Quarantined in Chaos (Nova Nocte) (3 page)

             
To say the meeting with the community (minus Liam and his Gammy) went smoothly would be a boldfaced lie. Both vampires and I laid out the plan before asking everyone to decide whether to stay or go. Cal reiterated that we may not even get help across the border and any who made it would be glamoured. The entire time, eyes bored through me like lasers. I was surprised most by Sunny.

             
“Okay, so we go north and maybe get aid from some vampires and glamoured. Or they arrive and kill us all. Or we get no help and have to find our own way out of quarantine and hope they don’t hunt us down for knowing about Cal and Daemon. Is that right?”

             
She had the Mom Glare and her hands on her hips.

             
Dangerous pregnant lady.

             
“Um, yeah. If you choose to leave, that’s what we face.” I tried to discreetly loosen my top jacket button. To my left, Daemon was squirming like a 5-year-old in his first suit.

             
Sunny looked at her husband and shrugged.

             
“We’re in. So who stays here to run things?”

             
There was an audible sigh and chatter broke out. People began debating the pros and cons; most chose to stay and make a life.

             
Can’t blame them. Whole lot of what ifs and maybes in our plan. Not to mention the dangers and the extra feedings.

             
Troy frowned and spat on the ground. Daemon waved at the kids. Ellen waved back while her mom ran her fingers through the girl’s long hair. Randolph seemed to be arguing with Michael, Bobbi for a moment following the conversation with her head.

             
The murmur leveled off and faces fell back on me for answers.

             
“I think Troy, Bubba, and Vincent can run things her pretty well with Edith. They’ve all expressed a desire to remain and build a new life. They know the risks and have the skills to handle whatever comes up.”

             
“Yeah, that’s right.” The crossbow came off Troy’s shoulder and was strung across his back. “The four of us will manage just fine with whoever wants to stay. We don’t need to run towards some silly dream and near-certain death to get away from this life. Join them on their fool’s errand or stay with us and we’ll get by. The paper is being passed around; either way we all get our memories changed when the group splits.”

             
He stormed away from the meeting alone. The inky blanket of night claimed him as he returned to his home up the hill. An hour later, the list was complete. None of the children would be going; they would stay and be safe and play. Jordy surprised me by announcing he wanted to stay where he could be his own parent instead of going into some foster home. Ellen’s Mother volunteered to watch over him; he wisely agreed.

             
In the end, those leaving would include: Daemon, Caelinus, Sunny, Chase, Marley Guy, Vincent, Bubba, I, and four others. Both Vincent and Bubba opted to take on the adventure, while the Nurse chose to stay in their place. Of course, the kids unanimously agreed Sindbad the dog would have to stay too. Our lines drawn, preparations began in earnest.

             
I kneel in the darkness, shifting the ashes of our encampment. The vampire watches me intently as I pull destroyed knives and cookware from the rubble, the remnants of our former life. He probably came with me as much to keep Daemon and I apart as to aid me in my recon. The groans of the risen Dead amplified; my burnt journal sits in the skeleton of my cabin.

             
“Are you ready, Squirrel? It would seem we will not be alone much longer.”

             
I leaf through the pages and find some of the writing intact. The shuffling of a zombie grows nearer. Cal prods some of the ruins, kicking dirt and bullet casings with a frown. Placing the journal in my bag, I stand and rub my cracking hands together.

             
“Yeah, I think I’ve got enough info to make the decision.”

             
It was barely a whisper, but I know the Undead Roman can hear me. He nods and moves towards me as the fleshie stumbles into view. Florida weather has not been kind to it. We watch the lone corpse as it lumbers on a broken leg and opens its sagging jaw; three broken teeth inhabit the rotting cavity. The stench of decay and mildew reach me and set my stomach tumbling. It’s amazing how much longer they last after the humid summer ends; a little cool dry air and these fleshies get a reprieve from Mother Nature.

             
My companion steps to put it down and I wave him off. Closing the distance to the creature, I draw my broadsword up on the diagonal, slicing the head from chin to temple. Black blood arcs through the air; the cadaver crumbles to the ground in a moist thump. Wiping my blade on its torn Disney tee, I turn to leave with Cal. The others will be expecting us.

###

              The ride back on the back of the Honda dirt bike was invigorating. Although it took me a couple of days to get used to the little motorbike, it was worth every purple splotchy bruise and maroon bulging burn. The elder Undead flew across the night sky while I plunged through the overgrowth. Speeding past lumbering Dead, I fought the urge to play mailbox baseball with their heads.

             
The journey back to the safehouse took the rest of the night. We arrived coated in bits of eviscerated fleshies and road dust. I spat bugs from my teeth as I pulled off the helmet.

             
“Not a bad ride. We should definitely keep this thing fueled in case of emergency.”

             
Cal just glared at the muddy bike.

             
Someone didn’t like riding on the back this last mile.

             
“Perhaps. However, in the future, I will be either driving the vehicle or walking beside it.”

             
We parked the Honda and carried our packs towards the house.

             
“My driving wasn’t that bad.”

             
“If you are gauging your driving by the fact that we are not dead, I must point out that I am already pretty damned close.”

             
Laughing at the quip, we entered the blue house. It was silent. Cal pointed his index finger to his ear and motioned me back. I eased out the door and quietly pulled my sword as his fangs lowered into view. The vampire disappeared into the unlit home. My blood pounded as I surveyed the area for dangers, my ears straining to hear some clue.

             
Where is everyone and who’s in there with Cal?

             
The crashing of wood and the violent sound of someone being thrown through a wall answered me. I bounded into the darkened house to help. I could hear someone struggling in the far bedroom. Bashing my shin into a table, I tripped, caught myself, and turned the blind corner. The noise stopped. I dug my heel into the carpet as I halted and shifted into a defensive position.

             
Cal, give a signal if you’re okay. Please just say something.

             
A tiny light came on in the room and I heard chuckling.

             
“So pleased you came, you old thief. What’s it been; thirty years?”

             
I perked up at the sound of Cal’s voice.

             
“Closer to forty. You remember that misunderstanding we had with the law over that smuggling issue.”

             
“Yes, that’s right. Ah, I did enjoy the seventies. Well, the 1970s anyhow.”

             
“I’m surprised either of us remembers them after feeding on all those hippies in the sixties.”

             
I lowered my weapon and knocked on the frame where the door once stood.

             
“Oh, sorry Squirrel. Please come in. We have company.”

             
“Where is everyone? And what smuggling issue?”

             
I sheathed my blade and shook the stranger’s icy hand.

             
He tipped his head to me and elbowed Cal.

             
“Yes, Caelinus do tell the lady about your brushes with the authorities.”

             
The Roman stiffened, “It was a simple miscommunication. Let’s focus on the current situation. This is my old friend, Reggie. He is the one I’ve been contacting beyond the quarantine.”

             
I stared gape-jawed at Reggie. I looked him over from his ginger ponytail to his worn hiking boots. His fitted tee barely reached his skinny jeans. Despite his travels, he appeared clean and relaxed. Except for the occasional glint of hunger in his eyes.

             
“Nice to meet you, Reggie. When did you get here? And where is everyone? We’ve got a lot of questions for you.”

             
“I arrived just after you both left; a Mister Daemon showed me around to the few people here and a Jamaican fellow allowed me a quick meal to sustain me after the trek. Your people are all at the main house; Daemon felt it would be wisest to keep me a secret until we could speak.”

             
“That was a fine decision he’s made. I suppose the two of you glamoured them to forget you, just in case?” Cal asked while guiding his pal to sit on the broken bed.

             
“Of course. Why make things more complicated?”

             
I sat opposite the vamps. A thin mist of plaster rose as I plopped onto the chair next to the caved portion of drywall.

             
“So you made it here; that means we can get out, right?”

             
“It will be a difficult endeavor, few will be able to go, and those who arrive will need to be given new lives.
Without certain memories.
”

             
Reggie shifted the wreckage at his feet. Cal smiled, lifted a gold necklace from the displaced pile, and placed it in our guide’s hand.

             
“We understand this venture is dangerous and have prepared some compensation for your assistance as well as the fresh starts we will need beyond the border. Consider this a simple thank you for this meeting.”

             
The jewelry evaporated into a pocket and the pair stood.

             
“It seems you prepared properly. Let’s gather the ones who are leaving and make a plan. It will take a while for me to get back to the border and get things in motion.” Reggie pointed a finger at the other Undead’s chest. “I haven’t told any of the others in
our community
about you and your progeny making a deal with these breathers.”

             
“I cannot show you how much I appreciate your discretion; I’ve no interest in being flayed and cremated alive.”

             
“Not a problem. I still owe you for getting me out of that bind with Hrafn the Berserker. What’s the point of living forever if you don’t get to keep all of your best bits?”

             
I made a mental note to ask Reggie about his glory days with Cal. We strode towards the main house to assemble those who planned on leaving the relative safety of our new home.

###

              Except for Bubba and Katie, all of our voyagers sat around the mussed living room of the secondary house. Knees bobbed and nails were devoured as nervous energy wafted around the cramped space. I glanced at Daemon; he was scribbling in a composition book. Chase sat beside Sunny and ran his remaining hand across her belly; he grinned as he spoke to their unborn child.

             
How the hell are we going to get a pregnant woman and her one-armed husband all the way to Canada from Florida?

             
“Alright folks, let’s get this party started.”

             
I stepped to the center of the room to address the crowd. The murmur died down.

“We have a guest here from beyond the quarantine. The gentleman by Cal is named Reggie. He is going to do his best to get us out of ZombieTown USA and set up with a second chance.
He agrees that the gold and silver we’ve accumulated should be sufficient, if we can survive the trip while toting this king’s ransom. Some of you have met him, but you won’t remember.”

             
Several looks of surprise and anger fixed on the ally and me.

             
“Who said this guy could wipe our memories?” Someone asked.

             
“We did. When we agreed to protect Daemon and Cal’s secret and when we decided to try to get out of this place. It’s not too late to back out; there’s plenty of room here and at the Hedburgs’ house. But anyone who goes has to accept that part of their new life will be forgetting our current one. And those who stay...” The elder undead nodded to me. “...those who stay will be losing contact with the outside world soon after we leave.”

             
The room was quieter than a mute’s scream.

             
Chase spoke first, his words scarcely audible.

             
“Why? Why do they have to be cut off?”

             
Daemon’s pen stopped.

             
“Because it’s the only way to guarantee that our secret will be safe besides killing everybody.”

             
Not the right way to say it, even if it’s true. Why did he have to say that?

             
“Essentially, he’s right. We need Reggie’s help to escape the quarantined zone and we have to assure him that the existence of vampires will not be announced to the world inadvertently. It’s all of our lives if that happens.”

             
I paused to find the best way to phrase it.

“If anyone outside discovers the truth, they will put us down like we put down the fleshies we cross: without blinking or caring. Daemon and Cal put their skins on the line to arrange Reggie’s help and he’s putting his neck on the block to get us out. Any of them could’ve just used us as cattle and bailed; they chose not to. We have to trust them.”

             
I watched as my companions shifted feet or rubbed necks to dissipate the discomfort. The silence grew heavier with each passing second. I was thankful when the Nurse rose.

             
“We all knew it we’d have to be on our own again. It’s stay here with the somewhat safety with just each other or try to reach the outside world and leave even the memories behind. Let’s not dwell, we made our choices, so I say we get this over with and move on.”

             
I felt the corners of my mouth tilt upwards and saw other smiles appear.

             
He’s going to be a good leader here.

             
“Okay then. The folks who are leaving will begin packing immediately and we will start travelling tomorrow at dusk; Reggie has to get back soon to set up new identities. As he goes, he’ll be leaving us a trail to follow and clearing Dead. After he gets things ready, he’ll backtrack to meet up with us and help the group finish the trip. Everyone here should have a few days to a week before the satellite has a planned malfunction.”

             
“How?” I looked around for the cause of the interruption, finally spotting Vincent. “How is the malfunction going to happen?”

             
I nodded to his left. Jordy stood and gave a little wave.

             
“That’s my job; Squirrel and Bubba set up the tree nearby to fall on it next time it’s windy. If it doesn’t, me and Troy are going to give a nudge to knock it over while having a driving lesson.”

             
“Any other questions?”

             
The only response was a series of yawns and shaken heads.

“Good. The sun will be up in a few hours, so off to bed unless you’re pulling guard duty. When you relieve the sentries, please pass on the info. Tomorrow is our last day together, make the best of it. Goodnight all.”