Dead of Knight: A Zombie Apocalypse Survival Tale (24 page)

“Ryan, I like her.  But, there’s been so much going on that I haven’t really thought about it.”

“Well, Mike, you’re gonna have to think about it.  I can’t have problems in the house because she’s mad at you or you’re mad at her or any of that crap.  And if you even think about putting your hands on her or any other hanky panky…”

“I get it, I get it.  Do you want me to leave her alone?” he asked. 

And I paused for a moment.

“I didn’t say that,” I replied.  “Just don’t hurt her.  And if I ever catch you two alone somewhere, doing whatever, I will throw you to the zombies.  Got it?”

Mike nodded and still looked scared.  So, I figured my work here was done and went to bed.

Wednesday, December, 24 2014

              Karen, Beth and the kids stayed back to watch the house during the ‘great zombie hunt of 2014’ as Mike was calling it.  The kids weren’t happy about it, either.  I thought that moving through the neighborhood, behind houses and garages would just be too dangerous for them to come along.  In a similar way, I was concerned about Sam and Lois who really hadn’t been out of the house much.  I was wrong.  Clearing the neighborhood was turning out to be surprisingly easy.  It was decided that we wouldn’t search the houses.  If there zombies inside, so what?  They weren’t getting out by themselves.  Maybe one day we would want to use a house for something and we could clear it then.  No point letting the zombies out now.  We had cleared a few streets when I was hailed over the radio.  It was Tom.

“Ryan, copy.  Ryan.”

“Go for Ryan.”

“We got hit.  On a supply run to the Lowes and Home Depot up past the Wal-Mart.  I lost 2 people.”

I pulled everyone in to a close circle and told them to keep an eye out.

“Where are you now?” I asked.

“We’re on our way back to the house.”  Shit, I figured they lived on the other side of us from the Lowes.  They’ll go right past our street.

“Make absolutely sure that you are not followed.  I repeat, do not let them follow you.  If they find out where you live…”  I trailed off.

“Copy that, Ryan.”

“Do you require any assistance?”

“No, not now anyway.  I’ll check in when we get home.”

“Copy that, Tom.  Be safe.”  I dropped my head and cursed.  “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck it all!”

“What do we do, boss?” asked Mike.

“I don’t know, Mike.  I was getting used to zombies.  But, humans?  I’d rather fight zombies.”

“He didn’t ask for help,” said Sam.

“And he doesn’t know where we live,” said Tony.

“Yeah, but they’ll drive right by here in a few minutes,” I said.  “Not sure I’m happy about that.”

“Let’s get back to what we were doing,” said Lois.  “They’ll call if they need help.”

“Alright, but if anyone hears an engine, call it out and hide.”

They all nodded and we went back to what we were doing.  About 20 minutes later, Tom called again.

“We’re home safe.”

“Good,” I said.  “Any indication that you were followed?”

“Not that I could see.”

“What happened, Tom?”

“We were at the Lowes getting supplies.  There was gunfire from outside and we tried to leave because I remembered your Costco story.  There were zombies coming from the hospital that’s over there.  They must’ve been out side.  We didn’t see them.  But, as we went outside we were taking fire.  We fired back but my brother was hit and went down.  We tried to get to him but his wife was hit, too.  She managed to get in the van but she died after a few minutes.  I left my brother behind, the gunfire was too intense.”

“Godamn it, Tom.  I‘m sorry.  Anything we can do?” I asked.

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Then call if you need something.  Again, Tom.  I’m very sorry.”

“Roger, Tom out.”

I looked over at Mike and h returned my gaze for a moment then looked over at his mother.

“What?” asked Sam.

“It’s the same MO of the group that attacked us.  It’s the same group that killed Michael,” I replied.

Lois put her hand to her mouth and both Sam and Mike went to her and held her in their arms.  Sam looked over at me.

“We need to go back, Ryan,” she said.  I nodded.

“I’ll take lead.  Tony, can you bring up the rear?”  He nodded.  “Remember, if we hear an engine we take cover.  Let’s go.”

Back at the house, Lois recovered from the sudden shock and sadness that fell over her with the help of her son and the other ladies.  The kids practiced their crossbow skills in the backyard with Tony and me watching over them.  It was a new rule; no one went anywhere alone, even the backyard.

“There’s no indication that this group is searching neighborhoods for survivors or supplies,” Tony said.  “So far, they seem content with hitting people near the supply source.”

“Why don’t they just get their own damned supplies?”  It was a mostly rhetorical question but Tony didn’t see it that way.

“They’re probably scared of the zombies.  Or scared of becoming one.  The fears are probably very different.  You’d have to ask a shrink.”

“I don’t know what to do, Tony,” I said.  “We’ll have to get more supplies eventually.”

“We could take more people.  Maybe keep a better lookout.”

“I don’t feel good about leaving the house unattended,” I said.

“Think of the effort to go house to house looking for supplies that way.  Not to mention the zombie surprise.  No they’re gonna watch the stores until the supplies are gone.”

I nodded.  Tony was right.  It made sense.  But it seemed to be my job to worry about such things.  And it was going to be weird to leave the house unattended the first time we do it.

“What about tomorrow?” asked Tony.

“What about it?”

“Ryan, it’s Christmas tomorrow,” he whispered.

I burst into the house and ran into the kitchen, startling Samantha.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“That tomorrow is Christmas.”

Sam walked over to the pantry door where we kept a calendar and grabbed it off the wall.  She pointed, counted, thought and mumbled.

“Son of a bitch.”

“We got a few gifts that weren’t electronic didn’t we?” I asked.

“One or two…”

“Shit,” I said.  “Alright, we can do this.  What about..?”

After a few minutes, we had it worked out.  Team Knight.

Sam got the ladies involved and I filled Tony and Mike in on the plan.  We took the Land Cruiser and drove a few miles to the Family Dollar.  It was next to the Bi-Lo where they had met Tom.  We were relatively sure there’d be none or maybe just a few zombies there after yesterday.  Tony stayed outside while Mike and I cleared the building.  Only four zombies were inside.  We took board games, toys and candy for the kids.  There were even a few treats for Thor.  This Christmas would be about the kids.

When we got back, we left the goodies in the car and met Sam inside the garage.

“Is it done?” she asked.

“Yep, just like we talked about,” I replied.  “You fill everyone else in?”

“They are all on board.”

Tony and Mike just smiled.

“It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing,” said Tony.

“It’s gonna be great,” added Mike.

After dinner that evening, everyone gathered as best they could to enjoy coffee and hot chocolate by the fire.

“Mal,” I said.

“Yeah, dad?”

“How ya doin buddy?” I asked.

“Okay, I guess.  I didn’t like all the shooting the other day.”

“Neither did I, buddy.  Neither did I.”  I took a sip of coffee.  “Do you remember that first day when all of this started?”

“Yeah, the day you got Tabby and I from school.”

“That’s right.  Do you remember we talked about what Christmas might be like this year?  What would happen if we didn’t have power?”

“Uh, huh,” he said but he looked confused.

“Wait,” said Tabby.  She was getting it.  “Did we miss it?  When’s Christmas?”

“We didn’t miss it,” said Sam.  “Tomorrow is Christmas.”  Both of the kid’s faces brightened up.

“What are we going to do?” asked Tabby.

“We’re going to have Christmas of course,” said Sam.

“In the morning, the two of you are going with Tony, Mike and me to get a tree.  Then we’ll spend the rest of the day decorating it and enjoying everyone’s company.  And, of course, enjoying whatever Santa brings for you.”

“You think Santa will come with all this going on?” asked Mal.  I smiled at him.

“Yes, I do, Mal.  I believe in Santa.  He’ll find a way to make the trip.”  The kids were super excited and that was awesome for everyone in the room.  It turned a bad day into a good one and there were so few things to celebrate during the zombie apocalypse.  We had to celebrate every one.

“Make sure you two are in bed early enough tonight,” Sam said.  “It’s a big day tomorrow.”

“We’ve got an early morning’” I added.

Once the kids were asleep, everyone chipped in to wrap the presents and pack the stocking.  The group took to the project with joy and laughter.  Everyone wanted this to as normal a Christmas as possible for the kids.  When we were done wrapping and stuffing, the presents went in a circle around the spot where the tree was going to go.  Then we hung the stockings by the chimney with much care.  Afterwards, everyone hugged and headed off to their beds.  When I climbed into mine and blew out the candle, Sam put her head on my shoulder.

“You did good today, Ryan Knight,” she said.

“I did, didn’t I?  You did pretty good yourself.”

“Thank you.  I’m looking forward to a somewhat normal day tomorrow.”

“I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Thursday, December 25 2014

              When the kids woke up on Christmas morning, all the adults were already there and waiting.  Mal and Tab really wanted to open their presents but I knew if I let them do that, I’d never get them out to get a tree.  So, we got bundled up and Mike, Tony, the kids and I jumped in the Land Cruiser and headed out. 

              The trip to get the tree took just over an hour.  We found a nice one in a yard over on River Rd just a couple of miles away.  There was only one zombie to deal with.  Seemed kind of strange to mix zombies and Christmas but I guess we’d have to get used to it.  Moving forward, it just wouldn’t Christmas without the zombies.  It wasn’t too big of a tree but it still took longer to cut down than it did to drive there and back.

While we were gone on the tree hunt, the women decorated the house with all the tinsel and garland they could find in the attic.  We were thoroughly impressed with the amount of work they put into everything.  I don’t think there was a dry eye in the adult’s eyes when the tree was set up in the corner with all the presents around it.  The kids were focused on the presents and with a little prodding from Beth and Tony who were looking for some surrogate grandkids, I let them start to open their gifts.  The adults took turns putting ornaments on the tree until it was perfect.  Except for the fact that it was the zombie apocalypse, this might be close to what Christmas was like before the world was electrified.

Lunch was a jovial affair with much laughing and conversation.  The kids ate quickly of course and went back to their toys.  There would be a debate for some time over which present was the favorite.  I was thrilled that the kids were so happy with their presents.  Especially since nothing plugged in to the wall or recharged.  I was reluctant even to get anything that was battery operated.  We needed the batteries for other things and we would eventually run out anyway.  Instead, they were excited to play with toy trucks, dolls, action figures, board games and a ball. 

After lunch was cleaned up it was time for a nap.  The Millers headed back to their house and everyone else settled down for a rest.  This was the best thing about the zombie apocalypse, afternoon naps.  Even the kids took a nap although they needed a little coaxing.

I awoke maybe 2 hours later, to Tony’s voice on the radio.

“Ryan, copy.  Ryan.  Copy Ryan”

“Go for Ryan.”

“We need some help down here, buddy.  And we need it fast.”

“What’s wrong,” I asked, already moving.

“The house is on fire.”

I grabbed Mike, Sam and Lois and we got the bus rolling.  Sam even thought to grab the fire extinguisher from the kitchen.  Once we were on the Millers street, we could see that the fire extinguisher was not going to be any help.  Black smoke was rising up above the houses.

“I hope they’re alright,” said Lois.  “They’re such nice people.”

“When we get there, Sam, you and Lois go right to them and make sure they’re not hurt.  Mike and I will provide security.”

We could see the Millers standing by the road when we rounded the corner.  Beth and Tony had their arms around each other.  It would have been endearing except for the circumstances.  They seemed uninjured.  There were flames coming out of some of the windows and one spot on the roof of the house.  There was nothing we could do to save it.  Sam and Lois ran over to them.  Mike and I got in the street to keep watch.

“You guys okay?” she asked.   “Are you hurt?”  Beth was crying and couldn’t answer.  Tony answered for both.

“She’s not hurt.  My arms and hands are burnt some though,” he said.  There were a few armfuls of stuff at their feet.

“I tried to save a few things,” he said absently.  Lois went to work on his burns.  They weren’t severe but second degree burns were no joke in the zombie apocalypse.

“The most important thing is that you’re both safe,” said Lois.

“Ryan.”  I turned to see Mike pointing up the street in the direction we just came from.  There were 4 zombies shambling in their direction, drawn by the noise of the fire and, no doubt, the commotion.  I nodded then checked the other direction and found 2 more zombies coming from that direction.  These two were a little farther away than the others.

I stepped up next to Mike.  He had already taken out 1 of the 4 zombies on that side.  I fired and got the second one while Mike reloaded.  Then he fired while reloaded and I reloaded and fired again.  We were getting good at reloading quickly and firing accurately.

“Behind us,” I said.

We turned and found Sam already in the street.  She had taken out the closest zombie and was reloading.  Mike and I lowered our weapons and watched as she got a bead on the other one and fired.  Head shot.

“Way to go honey!” I shouted.  I was proud of her.  Mike was also impressed.

“Nice shooting boss lady,” he said.

She smiled but I could see her hands were shaking.  I realized that this was one of the first times she’d been out of the house.  I took her in my arms and held on to her.  The fire was forcing us back into the street.  I could see Tony take his wife’s hands in his and kiss her.

“We need to go, Beth,” he said.  “We’re safe and we carry our memories in our hearts.”

Beth nodded almost imperceptibly and allowed Tony to lead her to the bus.  Sam and Lois followed.  Mike and I checked our surroundings and grabbed the small pile of stuff Tony had managed to get out.  Then we boarded the bus and headed home.

Everyone came into the garage and tried to help.  Beth would only let Tony help her and he sat her gently down on the sofa and got her a bottle of water.  Only then would he let Lois treat his burns.  Karen and the kids came over but there was nothing to be done.  Karen backed off but the kids stayed and sat at Beth’s feet.  Soon, she managed to put a hand on each of their heads and smile softly down at them.

“Thank you for helping,” she said softly.

I pulled Sam aside in the kitchen.

“Our inventory included supplies at their house, correct,” I asked.

“Yeah, but I noted what was where.  I’ll get it adjusted.  Won’t take long.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“We will have to re-arrange the sleeping situation,” said Sam.

“Yeah, I know.  Maybe the kids would be alright with sleeping bags for a few days?”

“No,” she replied.  “I think the kids would actually enjoy being in the sleeping bags for a few days.”

“Okay,” I said.  “Let’s do that and re-think it in a few days.  Damn it.  This was going to be a normal day for them.”

“Did you find out what happened?”

“No, they tell us when they’re ready.  I’m not going to push.”  I leaned up against the wall.  “I really hate this shit, ya know.”

“Not your fault.”

“I know.  It’s nobody’s fault.  Except the son of a bitch that allowed the tainted vaccines out.  I hope he’s a fucking zombie.”

Mal and Tabby were excited to sleep in the sleeping bags for a few days.  Especially since they’d be in the living room and that’s where the Christmas presents were.  The kids also wanted to be the ones to tell Beth and Tony that they could take their room.  Beth started to cry and that upset Mal but he realized that she wasn’t mad when she pulled him up on her lap and hugged him.  Tabby got the same treatment.  I was so proud of my kids.  Even in this, what had to be the worst of times, they weren’t complaining or causing trouble.  They were just being great kids.

We made the best of dinner.  It was lavish by our standards and Tony and Beth tried to be happy but I’m sure they were remembering Christmas’s at their house with their kids.  And all of that was gone now. 

“It was the candles,” Tony threw out in the middle of a different conversation.  “I left one in a stupid place.  I think it caught a curtain on fire.”  He looked at his wife.  She was hearing this for the first time, too.

“It’s alright, Tony,” she said.  “I’ll miss some of that stuff but I’d miss you more.  I’m just glad we’re safe.  Thank you all for that.”  She reached out for his hand and we all smiled.

The rest of the dinner was announcing the new sleeping arrangements.  I let the kids do that part.  We also made plans for the replenishment of what supplies we lost at the Millers.  The kids asked to be excused to go back to their toys.  Who could blame them?  As they got up from the table, each of them gave Beth and Tony a hug.  So proud.

Right as we were all ready to say good night and head off to bed the radio squawked to life.

“Ryan, copy.  Ryan.”  Christ I’m popular.

“Go for Ryan.”

“It’s Tom.  We need help.”  I nodded to Mike and Tony and they started to gear up.

“Talk to me Tom.”

“They must’ve followed us.  We were attacked about 30 minutes ago.”  I dropped my head and then looked up at Sam who just looked shell shocked.  Karen and Lois were standing behind her.

“Sam, everyone gets a firearm.  Handguns and AR’s.  I want lookouts front and back.  Spread out the shotguns.  I want a few on each floor.  Put them by the windows upstairs and the doors down here,” I said.  She nodded and they went off to do what I wanted.

“How’d you do, Tom?”

“We lost another person, Barb’s brother.  And two of us are injured including me.  We barely made it out.”

“You’re on the road?  Where are you?”

“We’re almost up to Main Rd.”  I looked over at Mike and Tony.  They both nodded.

“Ambush,” said Tony.  I nodded back.

“Tom, we’ll meet you at the Stono Market again.  Are they following you?”

“I don’t know.”

We grabbed the rest of our gear and loaded the Land Cruiser.  I told Sam to blow all the candles out and use flashlights.  Maybe the house would look unoccupied.  We were at the Stono Market in 3 minutes.  Just after we set up there were headlights in the distance.

“Tom, flash your lights.”  The lights flashed.  “Good.  Pull into the lot of the store across from the market and take up some defensive positions.  Do you have any kids with you?”

“One.  My nephew.”

Okay, keep him on the far side of that store.  He’ll be out of the line of fire there.  We’re in front of the market.”

The minivan pulled into the lot across the street and stopped.  We could hear Tom giving instructions.

“In position,” he said.

“Copy that,” I said.  “Let’s wait a few to see if you’re being followed.”

“Copy.”

Just a heartbeat later I could see something moving down the street in the direction Tom had come from.  It was in the middle of the road.  No, on the left. Crap, it was dark.  Then I realized… it was a vehicle weaving through the cars.  Thank God for the moon.

“Tom, keep your heads down.  I can see movement down the street.”

“Copy.”

“Mike, can you see?”

“I see a truck, maybe a pickup.  There are five guys that I can see.  Two on one side of the vehicle and three on the other side.  Think they saw Tom pull off?”

“That’s exactly what I think,” I replied.  “But, they don’t know we’re here.”

“They followed him with no headlights and I can’t see their brake lights,” said Tony.

“Probably disabled them,” said Mike.

“They saw the minivan pull off the road.  These guys are coming to finish off these people.”

“What’s your point, Tony?” I asked.

“They’re not going to negotiate.”  I sank my head down but then nodded.

“Tom,” I whispered.  “Turn your radio down.”  I did the same.  “There’s a vehicle coming.  It’s about even with Johan Blvd.  Maybe 100 yards down.  We can only see it in the moonlight.”  A few moments later, Tom responded.

“Yeah,” he said.  “I see it.”

“When we fire, take out the ones on the left.  There are three of them on that side.  Decide who shoots at whom.  I don’t want anyone getting away.”

“Copy.  On your signal.”  I turned to my guys.

“Mike, you’ve got the guy on the right.  Tony, you’ve got the one next to him.  I’ve got the driver.  Got it?”  They both nodded.

The vehicle was getting closer.  The guys were more visible.  Each one carried a long rifle of some sort.  A few more seconds.

I raised my AR, sighted the driver and inhaled deeply.  As I let my breath halfway out, I fired.  Bang, bang, bang, bang.  We weren’t letting them go.

All around me, the noise was deafening.  Mike and Tony were firing rapidly and I could see flashes from across the street.  My ears rang and my night vision faded.  I could barely see when the gunfire tapered off. 

When the smoke cleared and my night vision started to return I couldn’t see anything moving down the street.  The truck had swerved off to our right and ended up in a ditch.  The quiet seemed as deafening as the gunfire had been.  I could barely hear Tom over the radio.

“Ryan, copy.  You guys alright?”

“Yeah, we’re good.  Any problems over on your side?”

“No, we’re good.  I didn’t see them get off a shot.”

“We need to go up and take a look…”

“Ryan,” said Tony.  “Do you know what ‘bounding over watch’ is?”