Deadrise 2: Deadwar (16 page)

The terms of the deal were simple: In exchange for spare parts for the Tincan, (
God what a ridiculous term)
Rainbow Lake would
provide tactical satellite surveillance, which the AFB had somehow lost, and the families of the HAFB military commanders would be allowed to relocate to Rainbow Lake. Once again Patty had fumed at the inherent unfairness of it. Why should the Military leaders and their families get to escape while the other, less privileged should have to stay and most likely be devoured by a zombie? When she asked Jenkins, he simply stated that it was part of the bargain.

His abuse of power was immoral! They were a community dammit! Four hundred and fifty men, women and children who ALL had a stake in the future of this community. Not just that arrogant, power mad, Nazi bastard! And what about Matt, Susan and David? They all claimed they believed in the Council, but they always backed any decision Jenkins made, rarely voicing any criticism. They were practically puppets for him to control.

Patty pushed herself away from the desk. “Enough for awhile.” She said aloud, her throbbing head making her wish she hadn’t. She glanced at the clock. It was almost 1:00 PM. She was hungry. She hadn’t eaten anything at all today, and as she focused on her hunger the smell of the kitchen suddenly wafted to her nostrils. How she hadn’t smelled it all day was beyond her, Was she that focused on her work, on her anger and frustration with Jenkins and her DT’s that she couldn’t smell Sharon Young’s wonderful home cooking drifting down the hall all morning?

Sharon was in the kitchen when Patty entered from the central foyer, hovering over a large kettle, her long, dishwater blond hair tied back in a ponytail and a blue apron tied about her waist. When Patty had arrived at the Main House earlier in the summer, Sharon had already settled into the role of den mother. She oversaw the cooking, cleaning and other housekeeping duties of the Main House and its occupants. As the community grew, and the needs of the Main House expanded, Patty feared Sharon hadn’t recovered enough from her husband’s death to take on the responsibility. She couldn’t have been more wrong. Sharon was almost inexhaustible in her role as homemaker, and she ran a tight ship, as both her children, and the three teenage girls assigned to her as helpers could attest. The Main House was a crisp, clean, well-oiled machine; there was a place for everything and everything had its place. While the Council oversaw the day-to-day operations of the entire community, Sharon was a General unto herself inside the walls of the Main House. It was her domain, and everyone, even Mr. High and Mighty General Asshole himself, respected her authority.

“Hi Patty.” Sharon said with a smile. She served three meals a day to any in the community that showed, and was on a motherly, first name basis with everyone, regardless of their age. Patty returned the greeting.

Captain Turner sat at the kitchen bar, slowly eating a bowl of chili and a chunk of home made bread. Other than that, the kitchen was empty, not even Sharon’s helpers were visible.

“Light crowd today?” Patty asked as she took a seat at the bar next to the Major.

“I had a large breakfast crowd.” Sharon replied, setting a bowl of chili and two slices of bread in front of Patty before turning back to her duties.

“Good afternoon, Captain.” Patty nodded to him, making polite conversation.

“Yes it is.” Turner replied, equally polite. There was an uncomfortable silence between them before both turned back to their meals without another word, which was probably for the best. Captain Turner was the third highest-ranking member of the Militia, right hand man and confidant of the General. Just another military asshole enforcing his will from the point of a gun.

“Is everything alright Hon?” Sharon asked when she turned back to the bar. Patty was about to ask her what she meant, but then realized that her hands were balled into tight fists and her jaw clenched, her face was no doubt set into a sneering frown, betraying her inner turmoil.

“I’m fine.” Patty willed herself to relax and failed miserably. Patty felt her emotions slipping away from her, knowing that if she said another word, she would crack. Sensing her anguish, Sharon quickly turned to Captain Turner, who was still eating his chili, doing his best to pretend to mind his own business.

“Clint dear, Patty and I have some things to discuss…” She dismissed him without asking him to leave.

“I’ve got to get back on duty. New recruits.” he stood and leaned across the bar, where Sharon met him halfway with a quick peck on the lips.

“I’ll see you tonight.” Sharon said. It was not a question. She and the Captain exchanged an intimate smile before he exited the room. Patty just regarded her with open surprise.

“You and Captain Turner?” Patty’s depression and frustration was momentarily forgotten.

“A couple weeks now.” A shocked look came across Patty face. Not because of the news, but because it had been happening here in the Main House, right under her nose for two weeks and she hadn’t a clue about it. Her head had been in the clouds.

“I know what your going to say; my husband was killed just a couple of months ago. But Clint and I bonded when he first arrived…his wife had been killed by those things… I resisted the attraction, feeling as if I were somehow betraying my husband. It was Susan that finally convinced me.” Sharon paused and smiled.

“What did she say?” Patty asked.

“Exactly what I needed to hear. My husband died so that we could get here. Getting lost within my pain and depression would be a dishonor to his sacrifice. But I couldn’t continue alone. My husband had been such a part of my life… I couldn’t live with that empty void… I was un-whole. Clint has filled that void. We have filled it for one another.” Sharon smiled, happy and content.

Patty suddenly burst into tears, burying her face in the crook of her arm her frustration simply too much to contain any longer. She had been a strong, independent woman for the past twenty years, taking great pride in that fact, yet here she was, falling to pieces when she most needed that strength and independence while Sharon, a woman who had been a housewife and homemaker for just as long, completely content, just two months after her husbands death. It made her cry even harder.

“Here, drink this.” Sharon pushed a coffee mug into her hands, and the scent of whiskey caught her nostrils. “I can’t…“ Patty said, raising her head and wiping tears from her eyes. “I’m an alcoholic.”

“So am I.” Sharon said with a smile before gulping down her own shot. Without another word Patty grabbed the coffee cup and poured the whiskey down her throat, its cool burn doing wonders for her frazzled nerves. “Have another.” Sharon said, holding a bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand, pouring them both another shot. By the time the heat from the second drink had cooled in her belly, Patty’s emotions were under control.

“I’m sorry.” Patty said.

“No need for an apology…Sooner or later, we all breakdown. It’s easier if you have someone…” Sharon gave Patty a look that only a woman could understand.

“I have responsibilities. I don’t have time for a relationship.” Patty countered defensively.

“What about your responsibility to yourself?” Sharon asked, her voice warm yet firm.

“Sacrifices need to be made.” Patty said weakly.

“Bullshit.” Sharon said. It was the first time Patty had ever heard her use profanity. “The people here look to you for leadership and guidance. How do you expect to help them when you can’t even help yourself?”

“What are you talking about?” Patty bluffed.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Sharon said sharply. “I see the way you look at Jenkins.” Patty wanted to respond, but her fire withered under Sharon’s gaze. “It’s ok to need someone Patty.”

“But
him
? I can’t stand that bastard!” Patty sneered.

“Jenkins is a good man. He has put his life on the line, on numerous occasions, for the safety and betterment of this entire community.”

“But his methods are immoral. The coup at Mountain View, the “Draft” of our new arrivals, The-”

“Get off your self-righteous high horse.” Sharon interrupted her, her own anger rising. “Do you understand what has happened in the world?”

“Of course I do.” Patty snapped back. “But that doesn’t give him the right-”

“It most certainly does.” Sharon interrupted her again. “He and the Militia are our source of protection. Each and every one of them put their lives in danger every day, so we can live here in safety.”

“I understand that but-”

“Do you? Because that’s not how it is being perceived.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Patty, you
do
realize that you publicly oppose the General and the Militia in almost every endeavor they undertake?”

“Like I said his methods are immoral and violate basic human rights-”

“Listen to yourself!” Sharon cut her off again with a laugh. Patty was getting irritated with Sharon constantly interrupting her. “This is not a political protest. This is the survival of the human race. The dead walk and eat live human beings! We are in a war with alien invaders. Jenkins is doing everything in his power to fight and win that war, for the human race. Perhaps you haven’t noticed but the people of this community idolize the General and his Militia. They are heroes and protectors of Rainbow Lake.”

“And I’m the stick in the mud always causing waves.” Patty said with a heavy sigh, finally understanding.

“The old world is over Patty. The time of political rallys and protests and marches is over. It’s time to do what needs to be done so that the Human race will survive.”

“The people of this community must hate me.” Patty felt like crying again. She looked at the bottle of whiskey on the counter, resisting the urge to pour herself another shot.

“Oh it’s not that bad, at least not yet. They know you’re a leader. That’s why they elected you.”

“What about the Militia?”

“That’s a different story.”

“They hate me?” Patty was hurt. Despite what anyone thought, she too had only been doing what she thought best for the people of the community.

“Hate’s a strong word…they refer to you as “The Ice Queen”.

“The Ice Queen?” Patty didn’t know whether to laugh or frown.

“What can you expect? You really have no idea just
how
offensive how you have been coming across to everyone lately, do you?” Sharon gazed at her in mild wonder.

“I guess I have been somewhat of a bitch. But I have my reasons. Jenkins acts as if the Council is a sham, and he treats me with nothing but contempt.”

“That’s because you don’t know your place.”

“Know my place?” Patty was stunned by Sharon’s words.

“Exactly. The Council has only as much power as he allows you. Perhaps you should try working
with
him instead of against him. Despite his methods, he really does have the best interests of the entire community in mind. And he could use a good, strong, smart woman to help temper his hand, and guide his decisions…” Sharon was giving her that woman’s knowing look again. “It’s the way God intended for us to be. Alone, we drift like a boat without an oar, lost souls, two halves of the same whole. But a man and a woman together, bound by love and family? There is nothing they can’t accomplish.” Sharon’s last sentence caused every fierce, independent, feminist impulse in Patty’s mind to flare momentarily, before finally dissolving into nothing, washed away with the remnants of the old world. Sharon was right. For all those long, lonely years Patty had denied that basic, elemental truth. Man and woman were separate halves of the same whole. Fresh tears came into Patty’s eyes, but this time her sadness was mixed with joy. She felt as if some great, infected boil had been lanced inside her, and she was overwhelmed with a rush of happiness.

“You see?” Sharon patted her hand, smiling at her. “You feel better already.”

“But he despises me.” Patty said, wiping her eyes.

“You’ll be surprised. I know Jenkins as well as anyone. I’m proud to call him family. A brother if you will. And I see the way he looks at you. You would accomplish far more, your way, by sharing his bed." Patty looked at her, surprised, but Sharon continued. "Men are so simple, Patty. Feed them, fuck them and stroke their ego and they will do anything you want them to do." They looked at one another for a long moment before they both burst into laughter. "But you better be quick about it. He is the most powerful man in the community, and others have noticed.”

“Has he taken a lover?” Patty asked.

“Not so far as I know. But he is a man. And men do have needs.”

“So do women.” Patty said softly.

“Exactly... Well, I better start getting things prepared for dinner.” Sharon said with a smile, and gave Patty’s hand a final pat before turning away from the bar into the heart of the kitchen.

Patty’s mind was made up. She would confront Jenkins, and throwing caution to the wind, bare her feelings to him. After her divorce she had sworn to herself that she would never let another man capture her heart, but now, after the fall of civilization, she felt it was the only thing that could save her soul…

She found him in his office, poring over the latest intelligence reports.

“General, I’d like to have a word with you.” she said nervously.

“Of course.” he replied, closing the manila folder in front of him and turned his steel grey eyes on her. His mustache needed trimming, and his eyes looked bloodshot and tired. She stepped into the room and closed the door.

“Privately.” she said, glancing at the security camera.