Chuck said, “Oh I'm sorry we aren’t educated enough for the likes of you, but given today is the first day I have ever seen someone walking around who probably only hours before was sitting in the ground, I guess that kind of opened my mind up to think maybe it is possible for some weird shit like that to happen. Do you have a better explanation for why the dead are up and walking already because we would love to know if we are wasting our time.”
“When you’re dead, do you think you’ll have friends come to your service, I mean civilization as we know it isn’t completely over? I mean someone out there has to like you right? Not counting your mother?”
Chuck dramatically fanned himself looking at the group and said, "Love me. I'm alikable guy, I get along. I know how to get shit done. People think I'm a good guy to have around."
Jude patted him on the shoulder and said, “You probably want to just give this one up. I say if saving her life wasn't enough to make her like you, it might be a lost cause.”
Chuck said, “Oh don't worry, you know how persistent I am, I don't give up on nothing.”
When they made it to the back of the cemetery, the bold letters faded as they were, but still easily read said Evans Chemical made absolutely no one feel any bit better. Jude looked out the back window seeing the dead were already deciding this was the way to come and knew the longer they were here the better the chance was that these things were making up the distance with every step. Jude was looking down at the ground when there was a squishy sound.
Jude said, "Oh shit."
Chuck yelled, “What is it, what is it?”
Jude leaned back in the doorway and said, "The ground is soaked and wet. I know it rained, but I don't think it rained that much. It kind of smells like that shit too, you remember how the rain stank when we were out walking in it?"
Joanne said, “Well that gives me some horrible thoughts. Given the fact that there is a gigantic tanker there and probably holds thousands and thousands of gallons of God knows what.”
Jude said, "Yeah I have nothing that's going to make you feel any better about this. I hate the fact the same stupid ass would have come out here and dumped that shit. They probably just figured it was okay to dump it because the people here were already dead."
Joanne said, "Is it wet enough for me to get a sample?"
Jared said, “I think you can get whatever you need. I don't think it would be a bad idea once we are done here, that maybe we run over to the factory and find out what the hell is going on here.”
Chapter Eleven
Worries
Phelps sat at his office chair he had ran his hands through his hair enough times that it was sticking eight different directions up in the air. Phelps pushed up from the desk and looked out the window at the parking lot below. He was baffled that not one employee had shown up for work yet. He knew the Saturday shift would be sluggish after a busy night of drinking, but at the same time this was completely not normal and the parking lot looked like a ghost town.
The only reason he had been there at this time on a Saturday was because he had been waiting impatiently all night for the two men to come back, and unfortunately it had not happened yet. The entire night he had been thinking he should have gotten somebody else to do the dirty deed. He thought if he had more notice of having to get rid of the waste that he could have found someone better for this, or at least smarter.
He paced back and forth starting to debate that maybe he should run out and try and find them. But unfortunately, he had absolutely no idea where to start looking because he was trying to keep some deniability available for himself.
He looked at the clear bottle on his desk, wishing, but it was still filled to the brim with the beautiful amber color and the sweet scent of whiskey. He'd put some effort into devouring it Friday night and on top of that put extra effort into not passing out on his desk. He went to his backup drawer and grabbed a small emergency flask he kept there and put a healthy shot of whiskey into his coffee cup. He slammed it wincing at the bitterness of the cold coffee but was thankful for the caffeine in it that was helping him to still stay awake.
Phelps already knew the answer but couldn't think of anything else to do to keep himself busy. He knew if the two men had not pulled off the chemical dump there would be a little work for him to worry about. If they got caught, word would get out about the chemical dump and the government would be coming to the factory before he could try and cover up anything else. There would be inspectors and investigations he didn’t even want to begin to worry about.
Phelps spun the dial so he could connect downstairs to the security guard. Phelps said, “Hey Steven have you heard back from those two men tonight? Did you have any traffic on the CB radio?”
Steven said, “Nope there wasn't anyone all night talking on one of the truck radios. I’ve been listening all night and never heard another thing from them. I don't have any idea where they are, or why it is taking them so damn long to get done. I should have been gone hours ago.”
Phelps cut him off and said, “If you want to keep that giant raise I gave you or better yet call it a bonus, then I do suggest maybe you don't go home until the job is actually done. I might need to send your ass out looking for those two dumb shits if we don't get any answer or sign this thing went as planned. If the government comes and we're sitting there pulling back in a giant tanker shit is gonna go bad and it could go bad quick. I'd much rather go stash that truck somewhere, who knows if there is anyone out there already watching.”
Steven said, “Yeah I can stay here that's fine. Sorry about that. You know I was just kidding right? What do you want me to do if somebody tries to come through the gates?”
Phelps said, "If they come here don't let them in, they got shit for a reason to be here."
"And if they don't take no for an answer?" Steven said.
Phelps said, “You know that thing on your hip, use it. I'll give you the best attorney in the damn state if it means we can get any time for us that we need. But you need to be playing ball with me or I'll leave your ass on your own. Do we have a clear understanding of the circumstances at hand Steven?”
Steven said, “I totally get it. Don't worry about it I'm going to take care of things and just like you said, if anybody tries to come through that gate I'll get all six shots in the son of a bitch. What do you want me to do if there's more than six people?”
The fact that he had to ask made him nervous as hell. Sean snapped back screaming, “You reload! You reload you stupid shit. That's why I give you more than six bullets do you have any other questions?”
Steven had many more, but he smiled knowing when to be quiet. He said, "No sir boss," and hung up the phone. He checked his belt seeing that he did have three more speed loaders attached to it and started to laugh.
Phelps went back to the window waiting impatiently and could just barely see the van approaching the factory. He hit the intercom screaming, “Close the gates! Close the gates now until you know who it is!”
Steven loved trying to decipher who was coming and if they were an employee but was unable to tell as such a great distance. He ran to the gates pulling them shut and securing the padlock. Once it was secured he ran to his guard tower pulling his pistol and waiting with trembling hands as the van sped toward them.
Chapter Twelve
Hells Gate
Chuck said, "So do you guys actually have a plan for going up and talking to this chemical factory? Do you realize he's probably as crooked as a damn politician right? You really think he's going to admit to starting the goddamn zombie apocalypse single-handedly? Well single-handedly with the help of a few people that probably work for him."
Jude said, “Well since we lost Pete and Roger I think I have a fair right to go ask him questions. If he doesn’t like it, well I don’t give two shits.”
Joanne said, "Given my job and my credentials I have every right to ask that son of a bitch what the hell he thought he was doing dumping that shit out in the cemetery. And after I get done with that, I'm going to use his phone to call the CDC and tell them about the storm he unleashed on everyone. By the time I'm done, you'll never see him make another chemical again."
Leslie said, “It is blatantly obvious this guy is trying to cover something up right? Don't you think we are just going to be one more thing he needs to get rid of in order to keep everything looking on the up and up? I don't think going up there is all that great of an idea.”
Chuck laughed and he said, “Are you kidding me there is almost nothing we've done today that was a good idea. We should be half way back to Iowa, but no we're driving our dumb asses around with two strangers and looking everywhere for chemicals on purpose, that turn people back living who’ve been dead for God knows how long and longer. Like I said, there ain't nothing we've done today that's been a good idea. It's been a bunch of dumb shit things one after another, we're lucky we're still alive. Hell were only fifty-fifty at this point and two men down and we’re still going.”
Joanne said, "Well what do you think we are?"
Chuck spoke honestly, "You're strangers, that's what you are. It's only because of our good nature and lack of good damn common sense that we're even helping you. Like I said we should be back to Iowa where we could at least get the things we need to survive. We're in a land we don't know, we don't have anything going for us and now the damn chainsaws are out of fucking gas!"
Jude cut him off and said, "We're going to stick this out. One day someone might even think we are heroes, man."
Chuck said, “You know what that means right?”
Jude could already see the dream in Chuck’s eyes, he said, “Yes, I have a very good idea what that means. You're going to be too busy trying to get laid the rest your life and probably walking around with a news clipping or a story at every watering hole there is, hoping to impress some lucky girl.”
Chuck said, "It brings a goddamn tear to my eye, Jude, it's such a beautiful thought."
Leslie said, “You're a pig, you know that right?”
Chuck shook his head no and said, "I just got things I like to do and being horizontal well yeah, that just might be one of them. It's not going to be an issue for you since you and I don't have a chance."
Leslie said, "Oh no, you and I most definitely don't have a chance. Actually, you and I don't have a chance in hell. You can be the last man standing who isn't dead, and you still wouldn't have a chance with me. I'm surprised you're not a virgin!"
Chuck said, “Now that just hurts. That just damn right hurts.”
Jude said, “You know as much fun as we are having down here Chuck, the quicker we get done with this the quicker you get to try and be a hero Chuck. Let’s get this shit done and let's get home.”
Chuck just responded by slamming his foot on the gas pedal and rolling Jude to the back end of the van where he, of course, yelled and cursed at Chuck. Chuck being the good friend he was laughed and drove the van like a bat out of hell toward the fence. When they got closer Steven pulled out his pistol holding up a hand for them to stop.
Chuck saw the gun and said, "You know I think he's going to shoot at us."
Joanne said, “We haven't done anything wrong there isn't any reason for him to shoot at us.”
Leslie said, “We might not have done anything wrong. But it sure as hell looks like he's going to shoot us if we don't stop. What do you think we should do?”
Jude said, “Well if it was me pointing that gun at someone I'd just be able to aim better if they stopped.”
That was all that Chuck needed to hear, he hit his pedal as far as he could and sent the van fishtailing. When he got closer he’d already made up his mind to drive straight through the chain link fence. It tore off its hinges and was dragging it along with the guard booth it was connected to behind him. Steven held on for dear life inside praying to God the van was going to stop soon. Forgetting about the fact that he had a good solid quarter mile or better across the property before they would make it to the to the factory.
Jude looked out the back window and saw one hand glued to the side and another in the top of the small guard shack Jude said, “Holy hell I didn't think you would actually do it. Way to go brother. You should see that guard he looks like he probably should have thought twice about aiming at us.”
Chuck who couldn’t see craned his neck to see. When he did both women screamed at him, Leslie said, “Look at the goddamn street would you. Pay attention, we don't want to crash!”
Chuck swerved the van until the fence and the guard shack broke free and skidded to a stop. Steven pushed out of it trying to stand and fell to the ground dizzy from the drive. Chuck yelled pumping a hand in the air.
He said, "How's that for kick ass driving. Yep, that's how you get shit done."
They drove the rest of the way uneventful and headed for the main building. Not having any idea what or who was waiting for them. Phelps was cursing from the office.
He said, “I swear that Steven isn't worth a goddamn thing. I'm going to be firing him if and when we get through all of this.”
Phelps walked over to the coat closet opening up and pulling a double barrel shotgun he had always kept in case of a break in late at night when he was working. He grabbed the box of shotgun shells stuffing them in his pockets. He stumbled down the hall sliding in two shells and snapping it shut thinking he was surely going to hell for what he was about to do.
Phelps took the elevator to the lobby downstairs where he waited for the van to come to a stop. When the strangers pulled up he unlocked the door stumbling out the doors and being sure to keep the shotgun by his side. Jude got out of the van and Phelps saw the axe on his back and it did not make him feel any better nor did the machete hanging on his belt.
Phelps yelled, “I think that's about close enough son. I don't want y'all any closer to me. You got no business here, you got no rights. As I see it you all are trespassing and I don't like trespassers.”
Jude walked slowly hands out to his side. "Hey, we just got a couple of questions we need to ask you."
Phelps smiled and said, "Well, in that case," He pulled up the shotgun firing off one wild shot. Jude leapt to the side, dodging the buckshot. It peppered the van missing Jude and as he swung the gun in his direction he pushed up off the ground and ran straight for Phelps. He lifted the gun drawing straight on Jude this time, but Jude was finally close enough that there were no problems. He gripped the shotgun lifting it up in the air and pushing it to the side.
He gripped Phelps across his skinny frame and tackled him to the ground. Jude was not a fan of being shot at ripped the shotgun away from him and brought the stock of the gun down hard into Phelps' nose, busting it wide open. Blood poured down the side of the man's face and when he screamed in protest Jude brought it down a second time for good measure.
Jude said, "I'm not real keen on people shooting at me. I spent enough time in the military that I sure as hell don't need to have any citizens shooting at me you son of a bitch."
Phelps screamed and said, “What, what do you want? You broke my fucking nose what the hell were you thinking hitting me with that?”
Jude said, "I was thinking I wanted to break your goddamn nose you son of a bitch. All we wanted to do was ask you some questions. You might be the only person in town left that can answer them for us."
Phelps wiped at his nose and said, “You, you aren’t the police? You aren’t here to look through my factory?”
Jude said, “Oh we are definitely here to look at the factory and take some samples, but as far as the jail part that’s going to be up to someone else. As of right now there isn’t a sheriff to put you in jail.”
Phelps said, “I, I don’t understand, what it is that you are talking about. Who the hell are you? Who are they?”
Jude pulled him to his feet and upright. He trained the shotgun at Phelps’ chest and said, “Well I'm down here cutting trees and so is that fella there. That’s Joanne, and she’s probably going to make your life a living hell here in the very near future. That is some girl that was hiding in our van, her name is Leslie.”
Phelps stood holding his nose and trying to figure out what this group of people were doing here questioning him and how they had anything in common. Chuck stepped forward and said, “By chance have you been here the entire night? I mean you haven’t left for anything it seems? You look drunk as shit anyway I'd say you've been loving on a bottle of something for the evening huh?”
Phelps nodded and said, "Jesus you sound like my ex-wives. Yeah, I've been here all night, I've been waiting on something to get taken care of that I couldn't just assume got done."
Jude said, “Let me guess you sent a guy or guys out to a cemetery to dump some chemicals? Oh and when I say some, I'm really saying a shit ton of it? The ground was soaking wet out at the cemetery and the shit didn’t smell very good. There was a gigantic Evans Chemicals truck sitting out there abandoned.”
Phelps said, "Stupid sons of bitches. Oh, I can't stand those two. They are fired, there are gone."
Jude said, "Well just so you know there's a good chance you won't be opening anytime soon. Anyone in town is either dead, or they are gone or hiding. I guess it is hard to say. But when we were walking back into town to get a girl some help, the cars were flying out of here like a bat out of hell. After the rains hit though it isn't going to do them much good regardless of how far they make it. Those things are going to be everywhere."
Phelps tilted his head to the side still trying to make sense of what he was rambling about. He said, "What the hell are you talking about? You speak, but you don't make a damn bit of sense. I mean none I have no clue what you are talking about."
Jude said, "Well when your people went and sprayed all that shit on the cemetery all those that were trying to have eternal slumber in their graves came back to life. I know it sounds bat shit crazy, but I shit you not."
Phelps said, “Oh I see it, you are all crazy. Did you escape from a mental facility recently? Or maybe you hit your heads on something, very hard. Except that guy Chuck he might just believe what you are saying anyway.”
Chuck said, "Hey compadre we could very easily take you to town on our way out and let you get a first-hand look. I mean it seems that you are the reason we are all here so I'm sure you'd like to see what your handiwork did right?"
Phelps said, “Just do what you need to and get out of my factory. Give me my gun back you crazy bastard.”
Jude stepped forward holding the shotgun with two hands and jammed the butt into his gut making Phelps bend over in agony. Jude put a knee up catching the freshly broken nose a second time and he bent down so that Phelps could hear him.
He said, "I lost two of my men and good friends already today. I lost them because of you, and at the moment you seem to be the main person that I can blame this shit on. Now if you don't get your skinny ass up and do what I say we are going to be leaving here and you are going to have a skull of buckshot. Now you can do what we want or you can see what happens. Are you feeling lucky or do you want to be a good boy and just do what I'm saying."
Phelps sat for a moment wishing he had a cigarette or maybe a handgun and finally said, “I don’t like you very much. I hope that you know that.”
He held up a blood-soaked hand for help up and Jude looked at it and said, "I've had enough blood on my hands for one day, get up yourself."
Phelps said, "Oh you are too kind son."
Leslie said, “Are you sure you don’t want to just put that buckshot in the back of his head now? It wouldn’t do any harm to me.”
Phelps laughed hysterically he said, “Oh let me guess, somehow you have something against me as well? What happened? Did you see your grandpappy walking across Main Street?”
It was obvious he didn't believe anyone. Leslie said, "No you bastard, I was going somewhere with my dad and we ran into a horde of the dead. It was all that I could do to even get away. He wasn't so lucky and those things took him down. He is gone now, and it is all your fault you piece of shit. Now if you don't stop laughing I'm going to kick you square in the balls!"
Phelps choked on laughter for a minute and when he didn’t stop as they walked into the factory Leslie did as promised and delivered a square kick to his testicles that sent him to the ground gripping hard.
Chuck said, “Oh now that just isn’t right. He ain’t going to be able to walk right for a week after that Leslie. That was a wonderful kick, thank you for doing that. It’s just rude if I do it. But you have that right as a strong woman.”