The Horror Squad: An Apocalyptic Tale (15 page)

“Good deal, I guess I need to go get some sleep. Will you wake me up about five or so this evening and we can all eat together and I will go on duty.” Tina instructed.

Kris nodded as Tina went on to get some rest. Kris went out and sat with the kids to tell them the news about getting to spend the night with each other, which made them all excited.

Five rolled around quicker than Tina was hoping. She liked her sleep and was excited to get more than she was used to. Once woke up, the group realized that her grumpiness did not only come in the morning, it was anytime she had to wake up. Sidnie ran to get her a cup of coffee and bring back after she had told everyone to shut up and leave her alone. Kris laughed at her as she sat up from her cot and ran her hands over her face.

“Hey there sunshine, stretch out your grumpies!” She told her.

“Shut the hell up!” She muttered back at Kris.

Finally with Tina able to function, the group decided that dinner in the room was a good idea. Each of them had a cup of ramen noodles and some toast. They all had a great dinner by themselves, talking and laughing about things that they used to do and making plans to see what they could find in the school gym to have a competitive game of some sort later that day or the next day.

Once dark settled in, it was time for Tina to go and keep an eye on things around the walls. The children were instructed to stay in the room until Kris got back so they could load Tina up with what she needed for protection.

The guys had left plenty of things for them to use and they utilized what they had. Tina took her nine millimeter pistol and stuck it in a holster on her hip. She had a large buck knife Gizmo had left her, but no holster, so Kris let her use hers that attached to the side of her boot that went with her knife. She shouldered one of the many loaded rifles that TJ and Gizmo left specifically for them and stuck some extra ammo in her hoodie pocket.

“Okay, I just walked the wall and made my way back around to Holsinger every time to see if he had seen anything last night. His relief comes on about two in the morning, so you will be dealing with someone else from the plant once he goes off shift for the rest of the night. I listened and watched the top of the wall and made sure that there was not anything unusual going on inside the wall. There is A LOT of ground to cover, so if you hear something or get spooked, make a bee line to the gate, otherwise stay on the wall and just listen. As always, don’t use the guns unless you have to and if you get into trouble, just give a holler. I have already let Holsinger know the plan and that I will have most of the windows open in the classroom to keep a listen out. Stay safe sister.” Kris told her.

Kris was not concerned, Tina did not like any kind of confrontation, but definitely was not afraid to stand her ground. She was a fighter and was not an enemy anyone would want. She could hold her own and had no problem in whooping your ass if it needed to be.

Kris went back to the room and laid everyone down with a book and told them that they had to be quiet in case Tina needed help and that she needed to get some sleep. The group abided and was quiet except for a few whispers here and there.

“Kris, is momma going to be okay?” Cloie stood over Kris’s cot.

Kris sat up. “Yes, baby, she is fine, why?”

“She is out there all by herself, I don’t like it.” Cloie stated.

“Your mom is a tough woman, and the only reason that your dad wanted her to stay is because he wanted her to be here with you. You seem to be so angry with your mom for letting your dad go out there on his own, but you are worried about your mom now. What’s up with that kid?” Kris asked Cloie.

“It was different then. Mom and Dad were together then, I knew that they would take care of each other. Now mom is out there by herself and doesn’t have Dad, and Dad is out there by himself and doesn’t have mom.” She bowed her head.

“Cloie, your mom and dad are both tough and will always take care of each other. But most of all they want to make sure that you and Hudson are taken care of, and that is why we are here and Dad is out there. Be thankful that you have both your parents still here and they are as tough as they are.” Kris explained the only way he could think of without bringing in the dead.

Cloie nodded and hugged Kris. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight honey.” Kris told her as Cloie walked back to her cot.

Tina had walked around the perimeter once and ended back up over at the gate. Nothing unusual had come about and Tina was ready for her next round. Holsinger told her that by her next round, that a man by the name of Greg should be standing guard until about nine or so to allow him to get some sleep. Tina said her goodnights to Martin and headed on to make her next round.

She walked fairly close to the wall to listen on the outside. Every so often she could hear a rotter’s moan or a slap on the wall where they would run into the wall and then the dragging of their feet where they would move on. She listened for the roar of a car or engine of anything, but no such sound came about. It took her a long while to walk the thousand acre perimeter. As she made her way around the last corner, she could see the small light that was kept on inside the guard shack that had been built. She quickened her pace, knowing that she was close and could at least talk to someone besides herself for a moment.

“You must be Tina?” The large man stated.

Tina was surprised at how tall he was. It was hard to get to know everyone’s name since there were so many that worked the plant at different times of the day, but she was surprised that she had never noticed him. He was a tall well-built guy that should have been hard to miss. She was sure that she had probably seen him before, but just didn’t remember.

“Greg?” Tina asked.

“Yep, I took over for Holsinger. All good on your end?” He asked Tina.

“Yep, nothing unusual. A few rotters out there, but nothing else that I have heard.” She told the man.

Tina reached into the guard shack and grabbed a couple of pieces of beef jerky that Karen kept supplied for Martin.

“Catch ya next round.” Tina stated.

Greg nodded and watched Tina walk next to the wall.

As Tina came to the corner of the layout, she felt an eerie feeling come over her. She stopped and looked around. She peered to the top of the fence and stood for a moment just listening to the night. With not even the moan of a rotter, Tina began to walk on. She switched the gun strap to her other shoulder and took a drink from the water bottle she had swiped from Holsinger earlier knowing that he was going off shift.

In mid swig Tina felt a hit on the side of her head. She fell to the ground face first and was flipped over quickly. The corner she was in was dark and she could barely see and now had a daze in front of her eyes from being hit. She could feel a hand that was putting pressure on her chest and it was pissing her off since it was smashing one of her tits. She gained her thought process and anger began to set in.

“What the fuck?” She questioned aloud.

“Just give me a minute.” The voice stated.

Tina grabbed the hand that held her down and was squishing her feminine area that was not meant to be and pulled the thumb backwards as hard as she could while sitting up. Another hand came around and pushed her back down and she lost grip. The man’s other hand came around and tugged at the button on her jeans. Tina realized what was going on and thought to herself. ‘You son of a bitch, are you kidding!’

She quickly raised her boot and was able to kick the man in the back of the head that was bent down over her. She again grabbed his hand and grasped whatever two fingers that she could and pulled with all of her strength. She listened to the fingers crack and the man fell over to her side, she quickly sat up on her knees and pushed even harder on the fingers as she felt his wrist give way under the pressure. She easily broke the man’s wrist.

“Fuck you!” She hollered.

She kicked him hard in his ribs until he had no breath left to gasp for and again hard in his nuts. She pulled the knife out of her boot and slid it along his neck line, hoping that it was a good place to slice since she could not see.

“Mom, the noise came from that way!” Sidnie pointed toward the front wall corner outside.

Kris slipped her boots on and ran out of the room grabbing a small flashlight on her way. She made her way outside and to the corner Sidnie had pointed towards. She shined the flashlight as she ran and saw a silhouette standing against the wall.

“TINA!” Kris shouted in as quiet of a tone as she could.

“Yes mother fucker, I am over here.” She stated breathlessly.

Kris ran up to her and shined the light onto the ground in front of Tina. A tall man laid at her feet, bleeding from the neck.

“Who the fuck is that?” Kris asked.

“Greg, took over for Holsinger. Attacked me from behind.” Tina said leaning over with her hands on her knees.

“Well, okay…I bet he doesn’t do that shit again” Kris joked.

“Glad this is amusing to you.” Tina stood and began walking towards the gate.

“I was kidding, what the hell happened?” Kris asked.

“I met him at the gate, talked to him for a minute and went on. He hit me over the head and that is what the fuck he got. Serves the mother fucker right.” She expressed.

Kris just walked with her until they got to the shack. “Sit here and let me go get Martin.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

GIZMO PULLED
at his arm and Justin joined in shortly pulling on his other arm.

“Get the fuck off of him you two-hundred and fifty pound bastard!” Justin hollered.

I had one hand around his throat and doing all I could to hold him back while he chomped his teeth at me and started drooling on my face. I had my other arm stretched back trying to grab the rifle and hollering to Gizmo and Justin. “Fucking shoot him!”

Gizmo finally let go and grabbed the rifle. “Please let him go Josh.”

There was no response and my arm was starting to weaken. I no longer had my elbow locked straight, it was starting to give way and his teeth were getting closer to my face. His normally bald head was covered in cuts and slices and part of it hung down over my face. I couldn’t hold up his weight anymore and my arm fell in place. Just as I tightened my teeth and accepted this was it, I heard the gun shot and felt his blood slap my face.

“You shot Josh!” Justin still in shock.

I rolled him off of me and laid there on my back trying to gather my thoughts as well as regain some strength. I blew out trying to keep the blood from going into my mouth. I looked above me to see Gizmo still standing there holding the rifle firm and still with it up to his eye from taking his aim.

“Fuck Josh, he almost ate me.” I told Justin once I caught my breath.

“I killed Josh.” Gizmo stated out loud, but mainly to himself.

“That wasn’t Josh.” I told him and rolled over to catch my feet and stand up.

“What the fuck do you mean that wasn’t Josh? I’m standing here looking at him.” Justin stated while making short paces back and forth.

“I told you, we’re in the zombie apocalypse. He was already dead.” I responded.

The rest of our little group started running down the hill from hearing the gun shot.

“Is that Josh?” Tina asked with her hand held up over her mouth.

I just looked at her and pulled my shirt up to use it as a rag and get the blood off my face. “We can either stay here and talk about it or we can get the fuck out of here.”

“And go where?” Gizmo asked.

“We need to find something big and with solid walls.” I responded.

“Let’s go to the old high school.” Justin suggested.

“Sounds like a winner, now let’s get everyone loaded up and get the fuck out of here.” I answered.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

STEVEN, GIZMO
and Donald were the first to wake. They left the rest of us to sleep and they walked next door to grab fishing gear. They stepped over to the back of the store and started browsing.

“All they’ve got is little kiddie rods.” Steven stated.

Gizmo picked one up and started looking at the little Minnie Mouse on the side of the reel. “Better than no rod, I guess.”

Steven picked one up too. “I guess you’re right.”

They heard the bell on the door ring and they knew someone had walked in. Gizmo and Steven started laughing because they figured it was me not being able to wait to go fishing, but I was still at the bar sleeping.

A bearded man stood there and instantly put his hands up to show he meant no harm.

“Who the fuck are you?” Gizmo questioned quickly.

He kept his hands in the air. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Jason, Jason Neilson. I’ve been staying next door and I saw your group come in yesterday.”

Gizmo set down his fishing pole. “Okay, what do you want?”

Jason started to put his hands down and Donald pulled up his rifle. “Whoa! I just wanted to see if there was any more room in your group. I’ve been here alone for working on a year.”

“You’ll have to talk to TJ. We’re part of his group.” Donald stepped in and stated.

He took a step forward and held his hand out for someone to shake it. “Great, which one of you is TJ?”

Steven started walking forward and Jason directed his hand his way. “Yeah, I’m not TJ. Wait here.”

The man awkwardly put his hand down as Steven walked passed him and out the door.

I woke up when I heard the bar door open.

“TJ, there’s a man at the station that wants to speak with you.” Steven stated.

I looked up at him and took a huge drink to empty my bottle and to prevent a hangover that I’m sure I had ahead of me. “What guy?”

“He says his name is Jason something. Said he saw us coming in last night.” Steven answered.

“Well, by all means…Let’s go talk to Jason.” I responded with a nasty morning breath and liquor pouring from my pores.

“After you.” Steven sarcastically stated as I walked passed him.

I ignored the gesture and kept walking. I hadn’t woke up enough to be talking to anyone.

I walked through the door of the gas station and walked directly behind the counter and grabbed a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

“You must be…” Jason started to say.

I quickly held up my index finger to nicely tell him to shut up for a minute. I ripped the cellophane from the top of the pack before pulling the paper lining and pulling out one of the Marlboro goodness. I struck the lighter and lit my cigarette and took a few drags before even looking at the man. “Okay, I’m TJ.”

“Yes sir. I was told that you’re the man I needed to talk to for joining your group.” He responded.

I took another drag from my cigarette. “Look, I’m not a morning person, so let’s make this short. Have you killed any kids?”

“No! Who the fuck kills kids?” He responded.

“Good enough for me. If you have anything you want to grab, you may want to do it quickly before we head out…Oh and if I turn out to be wrong about you, we’ll kill you…slowly. You don’t have a problem with that…right?” I added.

“Let’s hope you don’t think you’re wrong. So do I just need to meet you back here?” He responded.

“No, you can meet us in front of the bar in ten minutes.” I directed.

Jason walked out to get some of his things and we started grabbing the fishing gear. Gizmo and I grabbed a couple extra packs of cigarettes.

“What are we going to use for bait?” Donald asked.

“It’s way too early in the morning for me to deal with you.” I stated as I walked out of the station.

“That guy is such a dick!” Donald stated.

Steven and Gizmo started laughing. “You have no idea.”

Everyone followed me out and walked back to the bar where Howard and Rachel were just waking up.

“Damn, did I really sleep this late?” Howard asked as he stretched out.

“Yep, but I’m sure it was needed.” I replied walking through the door.

I sat the fishing poles down and made the other two aware that we had new company that would be joining us in a few minutes.

“Who is it?” Howard questioned.

“His name is Jason. Apparently he’s been living around here and something or another, I’m still not fully awake, so you may have to ask him yourself.” I answered.

Howard started laughing. “I feel ya brother.”

“Well let’s gather our stuff and go fishing.” I suggested as I grabbed my camelback and weapons before walking back outside where Jason was already waiting.

“We good to go?” He questioned.

“Yep, we’re all peachy.” I stated before starting to introduce each of my guys as they walked out of the bar.

“Nice meeting you all. I’m Jason Neilson and I guess I’m part of your group now.” He introduced himself.

Gizmo and I weren’t enthused and started walking toward the lake. It almost seemed like we’re trying to replace Justin in too little time of his death. I figured we just had to look at it different and in time would be able to.

We crossed the train tracks with a heavy heart weighing us down. Gizmo and I could hear Jason making conversation with the others, but didn’t pay it much mind.

About three miles out we could see the hoard that had chased us into the train cart and had took out Justin. Everyone froze except me and Gizmo. We faced it head on. Several must have broken off or we must have strongly miss counted because there were only about one-hundred of them.

I dropped my fishing pole and placed a firm grip around my machete before taking off in a dead sprint and burying it into the first skull I came to. I repositioned my hand and thrusted my blade behind me as soon as I felt the grubby fingers brush across my shoulders. I flipped it back to the front and started slicing into the necks. I saw Gizmo start moving forward and the sound of his motor start up.

One by one we started mowing them down and were so caught up in the moment of revenge that neither of us heard the gun fire going on behind us from the rest of our group.

After a solid fifteen minute massacre, we stood victorious.

“What the fuck was that?” Steven shouted.

I looked up at him then brushed my blade across one of the Rotter’s shirts to clean my blade before holstering it and walking back to pick up my pole.

“Are you wanting to die?” Steven shouted further from me not answering his first question.

“Are we fucking dead? Are you just wanting to wait around for those bastards to surround another one of us?...Well I don’t!” I finally shouted back.

There was a fat grub worm wiggling from one of their eyes. I reached down and pulled it out, then pocketed it.

We continued to walk for hours until we could see a high wall of grey stones.

“That’s it.” Gizmo stated.

We climbed the stones to see the huge body of water as far as we could see. Almost looked like staring out into the ocean.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the grub worm and inserted it on my hook before casting out while everyone else shimmied the dirt around for night crawlers. It didn’t take long before the end of my pole took a “U” shape and I pulled back to set the hook. It felt like a monster. My line had ran out so far that I thought I would run out any second. I kept reeling and pulling back on the rod.

Steven finally caught onto all the action with a bite of his own. “I got one!”

I finally started getting the better of my fish and making headway with bringing it in.

“Goddamn, you got Moby Dick on the other end of that line?” Gizmo asked after watching me fight it for at least ten minutes.

“I hope so.” I answered.

Finally pulled it from the water to see it was only about a pound and a half crappie.

Gizmo busted out laughing. “That’s Moby Dick’s snack.”

“Fuck you, you haven’t caught anything.” I responded before turning to see Steven’s catch.

Steven reached down and grabbed his line to pull up a six pound largemouth bass. “You can always feed your fish to mine.”

“Fuck both of you.” I stated.

I was about to throw mine back when I noticed Jason and Rachel gathering wood for a campfire. She walked over and took my crappie from me while Jason started the fire.

“Thanks.” I told both of them.

“Well, I’m not much of a fisherman, but I’m a pretty good cook.” Jason responded.

“Let’s see what you’ve got.” I told him.

“I’ll clean them if you’ll let me use your knife.” Rachel stated.

I pulled my pocket knife from my right pocket and handed it to her, then started stirring around the dirt to find another worm.

We ended the night with eight fish and a total weight of about twenty pounds. Rachel was better at filleting than I’ve ever been. She inserted the blade behind the side fin, ran the blade down, flopped the meat over and ran it right back down.

We hovered around the dancing fire from the wind blowing across the glossy lake.

“You know what we’re missing?” I questioned.

“What’s that?” Howard asked with a mouth full of bass.

“Some ice cold beer.” I responded.

“You got that shit right.” Gizmo stated.

“Well guys, let’s get some shut eye because tomorrow it’s home.” I suggested.

GATHERING

WE GOT
the kids loaded up in each vehicle we had there and I put on my spare tire. I went back in the house and wrapped up the ribs and started shoveling all the food from their cabinets into an empty trashcan.

“What are you doing?” Steven asked from behind me.

“We’ve got to have food and water.” I responded.

He joined in and started gathering up all that he could grab as well and running it out to my truck.