Zompoc Survivor: Inferno (18 page)

“Surviving,” I said. “We were headed for St Louis, but we ran into some trouble, so we thought we’d just crash-land here and wander around for a few days until we could find a way out of town. I’d ask about you, but this is Forgotten See, isn’t it?”

“You two know each other?” Hernandez said.

“You could say that,” Willie said. “We used to beat the crap out of each other a couple of times a year. But, as good as it is to see you, this isn’t really the place for a reunion. Is this your whole group?”

“No, we have a few more,” I told him. “About a dozen.” He frowned at that, then he stepped up close to me.

“Do you trust them?” he asked softly.

“Some of them. We rescued a bunch from this religious nut holed up at the Crowne Plaza.”

“That was you? Do you mind if I come meet them?” he asked. I nodded.

“You know you’re always welcome at my fire,” I said. He nodded and stepped back.

“Kent, can you take the rest of the squad back?” he said to the group of men, and now that I could see them more closely, women with him. “Tell Jerry I’m visiting another group of survivors and that I’ll be back later this afternoon.”

“You gonna have company?” a tall, dark skinned man asked, presumably Kent.

“I’m not sure, but I hope so.”

“I’ll get the welcome wagon ready,” he said. He turned to me and gestured for me to lead the way. Hernandez pulled me aside.

“How do you know you can trust this guy?” she asked.

“Same way you know you can trust another Marine,” I said as I pointed to the cloth favor that fluttered at Willie’s belt. I’d never liked facing men wearing the crossed axes over the Calon Cross it sported, but I’d always liked having them at my side during field battles. “See that symbol with the crossed axes over the funky fleur-de-lis looking thing he’s wearing on his belt? That’s the symbol of the Iren Hirth, one of the fighting awards in this kingdom. Honor is a big part of earning a place among the huscarls, and he wasn’t one the last time I saw him. It also means he can kick ass.” Her gaze shifted to Willie, then back to me.

“Dude, we’re in the U.S. of A.,” she said. “There’s no kingdoms here.”

“The SCA divides parts of the country into kingdoms. Missouri, Kansas and I think part of Iowa are the kingdom of Calontir.”

“You got a lot of weird shit runnin’ around in your head,” she said before she turned and started to head back.

“You have no idea,” I muttered at her back.

Willie kept up with us with ease as we double-timed it back, but his eyes never stayed in one spot for very long and he didn’t holster the long barreled revolver he’d been holding. Mark kept pace with us out of sure dogged determination, but Chris asked for a break after the first two blocks. When we finally made it to the first ramp, Chris leaned against the concrete pillar and refused to move another step. Hernandez sent Mark on ahead while we waited for Chris. After a few minutes, he straightened and we started up the ramp. Kaplan met us at the base of the next level with his submachine gun slung and Phil at his back. Hernandez went forward and spoke to him quietly for a couple of moments, and I could see his gaze flicking between Willie and me.

“Not very trusting,” Willie said to me as Chris walked past us. “That’s promising.”

“You sound impressed,” I said.

“It means they’re not idiots,” he said with a wry grin. “Stupid people die kinda quick these days, and they’re hard on the people around ‘em, too.” I had to nod at his logic. Chris had proven that already today.

“Can’t say that of everyone here,” I said as Kaplan stepped forward, leaving Phil where he stood.

“I’m Lieutenant Gil Kaplan,” he said. “Welcome to our humble camp.” He held his hand out, and Willie took it in his.

“Jason Robertson,” Willie said. “I may be able to help you out.” Kaplan’s eyes went wide at those words, and he took a step back.

“I’m sorry. You…what?” he stammered. Willie gave him his most charming smile and pulled his coif and padded arming cap off. When I’d known him, he’d worn his red hair to his shoulders. He’d shaved it down to little more than stubble, but his beard hadn’t lost any of its thickness, though it had a few strands of white in it now.

“I’m a member of a group of survivors,” he said. “We overheard what went on over the radio last night, and we’d been hoping to run into you folks. We’re willing to take in people who can contribute.”

“I think that’ll work for some of us,” Kaplan said as he looked over his shoulder at Phil.

“And the rest?” Willie asked.

“We’re on our way somewhere else,” I said.

“Which way are you headed?” he asked.

“West,” I said. He smiled and nodded minutely.

“Lieutenant, we might be able to help you out with that too, but I’m going to have to ask you to trust me.” Kaplan gave him a long look, his mouth tight and his eyes unreadable.

“I’ve learned over the past couple of days that I can trust Stewart’s judgment, so I’m willing to have a little faith. The other civilians, though…it’s up to you.”

“I’ll talk to them, then,” Willie said.

“Wait here, then. Stewart, come with me.” Kaplan turned and started walking up the concrete ramp.  I caught up to him as he finished speaking to Phil, and we headed up to the next level.

“The less he knows, the less he can let slip,” he said when I asked why we weren’t bringing Willie up with us. “It’s bad enough opsec to even bring him here. I’m sure as hell not going to let him see any more than I have to. Especially not the vehicles.” We climbed over the barricade to find everyone staring at us. Beth’s face was creased into a frown that would have curdled milk if we’d had any, and Tate was standing beside her, his own expression just as sour.

“What’s going on?” Beth demanded as we walked up.

“I guess Mr. Tate hasn’t had time to tell you what the scouting party he was with found,” Kaplan said. All eyes turned to Chris, some more suspicious than others as Kaplan smoothly shifted the focus to him. “They met a representative of another survivor group, and they may be able to help us. The gentleman is on the level below us, and he’d like to speak to you.”

“Why do we have to go down to him?” Chris said petulantly. “If they’re so interested in us, he should put the effort to come talk to us, not demand that we go to him.”

“I made that decision, Mr. Tate,” Kaplan said. “I thought it best that he only get to talk to the people who want to listen to his offer. If you think everyone should have to listen to him, we can put it to a vote.”

“I didn’t say that,” Chris muttered, but the glances people were giving him made it apparent to me that most of the others thought he had.

“Well, let’s not keep the man waiting,” Kaplan said. Almost everyone followed him to the barricade, leaving me alone with Ruth and Amy. The two of them were sitting in the Stryker, and I overheard part of their conversation as I approached.

“I’m not sure what the scientific term would be,” Ruth was saying. “We only have three designations for them. Stage one, stage two and Alpha patients. We were studying the stage one and two victims, but the one I’d love to get a tissue sample of is the Alpha Patient. The one that grabbed you last night must have been some variant of the first stage of the infection.”

“Stage one is when they’re still alive, right?” Amy asked. When Ruth nodded, she went on. “The one that grabbed me felt like he was on fire inside. I shot him like nine or ten times and he should have just dropped, but it was like he kept going until I shot him in the head that last time.”

“I’d love to be able to take a look at his adrenal gland,” Ruth said. “If I had to advance a theory, I’d say his blood was saturated with adrenaline, which would explain the extreme strength and speed, as well as the increased resilience. Given the way it was moving and the heat it seemed to put off, I’d call it a Burner. If I were inclined to nicknames for them. The security staff called the ones that could control the other zombies Screamers, and the cancer victims with all the tumors they called Trolls.”

“I just called them ugly,” I said as I stepped into the troop compartment. They both looked my way. “Aren’t you going to go see what our new friend has to say?” I asked.

Ruth shook her head. “No, after last night, I’m going where you’re going.”

“You do realize that safety and me are pretty much not talking to each other right now, right?”

“Yes, I know, and I’m not on speaking terms with security, either. But logically, your group is the better option. We were the Prophet’s guests for two days, but the four of you managed to escape in a matter of hours. I’m safer in the company of your teenage daughter than any of the other so called adults I was with. So, yes, I’ve already weighed the dangers against the benefits, and I’m still better off with you four.”

I looked to Amy and tilted my head as I gestured to her and said “Well?”

“I’m good with it. She’s cool.” I turned back to Ruth.

“You’re taking your life in your own hands,” I said. “Better get packed. We’re hoofing it from here.”

Chapter
9

Before the Gates

~It was the closest to purgatory that I’ve ever experienced while I’ve been living ~ Dave Thomas

“Everyone goes through this,” Willie said, showing more patience than I would have. “It’s a requirement to come with us. You’re free to go, but if you want to step foot inside Heartland, you put the blindfold on.” Beth stood there looking at him with her hands on her hips and her head tilted back.

“You have no right to make me humiliate myself just to get your help,” she said. “People like you are what’s wrong with the world right now. You should be helping us because it’s the right thing to do. I have valuable skills that you’re going to lose if you try to make me wear that.” As she lectured him, I walked up and held out my hand for the thick band of cloth.

“Fine, go,” I said when he handed it to me. “I’m sure the Prophet will be more than happy to welcome you back with open arms. He had a nice executive package waiting for you, right?”

“Screw you,” she said as she snatched the next one he held up.

“You’re welcome,” I said. “Amy comes with me.,” I told Willie. He nodded and gestured for her to step forward.

“I can see why you’re not so thrilled about all your new friends,” he told me as he fastened the blindfold over my eyes. “You never mentioned having a kid.”

“It’s…complicated.,” I said. “She’s my girlfriend’s daughter.”

“Whatever,” he said with a laugh. “Miriam and I have a little girl of our own now. You’ll get to meet her soon.” Amy’s hand found mine a few moments later, and we started off. One of Willie’s squad members took me by the arm and started leading me forward. At first we made a big circle, and when I was really confused about which direction we were facing, they led us forward in a more or less straight line. Based on the sounds, though, I figured we were heading east, back the way we’d come. Then the sounds changed, and I found myself in a cool, damp place with lots of echoes. The ground went from hard concrete to loose rocks and gravel under my boots, then to dirt.

“Are we under ground?” I asked.

“Yeah, it’s an old tunnel that runs under the street,” Willie said. We kept going for a long time, trudging through dirt and occasionally mud until we eventually came out into what felt like open air. I could feel wind on my face, and oddly enough, sun. I hadn’t realized how long it had been since I’d actually seen or felt sunlight. We were led through several turns for what felt like an hour. Finally, I heard the jingling of metal against metal, and the blindfold came away from my eyes. We stood in a fenced in enclosure with a metal structure that only had two walls and a roof. Blankets and cases of water were stacked in the shade of one wall. The six foot chain link fence was reinforced with at least three layers of fencing. I turned to Willie.

“This looks like a quarantine area,” I said. He nodded.

“Pretty much. Zombie bites aren’t the only infection out there.”

“Quarantine?” Beth screeched. “
Quarantine
? I am
not
going to put up with this. I demand to speak to whoever’s in charge here.”

“Sure, you can talk to them in the morning. After you spend the mandatory twelve hours right here. In quarantine. No one skips that.”

“I’ll have you know I’m an executive vice-president for a Fortune Five Hundred company. I’m not some common laborer or thug like your friend here. I don’t have to put up with this kind of treatment.” Amy shook her head and came to my side as Willie stepped forward. An easy six foot three, he towered over Beth without even trying, though he kept enough distance to keep from being deliberately intimidating.

“You’re right about one thing. You don’t have to put up with this. We’ll take you back to where we found you and leave you there.” He smiled and held out the blindfold. Beth backed away fuming.

“You’ll regret this,” she said. “I’ll make sure you never treat me like this again.” She turned and stormed to the shelter. Willie watched her go for a moment before he turned to us.

“Next group should be here in half an hour or so,” he said. “I hate to do this, but I need to ask you to disarm.”

“Can I keep my knife at least?” I asked as I handed him the M4 and undid my vest. He shook his head. I unbuckled the tactical holster from my left leg and undid the belt with my knives and holster. Finally, feeling like a testosterone-dripping hero from an 80’s action flick, I unslung the Deuce and handed it over. I felt naked. Lighter, too, but mostly naked. The autumn air was cool against my skin, my t-shirt damp with sweat. Willie handed my gear off to one of his squad before he turned to Amy.

“You, too,” he said. She handed him her Ruger, then repeated the process of pulling off her vest and holster to hand over to him. “Damn you’re as bad as he is,” he laughed as he looked over the two pistols and the knife she carried on her vest.

“What can I say? I know how to accessorize,” Amy said. “I get it from my mom.”

“Go grab a blanket before you end up with hypothermia or something stupid like that,” he laughed before he turned and headed for the building that made up on side of the compound. “Someone will be here all the time, and you’ll get your stuff back whether you stay or not.” The door opened and he disappeared inside. Amy and I headed for the pile of blankets. Most of them were your average department store quilts, and Beth had already sorted through them to grab a very thick looking one.

“Figures she’d grab the best one for herself,” Amy grumbled. I squatted down and started looking through the pile.

“She grabbed the heaviest looking one,” I said while I pulled a pair of wool blankets from the assortment. “She didn’t necessarily grab the best one.” I tossed her the thicker olive drab blanket and held on to the navy blue one. “Wool will keep you warm even when it gets wet.”

“And the lanolin in it helps repel water,” Amy said. “It’s a textile. Mom told me about it when she made those cool hand warmers a couple of years ago.” I nodded to concede the obvious. It only made sense that Maya had taught her about something to do with anything fiber or cloth. We headed for the corner made by the two walls of the half shed. In the daylight, I could see that some of the soft edges of Amy’s features had been chiseled down to leaner lines, leaving a much more mature looking young woman in the place of the girl we’d picked up four days ago. I looked down at myself. The bulge that had started to creep around my middle was mostly gone, and I could see a little more definition in my arms. Minus three days’ worth of sweat, grime, and blood that covered me, I was starting to look a little like I had while I was in Iraq. It was amazing how fit five days of alternately running from and killing zombies had made me. With nothing but hours of waiting ahead of me, I found myself reverting to old habits. I had free time and very little to do, so I laid my blanket down and racked out.

I awoke to raised voices and flickering light. Slowly, I sat up, once again feeling the ache from the mass of bruises across my chest and back. Amy turned to me when I groaned.

“Beth’s at it again,” she said. “Now she’s demanding food, because water just isn’t enough. And she wants to know why there’s a quarantine in the first place, it’s not like we’re from some foreign country, blah, blah, blah.” Her impression of Beth’s voice made me laugh for a moment, but the pain that caused killed the humor. Another groan escaped me as I got to my feet and made my way to the edge of the shelter. Four kerosene lanterns were placed at the corners, giving us enough light to see by, but not making us a beacon for the undead. Beth seemed determined to remedy that all by herself as she stood facing the building on the far side of the enclosure. A couple of figures were barely visible on the roof. As I watched, they moved toward each other, and I headed for Beth.

“You can’t starve us like this!” she was saying. “This is inhumane and cruel. If I get my hands on you, I’m going to rip your throat out for treating me like this.” Ruth was beside her, looking concerned and a little indecisive. As soon as I came close, she left Beth’s side and came to me.

“Mr. Stewart, thank God you’re here. Beth’s getting worse. She tried to hit Corporal Hernandez a few minutes ago, and the lieutenant is having to keep her from doing serious damage to Miss Simmons. I have an idea, but I need your help.” I looked to Beth, who had started pacing and muttering to herself.

“At this point I’m with Hernandez,” I said.

“No, we don’t want her to become any more aggressive. Please, follow my lead in this. More than one life depends on this.” My jaw clenched, but I nodded. I didn’t understand why this was so important, but Ruth knew what she was doing. I just hated coming into things blind.

“Mr….er, Willie,” Ruth called out. One of the figures on the roof approached the edge. “Miss Simmons is hypoglycemic. She needs food, or she’ll slip into a state of shock and could die if her condition is left untreated.” She turned to me, her eyes pleading. Reluctantly, I stepped up beside her.

“She’s right, Willie,” I said with an exasperated sigh. “I’ve seen her get like this before. A little food gets her back on an even keel and calms her down.”

“It doesn’t take much, just a snack and maybe some pop,” Ruth added. “We brought some with us, in the blue plastic case.”

“You should have told us about a medical condition earlier,” he said, his voice reflecting real concern. “We’ll get it for you. Wait by the window.” Moments later, a bag of corn chips and a can of Pepsi were being handed through the open window to Ruth. She handed it to Beth, and she tore the bag open and started shoving the chips into her mouth frantically. She upended the bag to get the last crumbs from it and clawed the can open, then chugged it in seconds. For a few moments, she just stood there, her eyes closed, her breath coming in long, slow inhalations. She looked almost pleasant. Then her eyes opened again, and the hard look from moments before settled onto her features again.

“More,” she panted. “I’m still hungry. Give me more!” Her voice rose to a shout on the last word.

“Oh, no,” Ruth whispered from beside me. “Dear God, what have I done?”

“What are you talking about?” I demanded.

“I thought the food would calm her down like it did last night. But it’s made her worse.” She turned to me with wide, glistening eyes that were brimming with unshed tears. “I just killed us all.”

“You!” Beth screamed. I turned to see her stalking toward me. “You did this! You’re the one who fucked it all up!” She covered the last few steps at a run and launched herself at me. Things seemed to slow down to stop frames, and I got my hands up to catch her, then pushed her to one side with a twisting motion of my body. The impact still knocked me to the ground, but at least Beth didn’t land on top of me. I came to my feet as she rolled to stop a few feet away. There was nothing graceful or even human about the way she sprang to her feet in an explosion of movement, and her body seemed to jerk wildly as she sprinted at me. This time, I didn’t try to deflect her. I braced my feet and waited for her to come to me, and thrust my hands out at the last second to catch her in the chest with a vicious straight armed blow. The shock felt like I’d run at a brick wall, but it also knocked her back a few steps.

That bought me only a split second’s reprieve before she launched herself at me again. I caught her again, this time having to give her a step as I held her at arm’s length. She reached for me, not even bothering to claw at my arms. Her fingers groped at my face instead, her lips peeled back to reveal teeth. I resisted the urge to bite her hands as one part of my brain processed a hundred different ways to hurt her and another, more civilized part tried to tell me not to do any of them. It took me a split second to realize that the barbaric voice in my head didn’t see her as human any more, and that sent my civilized aspect fleeing in terror at what that meant.

Beth was infected.

Thought became action before I’d even finished telling myself what to do. I grabbed her left wrist with my right hand and twisted outside of her grip, using my forearm against hers to leverage her away from me so I could grab her with my other hand and continue the movement into a spin. Centrifugal force pushed her even farther away, and all she could do was try to keep her feet. I took her through a complete revolution before I hopped to my left and slammed her against the building at a full run. Flesh hit brick with a meaty smack that rattled the window and door in their frames. She bounced off the wall and staggered for a couple of steps before she fell.

“Run!” I yelled at Ruth as I moved to put myself between Beth and the rest of the group in the enclosure with me. “Willie, give me a knife, anything!”

“What’s wrong with her?” he asked from the roof.

“She’s infected!” I yelled as she got to her feet, this time much slower. When she regained her feet, she raised her head to look at me, and I could see the black veins on the lit side of her neck and face. When her head was up far enough, I could see the black lines creep across the white of one eye. Blood ran in dark streams from her nose and mouth as she tilted her head from side to side and studied me.

When she moved, it was almost too fast for me to register, and I found myself on my back. Hot lines of pain laced down my back as I struggled to keep my hands between us and keep her jagged, broken teeth away from my neck. I had leverage on my side, and I finally got a good grip on her shoulders and pushed up. The move bought me all of a heartbeat worth of respite. The thing that used to be Beth grabbed my shoulders and started to pull herself back toward me. Her hands felt like steel vices on my shoulders, and I felt my arms slowly start to give way. I might have been in a little better shape, but she didn’t seem concerned about whether or not she hurt herself in her attempt to tear my throat out. When she was only a couple of inches away from me, I slammed my forehead into her nose, and she recoiled back. Her grip slipped enough that I could push her to one side and roll to the other. I came to my feet and turned to face her just in time to catch her shoulders as she slammed into me. My back hit the wall, and I ended up with my hands against her chest as she flailed at me. Her hand finally closed on my arm and I cried out as her bruising grip tightened around my biceps.