900 Miles (Book 2): 900 Minutes (9 page)

Digging my nails into my rifle, I edged toward the two-story drop. My eyes almost immediately landed on the waving arms of a creature plopped down against the far wall across from where I was perched. Ducking down a bit, I first thought the damn thing was pointing toward me, trying to signal that there was a bite-sized snack up on the roof.

Cursing myself for being caught, once again, on a goddamned roof, I squinted to get a better look at the courtyard. Not finding any other creatures below, my eyes fell on a double barrel shotgun lying just feet from the Z. Looking more closely at the creature slumped against the wall, I winced as I realized it very clearly had a hole blown through its stomach.

The pebbles below me cracked in place as I slid slightly closer to the edge of the building. Leaning forward a bit, I could just barely make out that its arms were twisting around its body in a circling motion, moving back and forth from its missing stomach to its head.

Lifting the rifle to my face, I peered down the scope on the weapon to get a little more up-close-and-personal with the thing. Leveling the sight on its head, I watched in horror as I realized what the monster was doing. It was lying there, perfectly content, shoveling chunks of regurgitated flesh into its mouth, only to have them pushed down its throat and out the cavity that used to be its stomach. Then it was reaching down, grabbing the same chunks of meat, and shovel them back into its lifeless jaws again.

Feeling a bit of vomit hit the back of my throat; I slid my index finger toward the trigger. Taking a deep breath, I lifted the barrel slightly to move the crosshairs along the gray flesh left on its forehead. Its hair had all but fallen out, and a dark cavity was all that remained in place of an eye that had long ago been plucked from its mangled face. I found it slightly amazing that I could get sick after everything
I’
d seen. Guess that means I still actually felt something back then.

“
I would
n’
t do that
,”
Kyle whispered, walking up behind me
.“
We do
n’
t want to draw their attention just yet. Besides, yo
u’
re an awful sho
t
…”

Exhaling the deep breath,
I’
d been holding for too long, I blinked my eyes, lowered the rifle, and turned around to see him grinning at me. 

Deciding he was right, but not wanting to acknowledge it, I shifted my shoulders while reaching into a side pocket on my vest. Pulling out my cell phone, I slid the unlock feature on the screen and pulled it to my face to see the time. W
e’
d already been gone for hours. Time was slipping away like specks of sand through an hourglass. Looking past my phone, blankly staring at the white pebbles on the roof, I found myself simply hoping that there would be enough specks for us to get home.

Glancing at my phone, Kyle asked
,“
Why do you carry that thin
g…
waiting for cell service to flip back on
?
”

“
I
t’
s my only clock. I do
n’
t have an old-ass wristwatch like you
.
”

Like so many others before the apocalypse,
I’
d had my face constantly plastered to the thing.
I’
d be more panicked if I left the house without my phone than my wallet. Of course, now it did
n’
t have cell service or Internet access. Yet, there I was, still tethered to the damn thing.

I once read that amputees often experience what they cal
l“
phantom sensation
s”
in their lost appendages. Better put, they continue to feel pain in an arm or leg that has been removed as if it was still there. In the same sense, I could
n’
t help but tap on the email or browser apps from time-to-tim
e…
searching for a sensation of normalcy that had long ago been torn away.

However, I did have a few other valid reasons for carting it around, but I did
n’
t want to bring up the fact that the hard drive also contained the last remaining pictures of my wife. My wife. 

Continuing, I dug my foot into the pebbles and said
,“
Besides, i
t’
s got a compass and a few apps that still work just fine. Do
n’
t know what the hell
I’
d do without Angry Birds
.
”

Nodding toward me, Kyle replied
,“
Gotcha, that makes sens
e
…
”
then with a fake scowl, he asked
,“
Now why would you go pick on my old-ass watch
?
”

“
Do
n’
t know, guess i
t’
s just kinda out of place on you
.
”

He paused for a moment and lifted the watch, still on his wrist, toward the sky
.“
Yeah, I guess it is. I like to think of it as vintage
.”
Lowering his arm, he brushed the scratched faceplate with his thumb and continued
,“
Old thing was actually my grandfathe
r’
s
.
”

Sliding the cell phone back into my vest pocket, I leaned in to look a little closer at the rust growing across the golden casing and worn leather band, cocking my head sideways. Kyle saw I was curious for more.

“
When he gave me this watch, he told me he wore it because it reminded him of where he came from. That proud old man grew up on a farm. Humble beginning for sure. Told me that he saved up forever as a child to buy it
.”
Kyle paused and smiled slightly as if thinking back to a memory or a conversation that had happened long ago.

“
My grandfather eventually broke away from the far
m…
building a small empire. Old bugger was a genius when it came to finances, but I can honestly say he never let it get to his head. He wore this old thing until just about the end. Seeing how his son, my father, turned out, I think he wanted it to be the same reminder to m
e…
that money does
n’
t make you special. Yo
u’
re not suddenly someone different because you have a few extra bucks in the bank
.
”

Thinking of the fact that Kyle probably could have lived the easy life instead of heading off to the Army, I could
n’
t help but admire the guy. I ca
n’
t say I would have done the same thing before the world went to shit. Thinking of Tyler, I could only hope that
I’
d be able to impart the right lessons about what was really important in this new life now. 

A squelch from the radio on my shoulder sounded before I could hear Jarvis. Raising my eyebrows, I waiting in anticipation. It was time to find out if this trip was worth it.

“
John, I wanted to let you know w
e’
ve hit the nurs
e’
s office, and i
t’
s a gold mine. Everything we need is here
.
”

Looking up at the sky, I slowly nodded my head and double checked
.“
They have the right meds
?
”

“
Yes, boys, and plenty of them.
I’
ve got the pack filled up. Meet us up front in two minutes
!
”

Feeling like a boulder had been lifted off my chest, I looked up at Kyle. My face must have radiated relief.

However, his face looked grimmer. Things changed so quickly in this worl
d
…

The hair on the back of my neck spiked as, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a movement at the edge of the building across from the creature playing the human recycling game.

Looking out across the building, Kyle perked up and asked
,“
Do you see that
?
”

Blinking to make sure I saw what I thought I did, I leaned forward to see the giant, rounded torso of a fat ma
n’
s body lying on the ground, shaking violently. Even from the distance, I could see the wiggle of its half-eaten love handles. Its legs were not visible. They were hidden behind the corner of the wall.

“
Was that there before
?”
I asked.

Lifting my rifle and focusing my scope down on the corner of the building, I could see a number of rotting arms reaching from behind the wall and tearing into that Thanksgiving Day feast of a man. The gore from his stomach was spread across the grass-filled playground just to their right, a lost reminder of the youthful bliss that once decorated this school.

“
I did
n’
t see it befor
e
…
”
Kyle said as he quietly ducked.

Following his cue, I sank down the rooftop. It took me a moment before I noticed Kyle's eyebrows had arched down. He was looking all around as if trying to find some piece of evidence to prove his hunch was right.

“
Whoever shot up this place, just did it. Those Zs would have made mincemeat of that guy by now if this happened longer than an hour ago
,”
he finally whispered.

“
Shit
,”
I replied in an equally low voice as I realized what that meant.

In the same instant, a crack of gunfire tore me from the revelation, dropping my heart into my stomach. I already knew who it was. We heard the unmistakable noise from the weapon turret atop the pickup. Mr. Mullet sure as hell would
n’
t be blasting the dead with that thin
g…
which meant we had company.

Chapter 9

For a moment, the deafening cry of the firefight rattled through the air. There were shouts and screams, and then the turret gun went silent, putting an end to the fight which was over as quickly as it had started.

I could already smell the discharged remnants of burnt gunpowder filling the air as Kyle and I darted across the roof toward the side facing the parking lot. Sliding into place at the edge, just out of sight, I watched as a few of the pebbles were pushed over the side. Holding my breath and digging my head into my arms, I found myself waiting for whatever or whoever was below to hear the noise. 

Opening my eyes and slowly letting the deep breath out, I realized that if anybody had heard the rocks clatter across the ground, they had
n’
t thought to look up. Lifting my head, I followed Kyle's gaze down to the parking lot. A group of twenty or so men, all holding large firearms, was surrounding Mr. Mullet and the Three Amigos. Our friends were still alive. However, I felt my teeth grind together as I realized that Mr. Mullet had what appeared to be a bullet wound through the side of his stomach. 

Blood dripped down his leg, pooling up into a sticky mess below his knees which were firmly planted on the pavement. He said something to the guy standing above him. I could
n’
t quite make it out, but I guess the guy did
n’
t wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Mullet. Lifting a black machine-gun above his head, the guy swung it down, slamming the butt of his gun into Mr. Mulle
t’
s chest, causing blood to burst from his mouth as he pulled himself back up in an attempt at defiance.

The Three Amigos, lined up on their knees next to him, started to jump up at the hostile act, but soon settled down as twenty of their new best friends all lifted their weapons in unison and aimed directly at them.

There were a number of vehicles circled around our Hummer and the pickup. These guys had been waiting for us. I found my mind racing to try to figure out why. That is until that son-of-a-bitch stepped out of his very own Escalade SUV.

At first, I could
n’
t believe it, but there he was. Mind spinning, my eyes went wide as I realized it was Gordon Green standing there dressed in a red turtleneck covered by a black military-style jacket. He wore a matching red beret that covered a closely shaven head. He was confident but darker looking than I remembered. My hand was clutched around my rifle, and for just a moment, I had the urge to take a shot.

I wish I ha
d
…

Glancing at Kyle, I could see the anger building in his now red face. He shot me a look and mouthed the word
s“
What the fuc
k”
before we both turned our attention back down to the parking lot.

As Gordon began heading toward our friends, I noticed the cane that accompanied his right hand. Each step came down on the concrete with a subtle click that could be heard even from our perch.

Everybody was quiet as he stepped around Mr. Mullet to face the four men on their knees. He did
n’
t say anything at first, as he simply marched in front of them and stopped, lifting his cane up toward Mr. Mulle
t’
s head.

“
One of these things is not like the other
,”
Gordon shouted out to a roar of laughter from his men
.“
Yo
u’
re not looking so good
,”
he said, making eye contact with Mr. Mullet.

Mr. Mullet pulled in a big honking swig of blood and spit it out toward Gordo
n’
s cane.

“
That was
n’
t such a hot idea, my friend
.”
Gordon said, without alarm, as he wiped the blood covering the end his cane across Mr. Mulle
t’
s shoulder.

He then nodded to a hulk of a man standing behind Mr. Mullet, who stomped forward and threw what looked like a reinforced dog catcher collar, attached to a pole, over Mr. Mulle
t’
s head, locking it in place firmly around his neck.

One of the other Amigos tried to stand up in protest, but took a butt of a gun across his forehead, causing a gash to split open and pour a wash of blood into his eyes. 

I heard the gravel rustling under Kyle, and looked over to see him sliding his gun into his shoulder, pointing it directly toward Gordon.

A shift in the shadows caught my attention down by the front door. I couldn't completely make out Jarvis and Rodgers lurking in the darkness, but I did manage to see the muzzle of the AR-15 rifle that Jarvis carried peeking out just past the door hinge.

The hulk of a man pulled Mr. Mullet, who struggled and fought to no avail, and forcefully pushed him face down in his own pool of blood, directly in front of the Three Amigos. Pausing for a moment, making sure Mr. Mullet was done with the struggle, he then looked up at Gordon for his next command. Gordon held out his hand as if to say, hold on a sec, then took a moment and looked up at the sky.

The sick bastard was enjoying every second.

Taking a deep breath in and then exhaling, he looked over toward the school
.“I’
ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, Jarvis
!”
he screamed out, emphasizin
g“
Jarvi
s”
with what I can only describe as glee
.“
Come on now, I know yo
u’
re in there watching us. Why do
n’
t you come on out?
I’
d like to have a chat with a dear old friend
.
”

Stunned, I noticed my hand shaking only when I heard my wedding ring rattling against the pebbles beneath it.

“
You can tell your two buddies on the roof to come down as well. W
e’
re not going anywhere until they you do. Kyle and John, is
n’
t it
?
”

Dropping my head down and closing my eyes, a new sense of fear finally made it all the way up my spine and entered the back of my skull. I started to hyperventilate before glancing back up at Kyle, only to see him raise his eyebrows while pulling his face into the sight on his gun. For some reason, his confidence had a calming effect on me. Kyle knew death well, and if anybody was going to put an end to this, I knew he would.

“
Oh, I recognize the urge to go ahead and try to take a few shots at us from where yo
u’
re standing. I can promise that would be a mistake. I would
n’
t want anything to happen to your dear friends at Avalon prematurely
.”
Gordon continued with a determined note to his voice.

From the shadows of the front hallway I heard Jarvis call out
,“
What do you want, Gordon? What crooked game have you cooked up this time
?
”

“
I
t’
s a good one, Jarvis, and yo
u’
re one of the key players. Please, come on out. Le
t’
s not waste any more time here. Trust me when I say, there
really
is no choice
.
”

Nobody moved for what seemed like an eternity. Gordon sat patiently, waiting for Jarvis to make a move.

Tha
t’
s when Jarvis emerged from the shadows of the hallway
.“
What are you planning to do, Gordon
?”
he spat with anger
.“
You could have killed us here if you wanted to
.
”

“
Oh, ther
e’
s plenty of time for the details, old friend. Wha
t’
s important is that you have a rare chance to save many lives by giving me back what you took from me
.
”

“
You lost it, Gordon. You turned something that could have been good into another one of your twisted games. You turned the people against you. Only this time, you did
n’
t have the money to bail yourself out
.
”

“
Ahh, but Jarvis. Do
n’
t you see? It was perfect. We had the perfect hierarchy built. The leaders of the world were at the top. The worker bees were in their rightful place, serving us. It would have been a utopia. Do
n’
t you understand that you could have been a king in my world? Instead, you settled for a king in yours. Trust me, old friend, mine would have been better
.
”

In chess, there are kings and pawns. At that moment, I got the feeling that Kyle and I were the pawns on the board. There was some sort of feud between these two that went back much further than our little revolt during the first weeks in Avalon.

Sometimes pawns are sacrificed. Sometimes they are just enough to change the game.

The only thing I knew for sure was that my son depended on this lowly pawn.

Gesturing with his cane toward his captives, Gordon looked over at the front door
.“
Yo
u’
re not keeping very good company these days, Jarvis. Is this what we have to face at Avalon
?”
Sticking his cane under the chin of the Amigo with the gash split in his head, Gordon prodded his face up, forcing him to make eye contact
.“
Do you know what yo
u’
re fighting for, little man? Do you know what yo
u’
re going to die for
?
”

Lifting his head back up toward Jarvis, Gordon laughed out loud with a smugness that made me inadvertently grip my rifle
.“
Good thing we cleared this school of creatures for you. I can promise that it was a real mess in there. You see, Jarvis, I had to make sure w
e’
d get our chance to chat. You should actually be thanking me, old friend
.
”

“
How would you have known we were heading for this school
?”
Jarvis finally challenged.

“
Ohh, Jarvis. Do you really think that I would
n’
t have some friends still lingering amongst your ranks? Well, now, it seems that yo
u’
ve underestimated me a bit. I would have expected more from you. I know everything you do.
Everything
.
”

Another long pause as Gordon lowered the cane and began to rhythmically tap it on the ground. I saw him look out toward his men with a smile, and then back over toward the front door. Finally, his gaze landed on Mr. Mullet
.“
Jarvis, Jarvis, Jarvis. Come on now, I do
n’
t want to have to be more persuasive. I mean, really, you need to be thinking about the fate of your men kneeling here before me
.
”

“
If yo
u’
re gonna kill them, yo
u’
re gonna kill them, Gordon. I do
n’
t believe that me coming out there is going to change one thing
,”
Jarvis yelled out defiantly.

“
Yes, tha
t’
s probably true. You know me better than anybody, I suppose. I do miss our chats.  Why do
n’
t you just come out now? Le
t’
s discuss this face-to-face. No need to hide in the shadows
.
”

“
The end of the world must be getting to you, Gordon. Yo
u’
d have to know w
e’
re not going to just come out and give up
.
”

Gordon was smiling once again, but did
n’
t say a word. I watched him pull the red beret off his head and pat it against his leg. He then slid his forearm across the top of his brow.

What the hell was the bastard waiting for? Where was the big reveal? Of course, he would know that we would
n’
t be willing to give up.

There are seconds in each perso
n’
s life where they know wha
t’
s about to happen before it actually does. Not any sort of a mystical clairvoyance or phony crap like that. I
t’
s really a simple gut instinct. These tiny seconds are never enough time to act, just enough to scare the shit out of you.

Even from the distance, I saw it in Jarvi
s’
s face a moment before I realized it. Gordon was distracting us. He had planned this whole fucking thing, and we were nothing more than bugs caught in this elaborate spider web.