for it. The pressure, I cope with it fine.”

“I’m trained for it too,” Cook said, “but pressure has a way of creeping up on you.”

“I don’t have time for this, Officer Cook; I have things to do, vehicles to move. Even so, don’t worry, even with all the pressure, I’ll still protect you,” Anderson said.

“That’s not what I meant when I asked you how---”

“Damn what you meant,” Anderson said as he walked away.