Outbreak The Beginning (The Outbreak Series Book 1) (7 page)

“Those zombies are all over the neighbor’s house like a swarm and there a few on the road coming your way, over.”

“Shit!! Ok thanks. We won’t be long over.” I exit the kitchen. “Hey Hank come help me with these boxes.” Looking at him for a bit longer than necessary, I know he knows something’s up and that I don’t want to say it so Mom can hear it. He marches up to me. “Hank there are shit loads of zombies heading this way. We really need to get moving. I got all the boxes out here.”

Chapter 1
2
    

“Alright, let’s get them packed and get out of here.” I watch Nate starting up the RV’s so they should be good to go.

“Your mom just got a call from Pete, there’s only three joining us.”

I stare at Hank. “Hank what do you mean only three?”

“Well she says it’s just your sister, Pete and Tomas. The others are staying put, they think it’s not safe to go outside.”

Well, okay, that’s a given. Looking at Hank I start to tear up. This can’t be happening, I’m going to lose part of my family before this shit even really begins. While loading essentials into the vehicles I stop and look around for what might be the last time at my parent’s house.

My mom exits the house and she doesn’t look good, looks tired. “Mom I know they took you off the oxygen but do you need it for a little bit? You have done way, way, too much today.”

“No honey, I’ll be ok, just need to lie down for a while when we get to your house.”

Looking at her I see a lot of emotions going across her face. “What is it mom?”

“Egypt, just how bad is out there?”

I really don’t want to scare her but at the same time I can’t lie to her. She needs to know how bad it really is. “Yeah, it’s as bad as it can get. You have been watching the news, you’ve seen it. And the school, well I don’t know if I ever want to talk about that again!! It was really horrible but we need to get moving, they’re heading this way Mom!! Come on!” We make for the vehicles.

Hank stops me. “Hey, I’ll drive one of the RV’s, Nate’s got the other one. You drive my truck with your mom ok?”

I agree with a nod and look over at Nate. He gives me a little grin and heads over to one of the RV’s and gets inside I walk around the truck and jump in the driver’s seat. Mom looks over and smiles at me. I tell her to put her seat belt on and I put the truck in drive. This will be our new life here on out. Nothing will be the same.

Grabbing the walkie, I talk into it. “You there? We’re headed your way, be ready I’m coming in first with Mimi, the RV’s will follow right behind me. Have everyone there ready and waiting. Over!!”

“Got it Mom be careful, we will be ready! Over,” Liam says. “There’s a lot of screaming at the house next door, over.” 

“Leave it alone, nothing we can do for them. We need to watch out for ourselves. Over,”

“Roger that Mom. Over and out.”

Shaking my head at what a goof he can be sometimes I start to drive down the driveway. I wait for Hank and Nate to catch up with me and when they are close behind me I turn right and out of the driveway and head home.

Driving down our street I see people packing their cars and trucks. Where would they be going, this shit is everywhere, they need to stay at home and lock it down?! Stupid, stupid, people. I keep going as they stop and stare at us going down the road. 

“Oh my God Egypt stop, stop, the truck and go help those people!!” my mom yells.

Hitting the brakes I look over to where she’s pointing. Two zombies are attacking a heavy-set woman. They munch on her entrails and there is blood everywhere. My mom reaches over and starts honking the horn. I grab her hand and push it away!! “MOM stop! Don’t do that, they will come over here damn it!!” I look back over and shit, just as I feared they are looking right at us with tongues licking bloody lips.

The bigger one gets up and stares right at us. He has blood all over his face and what looks to be skin dropping from his open mouth. My mom screams and tells me to go. Shaking my head I put the truck in park. “Mom, I can’t do that I have to put her out of her misery. Grabbing my 9mm, I jump out of the truck locking the doors behind me. Hank is getting out of the RV. I see that look and I know he knows what I have to do. Slowly I walk up to the scene going on in front of me.

Raising my gun, I take aim. I can’t believe I have to shoot her but deep down I know what will happen if I don’t and I just couldn’t live with that. I aim right for her head. I’m sorry I tell her and shoot. Her brains shower the grass with thick chunks of matter. I hear two other shots go off and see both zombie go down.

Whirling around, I see Nate lowering his gun. Damn my kid is so good. I rush back to the truck. Hank puts his hand on my shoulder for a second and walks back to the RV. I hop in the truck, never looking at my mom and put it into gear.

Home! Hitting the brakes, I see the gates starting to open. When there is enough room I hit the gas and go inside. I pull the truck all the way to the garage door so the RVs have room to maneuver around me and get to the back yard. I hop out and yell for Tabby to help Mimi into the house and I jog over to the gate and keep an eye out to make sure nothing nasty is coming in with them.

As Nate pulls the last RV through, I yell at Liam to shut the gate. When it’s all the way closed I make for the garage. 

I head up the steps to the roof. I grab one of John’s cigarettes and light it up. Rubbing the back of my neck, I look out over the horizon. Well the school doesn’t look to be on fire anymore. And the neighbor’s house is smoldering now. I really hate that smell in the air. I hear some shouting to the right of me and I know I can’t help everyone that needs it. I have to start thinking about my family. And the family that’s still out there, trying to get here. Taking a hit of my cigarette I start to relax. Well no time like the present to get inside and in the back yard to get these RV’s ready for people. Flicking the smoke down on the driveway, I head for the stairs.                                                                              

Going down the stairs, I check out the garage, Nate is hooking up the camera monitors. He’s really taking charge of the ops room so to speak, at least now we will be able to see what’s going on outside the gates without any risk. The rest of the garage is empty but soon it will be a home with a couch, chairs and tables.

Rufus and Herk greet me at the kitchen door. Bending down, I pet both of them. I see mom and Tabby chatting in the dining room.  I grab five bottles of water from the refrigerator and join Mom and Tabby. I hand my mom and Tabby a bottle and head to the sliding glass doors and out on to the deck. I see the guys and hand them something to drink.

“It looks like we’ll be able to fit one more RV back here after Pete and your sister brings theirs, if we need to,” Hank says.

“Looking good back here and anyone that stays in one the RV’s will be just as safe as in the house. Nate is hooking up the camera stuff. And there should be four going out here sometime today,” I say.

“That would be good. Looks like you have enough wood for a while but we should think of getting more. We don’t know how long the electricity and supplies will last. I know it’s July but winter will be here and we will need that wood for cooking and to stay warm,” Hank says.

“I agree. That’s something we can talk about in the next week or two. We need to make sure after dinner we get all your guys’ stuff unpacked and where you want it, so that we can get these RV’s set up and ready,” I say.

“You’re right. Where’s your mom and I staying. We could stay in one of the RVs,” Hank says.

“No Hank, mom and you will be in the house. You guys can have the set of rooms across from mine. And Gabriella and Pete can have the extra bedroom down stairs. Nate and Liam said they can share with Tomas,” I say.

“Looks like you have this all planned out and set up. OK, what do you need me to do Egypt?” Hank asks.

“Liam can you keep setting the stabilizers on the RVs? Hank and I are heading inside for a bit,” I ask him.

“Yep Mom I’m good,” he says and pats his thigh.

Looking at him I notice he’s armed like Rambo, shaking my head with a smile on my face. Hank and I head into the house. Hank stops on the deck and sits down at the table. He’s looking worn out. I bet he didn’t get any sleep last night. Walking by him, I put my hand on his shoulder and glance into the house at Tabitha and my mom. Tabby sees my nod and she exits.

“Hey babe,” I say. “Can you get G-dad and myself a cup of coffee please?”

She nods her head yes and heads back into the house.

“Hank when is the last time you slept?” I ask.

Running his hands over his face he looks at me. “It’s been over 24 hours. I couldn’t sleep last night. Your mom was hearing noises all night so I stayed up and kept an eye on things. Egypt, this is really scaring your mom. I just don’t know what to do, I know being here with you will help her, I guess I wish there was more that I can do.”

“Hank being here helps her how exactly?”

“Well you know all about this zombie stuff. You watched movies and you read about them in books,” Hank says.

I chuckle. “Oh Hank, they are just movies and books. This is real. I feel just like the rest of you, scared and no clue what to do next,” I say.

Hank looks at me for a minute. “Egypt, don’t sell yourself short. Look around you. Look what you’ve done in just two days. There’s going to be nowhere safer than here and you did all this!! Just want you to know I’m behind you 100 %. And anyone coming here has to be too, or they need to get out. You hear me! You hear what I’m saying Egypt?”

Looking out over the back yard, at all the RV’s and the things that we have, I know he’s right, that I’m in charge of all this and when everyone comes here they have to know it too. I didn’t ask for this. It’s just the way it’s going to be.

“I know Hank, I just didn’t ask for all this.”

“I know you didn’t but it’s yours and you make sure you keep it. You will need to give everyone a job to do. Everyone needs to help out because you know just as well as I do we won’t make it if we don’t pull together,” Hank says.

Tabby comes out with the coffee in both hands. She sets them down on the table and sits on my lap.

It’s been a really long time since she has done that. Rubbing her back and playing with her hair, I ask her what’s wrong.

“Well you know Mom, the end of the world stuff and all that.” She puts her hand on her stomach and I look down.

Shit why didn’t I see that before. She’s really got a belly on her. She looks at me and I see tears streaming down her face. Hugging her a bit tighter, I know this needs to come out.

“Tabby how far along are you?” I ask.

I look at Hank and see a dawning realization on his face.

Chapter 13

“I’m three months Mom, what am I going to do. I didn’t tell anyone because with all the health problems I had going on, I, I, just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to lose it,” Tabby says.

“Well I really wish you would have told me sooner. As for what are you going to do? Have the baby, be the best mother you can be. Like I know you can be,” I corrected. “You will be safe here. Everyone here will see to that. Do you know what you’re having? Do you have anything yet for the baby?” I ask. Thinking to myself that I feel so bad she has to go through all this at a time like this. That we need to make sure we have everything that they need. I’m starting to feel really stressed. Not what I thought I would be dealing with, the zombie Apocalypse raining down on our heads.  Looking at Hank, he’s the smart one, sitting there drinking his coffee watching us.

Tabby wipes her eyes and takes a sip of my coffee. “It’s a girl Mom and no I don’t have anything. What am I going to do?” She cries.

“Tabitha, we’ll get what you need don’t worry about anything, you just need to take care of yourself and that great grandbaby of mine. Mom and I will worry about the rest,” Hank says.

I must have a shocked look on my face because I see that he’s grinning. Ok so I sure didn’t expect for him to react that way or say what he did for that matter.

“Hey babe, how’s dinner coming? I know it sure smelled amazing when I walked in. And did anyone hear from Pete?” I ask her. 

“Dinner should be ready in a couple hours. Uncle Pete and them are about an hour away,” she says.

“Ok why don’t you get the boys together and have them, start unpacking G-dad’s truck and putting it where Mimi tells them to. And show her their room. Make sure they have towels in their bathroom and anything thing else they want in there. Oh, and plug in the mini refrigerator too.” Tabby gets off my lap and heads in.

“Before you say anything, we’ll make this work. We’ll have to start to hit stores, whichever ones we can and you know it. She’s going to need way more supplies for herself and that baby,” Hank says.

“I know Hank, just never expected this to be put on the list,” I say. “Why don’t you go catch a few hours of sleep while dinner’s cooking and let the boys unpack? You know they did sleep last night.”

Standing up and stretching Hank says, “Yeah I think I will, I’ll go lay on the couch for a bit.”

“No Hank! Go to my room. You’ll rest better there.” 

“Just wake me up when dinner is almost done or if you need help,” he says.

“I sure will Hank, now go get some sleep,” I tell him.

He walks into the dining room. He says something to my mom and heads to the back of the house. Herk jumps onto my lap and starts kissing me unmercifully. “Ok Herk, I love you too, my little man.” I rub him behind his little ears and he lies down. I sit there for a minute. I know I should get up and start doing something. So I head into the house with the doggies in tow. They are never far from me. 

“Hey Mom are the kids unloading your stuff into your rooms?” I ask.

“Yes they are. Tabby is making sure they are doing it right. Want to walk back with me?” she asks, looking scared.

“Sure can but Mom your safe here you know, they won’t get in here and besides if one did we are all armed. It wouldn’t last long you know. If it would make you feel better I can have Liam get you the 38 I know you like that little gun and can handle it okay,” I say.

Walking down the hall together I look into the bathroom and see that it’s stocked to the gills and see that my bedroom door is closed. Good, Hank’s resting he needs it because we’re going to need him. Walking to the spare bedroom door I open it for my mom and we enter. It’s a nice room, there’s a full size bed in one corner, with tons of pillows and blankets on it and there’s a little table with an oversized chair. Then against the far wall there is a little wood burning stove with a little pile of wood next to it. There’s a door leading into a small library. Then right to the left of us is a small bathroom, shower, tub, a sink and toilet. Their room and my room are the only ones with private bathrooms. The other two bathrooms will have to be shared.

Mom walks in and sits down on the chair. She looks around the room realizing she will be living here quit possibly for the rest of our lives. “Egypt, thank you for this room I can let coach out and everything,” she says.

“Yes Mom you can and don’t worry, there’s a 6 foot fence around the little patio outside, nothing will get in that way I promise.” 

“I know babe,” she says.

The boys enter with boxes and bags. My mom starts telling them where she wants them. I leave her to it, I know she has everything under control.

Walking down the hall I head into the family room. Sitting in my favorite chair I turn the TV up. I wonder if there are any news updates. It’s still on the same channel as the past 2 days. So I sit there and listen.

Youngstown is in a state of chaos. The authorities and state officials are telling everyone to stay where they are. Don’t come into the cities as they are being overrun by gangs and the infected. If you are bitten or scratched quarantine yourself. Do not spread the contamination by going to hospitals. All stores nationwide are closing down. 911 will not take your calls as Martial Law is now in effect. Some scientists are calling the infected zombies. They are acting with the same symptoms while others are still calling them infected. On with other news from around the world.  China is still unreachable. It is believed everyone is dead, dying, or in hiding.
And at the end of the broadcast they say to pray.

Turning the TV down I sit back and cuddle with the puppies. We are really on our own now, we will have to defend what we have or die trying. This is it I think when they start throwing the Z word around you know it’s the end. I get up and walk out to the garage where Nate is still putting things together. I sit down next to him. I look around and notice that someone brought up the couch, chairs and tables and put them around the wood burner. 

“How’s it going?” I ask.

“Almost done, Mom.” He points to several monitors. “This one’s for the front and sides of our place, this one will be for the back. You will be able to see everything from here. I even got a generator in place for when the power goes out. I have the solar hooked up … I just need to figure out what it can power. I don’t think we’ll have it running everything at once though. I mean we do have the natural gas generator and that will run until there’s no more fuel, I guess. But to power the RVs that will fall to the little generators. For now we have electricity and cords can be run to them,” Nate says.

“True I didn’t really think of all that I’m glad you did. Hey just a heads up your sister is pregnant I know it’s really bad timing and before you say anything … 1 -- It’s hardly ever planned. 2 -- She’s scared to death and we really need to be there for her,” I tell him.

“Ok Mom, I so didn’t expect to hear that right now but that’s my sister and I’ll protect her and my little niece or nephew with my life! You should know that,” Nate says.

“I know you will, let’s pray it doesn’t come to that. I’m telling you this so you know what’s going on. And I don’t want her lifting anything really heavy. And I know it’s an added stress. Let your brother know ok. Have you heard anything from your Uncle Pete? Are they ok?”

“I heard from them about 20 min’s ago. They ran into some problems with those things and people are starting to loot the stores but I guess that would be expected,” Nate says.

“Let me know when they are 10 minutes out. We will have to set someone up top and two people out front. Your G-dad is taking time out for a while and Mimi is unpacking, I just thought it would be smart to have their stuff in here and at least in their room so when Uncle Pete and them, get here we won’t be overrun with their stuff as well. Keep on top of it,” I say.

“Good call Mom,” Nate says and starts to hook stuff up.

Sitting down I look at the monitors and see nothing really going on.

“Oh Mom by the way, these will start beeping about a half mile out. So we will know if someone or something is coming our way!” he says.

“That’s really cool Nate!! We still need someone to watch them 24/7 and someone up on the roof too,” I say.

“Yep you’re right Mom,” he says.

I get up and walk to the stairs going under the garage to the storage room. I look around at all the canned goods and drinks. It’s piled from the floor to the ceiling on all four walls. I walk into the last room and it looks the same. I think we will be good for a while but we still should hit a few stores when we can. It’s never too safe to be sorry. Taking one last look I shut the lights off and head upstairs. I know Tabby took inventory and the lists should be in my office. I’ll look them over tonight. Liam should be there as well. I can look them over and see where we’re short on things and start a list of things we’re going to need.

At the top of the stairs I shut the door behind me and lock it. I wave at Nate. He nods and heads back into the house. Looking at the clock I still have time to get some things done. It is taking Pete a bit longer than it should. Well maybe I should go check the basement make sure there’s stuff down there everyone will need. Heading downstairs I pass Nate’s room. On second thought I open his door and flip on the light. Looking around, I’m amazed how neat he keeps things. Heading to the closet I open it and grab the laundry basket. Might as well get these washed up while we still can. I grab Liam’s, mom and Hank’s clothes along with mine. Heading out of the room I hit the switch to turn off the light and close the door. Heading down the hall I open the door to the laundry room and head inside. I throw the laundry in the washer and start the wash.

Looking in the dryer I grab all the towels in there and put them in a laundry basket. Turning around with the basket in hand I head out of the laundry room. Shutting the door I head over and set the basket on the chair in the rec room. Looking around it’s all neat and tidy. Heading to Tabby’s room I open the door on the left. Well I really should not be surprised at the mess and still boxes all around. I grab the dirty clothes and walk out and toss them in the hallway.

Opening the door across the hall I walk into the spare room. I see that the bed is made and everything is dusted. It’s ready for my sister and Pete. Heading out I grab the clothes on the floor and check the bathroom next. Opening the linen closet I see tons of towels and bed linen, soap, shampoo, all the stuff for a bathroom. Bending down I check under the sinks and see all the stuff under there -- medicines, TP, the works. There’s nothing really to do in here so I grab the clothes and head to the laundry room, toss them on the floor and after that I head back upstairs.

Once upstairs I walk through the kitchen and dining room heading to my bedroom. I slowly open the door and notice that Hank isn’t in bed. I see that my patio door is open so I head to the door and go out. Hank is sitting in the chair by the fountain with the Bible in his lap. He’s reading. I go to leave and he looks up and motions for me to sit. I walk over to sit on the swing. He puts the Bible down and looks up.

“Hank how long have you been up?” I ask.

“About 20 minutes is all. Just thought I’d get some reading in, hope you don’t mind me using your Bible, mine’s still packed,” he says.

“No Hank, that’s fine you can use whatever you need to,” I say. “Pete’s about 45 minutes out. Nate has a sort of command center set up and Mom, Tabby, John and Liam are bringing the rest of the gear in for you guys. RVs are set up and power to them. They are done!”

“You’ve been very busy while I napped,” he says. “So what can I do to help out?”

“Well,” I say looking at him, “You said there has to be a chain of command here. And I know that I’m in charge but I was thinking that maybe you could be second?” I look at the ground nervous at what he will say.

“Egypt I would be honored to be second in charge. I’ll do whatever I can to help. I guess I’d better get to recon and knowing where everything is,” he says.

I pull a second set of keys out my pocket. And toss them to him. He catches them and looks through them one at a time.

“They’re all marked as to what they open Hank. If you like I can walk you through everything before everyone gets here and then it’s total chaos!” I say looking at him. “Oh and just so you know your room is across from mine and is set up the same way.”

“Thank you Egypt and yes how about that tour of the place, so I know what’s going on,” he says. “Oh and by the way, this is really nice out here, peaceful.” He looks around.

“Thank you, Hank I come out here to relax and read all the time,” I say. Getting up we head into my bedroom and out the door into the hall way. As we walk down the hall I hear laughing coming from mom’s room. At least with all that’s going on they can still have laughter and a good time. And so we should, I think!!