Surviving The Dead: Heartland Zombie Apocalypse Vol. 1 (10 page)

While the militia was making ready to take Doc to examine the dead they were holding captive at the lab site, Sergeant Andrews and his men were making their final preparations for leaving.  Crystal went to them to say her goodbyes and to thank Sergeant Andrews for rescuing her. 

Then going to Slinger, she pulled out the shell casing she always wore around her neck, “I'll think of you every time I look at this.  Keep yourself safe out there.” 

“I'll do my best.  We got a good team here.  You've come a long way since that little town in Iowa, I'm proud of you kiddo.”, Slinger replied giving Crystal a quick hug.

Crystal stepped back, “You all are staying for breakfast aren't you?”

Sergeant Andrews smiled, “Not one of us can cook worth a toot.  We wouldn't dream of leaving before then.”

Doc's examination of the captive dead fortunately went without incident.  Doc had an extensive list of tests that he had worked up and insisted on running them on the entire bakers dozen of dead.  It took an entire day to run the complete set of tests and by the time Doc was done everyone was exhausted.  In part due to the physicality required to constrain the dead, but mostly due to the expenditure of nervous energy worrying that at any moment something would go wrong.

By the time they arrived back the evening meal had been served and cleared away.  However, Tobin kept something warm for them.  Doc took his tray back to the clinic anxious to go over the test results and try to make sense of something that could not be.  The rest of them ate together in the dining room and Tobin joined them taking a seat next to Crystal..

They ate in silence, trying to internalize what they had witnessed, eventually Amy hit on a safe topic, You know Cap, with Andrews and the others gone there are some rooms available.”

“Thank you Amy.  Would you show me around after dinner.”, Crystal answered.

“Sure, glad to.”, responded Amy

Crystal squeezed Tobin's hand, “Care to join us in a little apartment hunting.”

The staff building was two stories tall and had four small apartments on each floor.  The first floor also had a commons room that was being converted over to the main security office.  Cameras and motion detectors placed around the fence and public areas were all in process of being wired into monitors setup in the office. 

Mick was the only person on staff that stayed at the resort year round.  The temporary staff had left the resort, as news of the outbreak was released.  The Braun's, Percy and Mae, were the only quests, at the time and Mick had moved them into an apartment next to his.  Blade and Amy each had an apartment up on the second floor.

All of the apartments were basically the same, in the end it boiled down to who Crystal was going to pick as neighbors.  Crystal chose the apartment that was across the hall from Percy and Mae and nearest to the security office.  This way she was both close to her mentor and readily available if an emergency came in.  With Crystal's choice made Amy excused herself for the evening and Tobin helped Crystal retriever here belongings from the Mcpherson unit.

As they put away her scant belongings Tobin queried Crystal, “I didn't want to ask while everyone was around, but something certainly had you all on edge.”

Crystal shook her head to indicate her confusion as she answered, “Toby its just all this has happened so fast.  We all had to quickly adjust to the reality that the dead were walking among us.  When Doc started running his tests it became clear how impossible this reality is.  We're all asking ourselves all sorts of questions.  Is this an experiment gone horribly wrong, a bio-weapon sent to wipe us out, or are we being punished for our sins?”

Tobin guided Crystal onto the couch before responding, “All good questions, which we will probably never have an answer to.  All we can do is keep taking on what's in front of us.”

“I guess.  I'm just so tired, I'm getting a bit loopy.”, Crystal responded wearily.

Tobin placed a pillow on his lap and had Crystal lay down. Crystal fell fast asleep, just moments after she rested her head, with Tobin stroking her hair.  Tobin stayed put for a long while, not wanting to disturb her.  Eventually he slipped out quietly and headed back to his own room, for the remainder of the night.

A couple of days later Doc asked the council to convene so he could present his results. “I'm not sure I have a lot of answers, but lets start with what I do know.  All thirteen of those things that I examined showed consistent results.  There was no detectable heart beat, respiration, or pupil response and their body temperature matched room temperature.  Based on that alone I would say they were dead, if it weren't for the fact it took two strong men to hold them, while I examined them.  Judging by their reactions I would say they are able to see, hear and smell. I have no way of testing how keen those senses are.  I also did not record any reaction that indicated individualism to me.  Their bodies didn't show any of the normal signs of decomposition, nor did they show any healing of their wounds.  It is hard for me to admit this, but I have to say they are reanimated dead.”

Doc cleared his throat, obviously a bit uncomfortable with what he was going to say next, “The rest that I have to say is hypothesis or educated guesses.  The fever that comes from the bite of a walker is a red herring.  Initially I wanted to tie that disease to the reanimation, but we've all witnessed cases of reanimation without death being caused from a bite.  So the fever from the bite and the reanimation are two separate events.  I am suggesting that the disease spread through the bite has existed in the human population for quite some time, but has always been held in check by a living bodies immune system.  It has just been sitting there waiting for reanimated bodies to spread it.  Animals have been feeding on the bodies available to them and we have yet to see diseased birds or dogs from this.  So I am not expecting to see the disease jump to other species, that is good news.  One other thing I checked was the patella reflex, I tapped their knee to see if their knee jerked.  None of them had a patella reflex action.  This is a simple test of basic neurological  function.  It is an automatic function of the body and helps a person maintain balance.  In regards to the dead it is an indication that the nervous system is short circuited as well.”

Doc paused to let his last statements sink in before finishing, “Regarding the reanimation process since destroying the brain is the only way to stop them it is easy to say that something has invaded the brain and that is what controls them now.  The only problem is where is the energy coming from.  Without oxygen, without water, without blood flowing there is no way to bring nutrients to the muscles.  There is not enough energy stored in the muscle fibers to move a body three feet, let alone a hundred miles.  There is no virus, no parasite, no bacteria that can change that.  We also have the fact that if it is a disease the progression was way too fast.  This thing went world wide in the span of a few days.  Even with international flights and all of that a disease does not progress this fast.  In short I have no idea how this can be possible.  I'll leave it up to you to decide if it came from Heaven, Hell, a highly organized terrorist attack, or aliens.  I guess none of that matters they are part of our reality, with the slow rate of their decomposition I would say they will be with us for quite some time.  They don't heal so normal wear and tear will take away skin and slow down joints.  I know we are hoping for the winter freeze to thin out their numbers, but I just don't know.  I think it will definitely cause them damage and I don't think they can move if frozen.  I just don't know if freezing will do enough damage to the brain.  Too much of my medical knowledge is out the window when discussing these things.”

The group was quiet for a minute than Mac spoke up, “Thanks Doc, it will take a bit to take this all in.  Perhaps you've covered this with Captain Innes, but what about the plan to lead herds of the dead off.”

Doc looked over at Crystal and proceeded after she nodded her approval, “We are still working on that.  We need to noodle on it some more, but we did some testing.  We could get them to chase after a flash light beam, much like a cat goes after a laser dot.  They will also move in the direction of loud sounds.  They track moving objects and they take special notice of brightly colored or shiny objects.”

“What other testing do you have in mind?”, Lois asked.

“There are two lines of research we want to do.  First we are assuming the herd from Lexington, followed either the exhaust trail or some scent from the vehicles.”

“Like ants invading a picnic.”, Lois interjected

“Exactly we need to find a way to disrupt that trail.  The second is finding a lure that they will reliably follow.”, Doc replied.

“Captain do you have a time line?”, Mac questioned.

“Not yet.  As Doc said there is still more to learn.  The other side is having the militia prepared to do this.  I've assigned Bill Parsons as chief of security, that way we always have someone here focused on town safety.”

“Alright thank you for the update.  Keep us posted.  Try to keep a lid on this around town until we got something more solid.  I don't want people getting edgy.  The council has to approve any plans you come up with.  The gain has to outweigh the risk to the militia.”, Mac cautioned.

“That is the idea lower the risk all around.”, Crystal stated almost as a challenge. 

Melissa slept in late on the day everything changed.  Austin, just starting his residency, was working a double shift at the ER.  Their dog Duke, a wedding present from Melissa's brother, was curled up asleep beside her with his head on her hip.  At nearly a hundred pounds Austin hated it that Melissa let Duke in bed with them.  Duke got particularly annoying when the couple was romantic and the sounds of their lovemaking caused the dog to investigate what was wrong with them.  However, on days like this when Austin had to be at work Melissa appreciated the company. 

“Well Duke we better get you out for a walk”, Melissa announced. 

The dog hearing the “W” word jumped off the bed and bounded for the back door.  Melissa dressed quickly slipped Dukes leash onto his collar.  As the pair walked around the fenced in yard of their complex Melissa was surprised that they didn't see anyone else. 

“Well this sure is a quiet day Dukesy finish up your business and we'll go catch the news.”, Melissa voiced.

  Duke tugged on his leash indicating he'd rather play than head back in, but Melissa was insistent.  As soon as they got back in the apartment the phone was ringing they caller ID showing it as Austin. 

“Hi Honey wassup”, Melissa joked. 

“Melissa, I don't have much time to explain, just do what I ask for now and I'll fill you in later.  Stay in the apartment until I get there.  Pack us some clothes, food and water for as many days as you can.  Dig up my shotgun from the closet too”, Austin stated frantically. 

“Okay Austin, I don't understand, but I'll do it”, replied Melissa. 

“Melissa, I love you, I'll be there as fast as I can.  Whatever you do don't open the door for anyone, absolutely no one”, Austin exclaimed.

Melissa turned on the TV as she began to pack.  Most channels were either off the air or displayed the 'We are having technical difficulties Please Standby'.  What channels that were on just displayed a static message of stay in your house, stay away from strangers, avoid anyone who appeared sick.  Melissa had no idea as to what was going on and panic was slowly beginning to take hold of her.  Duke could tell she was upset and stayed way to close and she repeatedly stumbled over him as she packed.  She was close to done when Austin arrived and as he looked over what she had together he rapidly began to add to the pile as he told Melissa his chilling story.

“I had gone to the break-room to catch 20 winks during my break.  The day had started pretty much like every other day and then it was like a switch was thrown while I was sleeping.  I woke to screams in the hall and when I looked out I saw the supervising physician covered in blood.  He looked at me with a wild look in his eyes and screamed 'The dead. Their attacking'. 

After a second he recovered a bit, he told me. 'Son just get out of here there is nothing you can do.  The dead aren't staying dead and they are ripping apart anyone alive.  Every time they kill someone their numbers keep growing.'  I shook him off thinking he had lost it and went to see for myself.  As soon as I entered the hall all I saw was carnage.  A number of dead were shambling towards the two of us.  The doctor pushed me back and told me to just leave now.  I tried to escape through the lower levels of the hospital, but made the mistake of getting to close to the morgue.”

  Austin rolled up his sleeve to show the bandage, “I'll be okay it wasn't deep and I cleaned it out immediately.  Just to be sure I grabbed these.”  Austin revealed a bottle of pills from his pocket, “These will knock out anything that might have been in that bite.”

Melissa began rocking back and forth in shock and horror.  Austin was not the type to play a practical joke, but his story was just so incredible. 

Austin seeing the fear and confusion on her face did his best to soothe his wife.  “Melissa Honey, it will be okay I figure we'll head to my parents hunting cabin.  There is not as many people in Pike county and we'll hole up until they get a handle on this thing.  I know its not the romantic getaway I've been promising, but at least we are together.”

The pair quickly loaded their little car.  The trunk was overstuffed so Austin just tied the trunk shut.  Just before they left Austin loaded the shotgun with double aught buck shot and put the gun in the front seat next to Melissa.  As the they left the Chicago suburb Melissa asked Austin why he wasn't heading to the highway, but Austin informed her that it was a parking lot and hoped to make better time on the side roads. 

Getting out of town was a nightmare.  The roads were all backed up, horns were blaring, and the sounds of screaming could be heard everywhere.  At one point Melissa got her first view of the dead walking in the streets.  They kept coming up to the cars like vagrants looking for handouts.  One pressed his face up to Melissa's window, blood dripping from its mouth and its jaws snapped open and shut.  Duke normally a very social dog began growling and snarling as Melissa screamed in terror.  A woman in the car ahead of them made the mistake of rolling down her window to yell at them to get away and they just reached in pulled her out and tore into her in the middle of the street. 

Austin not knowing what else to do said, “Fuck this shit.” and drove up onto the sidewalk.

It was dark before the couple got to open roads.  “We'll need to find gas soon all that idling sucked up most of our tank”, Austin informed Melissa. 

Melissa just nodded trying to come to grips with what was happening and was seriously contemplating suicide when Duke squeezed his head between the front seats looking for a little attention and to let Melissa know he needed to be let out. 

“But then whose going to take care of you then.  Austin can we find a place to stop soon I think Duke has to pee and I know I have to”. Melissa queried. 

“I see a gas station ahead.  We'll see if its safe”, Austin told her. 

The lights of the station were on, but otherwise it was completely abandoned.  Austin grabbed the shotgun and had Melissa walk Duke as he pumped the gas.  As Melissa used the restroom Austin went to leave 40 bucks on the counter to pay for the gas, but changed his mind and left a hundred dollars.  He cleaned out what he could of the snacks, focusing on jerky, nuts, and drinks.  He found some empty gas cans and filled them up as well.

As they drove off Melissa touched Austin's arm.  It was hot to the touch especially near the bite wound, “Austin are you sure your okay”.

Austin popped a couple of pills from the bottle, “I'll be fine”. 

He drove on for another three hours and then pulled over on the side of the road, “I need to get some sleep, before I drive us into the ditch”. 

He gave a quick kiss to reassure her, but Melissa could tell that his fever was getting worse.  Melissa took the flashlight and map from the glove-box to get an idea of how far they had to travel yet, but the flashlight kept flickering off and she had to shake it to get it to come back on and eventually gave up.  She tilted her seat back to be closer to Duke and the lab gratefully laid his head on her shoulder.

Melissa woke to Duke softly growling and a hand grabbing at her arm.  Flicking on the flashlight Melissa saw in horror that Austin had become one of those terrible dead things.  His seat-belt was preventing him from getting at her.  In terror she unbuckled herself and dove out of the car.  She slammed the door shut and then quickly opened the back door unhooked Duke and got him out.  Melissa walked a ways from the car, but it was dark as pitch and she could barely see. 

Eventually she sat down and Duke sat next to her.  She hugged the dog around his big chest and began to cry.  First in little trembling whimpers, but eventually downright bawling.  Slowly she gained her composure and tried to think a way out of her situation.  Her thoughts were interrupted by Duke growling again.  Had Austin managed to get out the car or was this a new threat?  Melissa flicked on the flashlight to see a group of dead coming at them. 

She jumped up yelled to Duke to run, but in the dark she ended up tripping over a log and drove a stick through her leg.  Duke stood in front of Melissa, barking and snarling at the advancing attackers.

“Run Duke!  You have got to leave me!  I can't get up!”, Melissa tried to convey to the dog.

She sat up grabbed his collar and tried to push him into action.  When that didn't work she began hitting him and screaming at him to go.  Duke wasn't sure why she was so angry with him, but slowly he backed away.

Melissa found the flashlight giving it a shake she could see the group nearly upon her.  The cut on her leg was gushing blood and she was starting to lose consciousness.  The dead reached her just as she passed out and began to feed on her.  Duke in terror ran from the scene as fast as he could.  He kept constantly on the move avoiding people especially those that smelled of death.  Duke fed himself as best he could from the rabbits and mice he could catch and occasionally would eat the remains of other animals that the dead had left behind. 

On one occasion he was nearly caught by one of the dead, but by then he had lost so much weight that when it grabbed his collar he was able to slip out of it.  Duke had no idea how long he had wandered or how far, all he knew is that he really missed his friend and would do anything to have her back.  Then it happened he had found an out of the way cottage and near its garden he caught a rabbit.  Just as he was about to devour the rabbit an old woman exited the cottage.  She didn't have the look or smell of the dead on her, so in a bold move Duke picked up the rabbit, walked up to the woman and dropped the rabbit at her feet.

While Crystal and Doc were filling in the council on their testing of the captive dead, Crystal had asked that Blade, Amy, Percy and Bill sit down and formulate two sets of strategies.  The first was the general ongoing defense of the community, but specifically tactics to defend against an invading living antagonist.  The second was to train the militia in hand to hand tactics to use against the dead.

“Vell Corporal, I suggest Bill and I continue to focus on the defenses here and you and Miss Landers handle training against the dead.”, Percy offered.

“I'm good with that Gunny, but I'm curious what defenses your planning.”, Blade responded.

“Ve keep up vit establishing discipline and chain of command.  Tactically ve are down in a valley and that is not good.  Getting a vatch at the road is paramount.  The nearby voods will slow down vehicles coming at us, but still give cover to a ground assault.  Ve put up some simple things to control flow through the voods.  Also, I'd like to put up a couple of gun towers for the 50 cals..”, Percy recommended.

“I'd like to suggest we make it harder to be found.  Use cars to block off some of the exits towards here.  Take down any of the billboards and such pointing the way to the resort.”, Amy offered as she updated notes to review with the Captain.

“We need to have a plan for escape.  We had to run here and the time may come that we will have to run away.  I mean retreat is a legitimate military option isn't it.”, Bill blurted out.

Percy took a deep breath and let it out slow before answering, “Ja it is.  I really hate running avay.  Your right ve should have a plan.  Fortunately, ve can pass this off to the council for now.”

Blade was well pleased with the idea to eradicate the dead.  The last few weeks had been a struggle to him.  He had stayed behind when the Sergeant left because he felt he could do these people some good.  However, it felt like they were just waiting for the threat to come to them.  Taking the fight to the enemy feels like a much better plan.

This kid Crystal was an enigma to Blade, she didn't fit into his military world.  To look at her she was this pretty little farm girl that you just wanted to wrap your arms around and protect.  Inside her was something hard.  He was shocked when they came back from the supply run and she had organized security for the compound.  Blade had considered throwing his name into the hat when they voted for the militia captain, but he always considered himself more of a soldier than an officer.  Grudgingly, he had to admit Crystal had a real sixth sense regarding what needed to be done.  When she set her mind on something  she had this way about her that just made you feel like that was the thing to do.  Mac was the same way, he was just a blue collar guy before the outbreak.  Now  folks just naturally turn to him for direction.

Crystal had put Blade in charge of training, picking, and leading the first team sent out.  She even submitted to be trained by him.  Again this confounded his military logic.  Crystal was his superior, but he was expected to treat her during the training just like any other boot camp grunt.