The Dead Divide Us (Book 1) (15 page)

“So then, my family might still be alive. Hiding somewhere; they might need me.”

Robert and Major Frost looked at each other. Jan was right of course, how could any of them be sure that Jan’s family
was
dead?

“I’m going with you.” Robert said to Jan.

“What?” said Frost.

“Hell no, your place is here with your mother.” Jan said.

“Yeah.” Frost added.

“Jan, you risked everything to come here with me. Without your help I probably never would have gotten out of those woods. I’m going to return the favor. No arguments.” Robert said.

“I wanted you to run things here Robert. But I can keep watch here; we have a decent amount of ammunition left.” Frost said.

“I will step up and control things here when Jan and I get back.” Robert said.

“Absolutely.” Frost returned.

“But when we do come back, this place better not is overrun with sick-fucks. Try to do your job this time.” Jan blurted out, and this statement actually really hurt Major Frost.

“I’m sorry son.” Major Frost said, in a low sad voice.

Robert walked across the stable, to his mother. She was now sitting straight up, looking somewhat better. Robert motioned for the two soldiers by the door to come join the rest of them.

“Alright everyone, gather round. It’s time we come up with a proper plan.” Robert said. Everyone was now standing close to one another, Robert being the ring-leader.

“There are only a few of us here. But we have protection and plenty of food and water. Frost, you and your men…I’m sorry what are your guys’ names?”

“Private Coiler”

“Private Dunbar”

“Ok, Coiler and Dunbar, you and Major Frost are on duty to secure this farm and its surrounding land. It might be a good idea to start killing these sick freaks in a way that is a little quieter.”

“Gotcha; won’t attract ones that are close by. Good thinkin',” Frost said.

“Now Mom, how is the food situation?” Robert asked.

“Well,” she took a moment, “if we ration the food I have inside, then yes we can hold up for a little while at least.” Rita finished.

“Good, when you get inside start a plan to ration the food.” Robert added.

“What about you Robert?” Frost questioned, already knowing the answer.

“I’m sorry Mom, but Jan and I are going back to Colton.”

“No! Robert you can’t!” Rita screamed.

“Mom, I have to. Jan risked his life to get me here. It’s only right I do the same. His family needs our help now; it’s their turn to be saved.”

“But how do you know they are still alive?” Private Coiler asked.

“We just do.” Robert said; his voice strong now. Strong like a leader. The Private respected that.

“While we are gone, Frost, you really should go down and clean out that mess of dead people in the driveway.” Robert said.

“Ahead of you on that one boss, we are going to start a burn pile.” Frost said.

Robert picked up his trusty bat, and held it proudly.

“Alright, Jan let’s not take a chance on my old bronco. Mom, can I borrow the car?” Robert said, smirking at the irony because he hadn’t asked that question in over a decade.

“Of course, the keys are in the kitchen.” Rita said.

“Great. Okay, let’s go,” Robert said. Everyone in the stable had their spirits lifted. It wasn’t much of a plan, but at least they had guidance. And each other.

“Sir, yes sir!” Private Coiler yelled, and then raced to the stable door.

Coiler swung the door open and stopped dead in his tracks. The entire front yard, and area surrounding the stable, was covered with infected people. The moaning of the sick grew louder and hit their eardrums all at once. Four of the infected grabbed Coiler and pulled him directly out of the stable. They began to bite him, tearing him apart almost immediately. Blood was flung in every direction.

“So much for a plan.” Frost said to Robert.

5

“Out the back, now!” Robert yelled, griping his bat tight.

“What about my horses?” Rita cried out.

“Unhook ‘em! Quick!” Jan screamed, joining the party.

Jan opened the gate for Sundance and Robert tended to Shadow. Both horses were acting crazy over the drowning sounds of the infected people outside. Then, a cluster what had to be a dozen of the infected, burst through the front door of the stable. The group of infected would have easily been able to grab Jan and pull him back into their cannibalistic means of death, but Sundance reared back and kicked most of the front line of the infected in the chests. The group went flying backward, moaning in agony.

“Holy shit.” Frost said, amazed.

Robert flung open the wide back door to the stable. And he was thankful that the infected had not reached the back area yet.

“Okay, we are getting outta here. Frost you’re drivin’!” Robert yelled as they exited the stable. Both Shadow and Sundance ran off, away from the stable. The horses were better off to fend for themselves, away from humans.

“What? You want to leave this place? Where are we going to hold up?” Frost yelled.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Did you see how many of those things are on the other side of the stable? The house is practically is surrounded!” Robert fired back.

“We need to just calm down and come up with a plan.” Frost said. An infected person, a lady dressed in an elegant nightgown, came charging around the corner of the stable and bit Frost directly on his neck. Out of surprise and jolted reflexes, Frost’s trigger finger pulled and he shot Private Dunbar with about twelve rounds of ammunition. Two of which got him in the face. Rita cried out in horror. Robert, Jan, and Rita were all stunned.

“Kill me, god damn it! Shoot me!” Frost cried out in torturous agony as he was continuing being bit, his face being torn to shreds into the infected lady’s mouth. Robert was about to use his bat to bash the lady’s head in, when three more groups of the infected came rushing at them. One group from the left side of the stable, one from the right, and one coming directly out from the stable.

“We gotta run!” Jan screamed.

Thinking quickly, Robert led them far out, away from the house, away from his truck. Some of the infected followed them, stumbling after. Some of them stayed to feast on Major Frost and Private Dunbar.

“They have the keys on them, for the army truck. One of the privates had them, not sure which one. We need their guns too!” Jan said, running slightly behind Robert and Rita.

“Forget about that shit, too dangerous. We have to get the Bronco started!” Robert said.

“What about our truck, the keys are in the kitchen.” Rita exclaimed, practically out of breath. It had been a good while since she had to sprint.

“Mom, look at the house.”

Rita quickly looked back, her dearly beloved farmhouse, her dream home, was overrun with infected people. Nearly two dozen of them were on the front porch, many of them were making their way into the house as well. In a matter of mere minutes, Rita had lost her husband, her horses, and her home.

“Here’s the plan. I’m going to lead the crowd of sick fucks away from my truck. Jan you grab the rock and try to start her up again. Mom, you turn the keys to the ignition while Jan slams the starter column. The keys are still in the ignition.” Robert said, and then he took off in a different direction, leaving Jan and Rita to tend to his truck.

“What?” Rita said, confused.

“Just go!” Robert screamed back. He was now approaching the oncoming group of sick people. He started yelling at them, slamming his bat off the ground, and jumping up and down. Sure enough, the group started to veer off toward Robert. He had managed to get them to chase him as he led them away from Jan and Rita.

“Come on!” Jan said to Rita.

They reached Robert’s truck; Jan opened the door quickly for Rita and let her in. He reached over to grab his rock and popped the hood.

“Ok, when I say so. Try to start her up.” Jan said, closing the door. Rita waited inside anxiously with her fingers around the keys, ready to turn. Jan swiftly made his way to the front of the vehicle. Thankfully, the closest sick person to him had just started coming down from the front porch. “
Don’t have a lot of time here!”
he thought.

Robert had done a great job at leading the crowd toward him. Perhaps even too good of a job. He was now running away from what had to be well over two dozen infected people; all of them moaning and most of them coughing up black bile. The stench of all of the rotting bodies was overwhelming. Robert dry heaved while trying to keep his eyes open, not an easy task to do. He only had about twenty feet of separation between him and the crowd. And the tree line was coming up quickly behind him.

“Now!” Jan screamed and Rita turned the keys. Jan struck the starter hard, but nothing happened. Just the ticking sound of a dead truck.

“Fuck! Ok, again!” Jan screamed and Rita turned the keys again. Same result,
Tick. Tick. Tick
. Jan was already starting to think of an alternative to Robert’s truck, when a man grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around.

The sick freak had Jan pinned to the front end of the truck. He exhaled a breath of hot stench into Jan’s face as he tried to bite his nose off. Holding back to urge to vomit, Jan swung his rock onto the man’s temple, not once, but three times. The man’s head didn’t split; it just cracked slightly each time until he dropped to the ground.

“Fuck this!” Jan yelled out as he spun around quickly.

“Try it again Rita!” he yelled.

Rita again, turned the keys to the ignition as Jan pelted the starter column with multiple hits from his rock.

Tick. Tick.
Then the old rusted out hunk of junk finally started.

“Jesus, finally!” Jan cried out in joy as he slammed down the hood. He ran around to the passenger door, noticing another group of infected people were only about two feet away from him. As he jumped inside the truck and slammed the door, the group slammed into the passenger side of the Bronco.

“Go! Get to Robert!” Jan yelled and Rita quickly put the truck in gear. She sped away, heading downhill toward the driveway.

“Where is he?” Jan said.

“I can’t see him.” Rita cried out. Was she to lose a son on this day too? As they approached the pile of bodies that Frost and his men had created she spotted him.

“There he is!” Rita exclaimed.

Robert came running out from, and in front of, the massive group of infected people. All of them, chasing him now. Robert ran to the top of the driveway and motioned for Rita and Jan to join him.

“Let’s pick him up!” Rita said.

“Ok, you’ll have to go around the pile of dead people.” Jan said.

“Bullshit I do.” Rita said, surprising Jan with her assertive tone. Rita reached up and pushed the truck’s button to enable the four wheel drive. Then she put the pedal to the metal and gunned it hard. Jan also reached up, but he was grabbing for the safety handle above the door.

“What the shit are they doing?” Robert said. The crowd was almost near him again.

Rita drove the Bronco straight over top the pile of dead people and right through some of the active crowd of the infected. Jan hit his head on the ceiling of the truck as it bobbed wildly up and down. People were smashed on the front end of the truck, some bounced off into the air.

She slowed down as they approached Robert and he jumped onto the back bumper. There was no time to stop and let him into the truck. He braced one leg onto the tire carrier and slammed his hand on top of the truck roof.

“Go! Go!” he yelled out.

As the truck went down the long driveway, Robert looked back. Behind him, his father was dead. His parents’ home was overrun by sick people, from a disease that knew no limit. Many of them were still trying to follow them down the driveway.

Where now? What’s next? How much more of this can we take?

Colton.

Whatever was left of Colton was their destination. Maybe, they’d get lucky and find a real stronghold, a safe house. The ultimate goal was to find Jan’s family, still alive and well. Maybe.

“
Holy shit.”
Robert thought.

After everything that has just happened, I still have hope.

Hope is the only thing keeping us moving right now.

Hope is the only thing giving us strength.

Hope is the only thing keeping us alive!

Chapter 8: Word Travels Fast in a Small Town

Shortly after Principal Audrey Wyatt’s revelation that Denver was being strangled by the fatal disease, Mayor Tim Schacht tried to regain control of the Green Falls town meeting. He didn’t have much luck at that. People in the audience, members of the Green Falls community, had begun to leave. Everyone was in hysterics; death was approaching their tiny town, and fast. The crowd was convoluted with all of them trying to see who had the better idea of how to handle the oncoming threat. Mayor Schacht did what he could to remind everybody that he thought it still best that no one leave town.

“Please don’t try to do anything rash or ill-advised. We are still simply too uninformed!” The Mayor yelled in into the cheap microphone. Only one person acknowledged him as the auditorium cleared out very quickly... It was Gus Frankly, who raised a middle-finger salute over his right shoulder.

“I saw that Gus.” Mayor Schacht said quietly while shaking his head in resignation, and then turned off the podium microphone.

Outside, the cold rain was still misting. Principal Wyatt was sobbing and she was making Paul feel very uneasy. Roy saw to it that she receive a ride home with Doctor Nicholson, the two of them lived on the same street.

“Well, sure thing Roy. It’s a terrible thing, and in the grand scheme of things Denver is pretty damn close. What do you plan to do Roy my boy?” the Doctor asked, after helping Audrey into the passenger seat of his car. Paul, Glen and Warren waited next to Roy’s SUV.

“I’m not totally sure.” Roy told the doctor. But Roy Benton did know what he was going to do. He was hoping Paul was going to feel the same way: the cabin was their only hope.

“I better get Audrey home and I need to get back to the office. People will be coming out of the woodworks with cases of self fulfilled sickness. I sure do hope that this disease doesn‘t hit us as hard. I was thinking maybe the viral strain might weaken as it traveled, but it doesn’t seem like that’s happening. If anything, it’s probably getting stronger with each person it claims. ” the Doc said.

“You didn’t get a chance to speak at the meeting, what do you know about the virus?” Roy asked.

“Well, from a medical standpoint, it’s bad. If even half of the things being said are true Roy, I don’t know what we can do to prevent it. I’ve got a stockpile of antibiotics back at my office, but that won’t do anything for a virus.”

“But how can you know that?” Roy asked.

“My old college roommate practices out of Queens New York. We’ve been emailing each other on and off over the last half decade or so. He emailed me last night already, saying he was treating victims of bites and scratches. I thought he was trying to be funny at first, but then I starting hearing the news reports. The last email I received from him was very short. All it said was “Meds don’t work. Run to the hills if you can.” I’m not surprised because antibiotics only work on bacterial strains; viruses have to run their course. With the virility of this virus, it’s going to take a while for anyone to develop a vaccine; provided they don’t get infected first.”

There was a cold silence and a brisk breeze swept between Roy and Doctor Nicholson. Light rain hit the side of Roy’s face and he had to squint.

“Stay safe doctor.” Roy said, and turned away.

“Still keep in contact Roy. Tell Kirsten and Alexis to be careful.”

“I will.”

Doctor Nicholson got into his tan mid-nineties sedan and drove off. The parking lot surrounding the high school, which was full of vehicles only ten minutes ago, was now barren. People had left in a hurry.

Paul stood by Glen and Warren, watching Roy approach. Paul’s mind was racing ever since they left the auditorium. He had an aching pain in his abdomen; he desperately wanted to be home with Ruth and his two boys.

“Gentlemen, a word, if you please?” Mayor Schacht said, walking up behind Paul. The Mayor was accompanied by Sheriff Baxter.

‘
The puppet and the puppet master.’
Paul thought to himself.

“What do you want Tim?” Roy asked, as he joined them.

“Well, the sheriff and I know just how much you mean to the people here, Roy. Tell you the truth; I believe you are closer to them then me or the Sheriff. Do you know why that is?” the Mayor asked.

“Cuz Roy don’t have no badge.” Warren blurted out proudly.

“That’s right Warren. People see Roy as more of a friend, not someone in a position of strict authority. But also as an authoritative presence they feel comfortable with.” the Mayor said.

“Yeah Roy is like one of us. He doesn’t exude an unfriendly power presence.” Paul added, making it obvious that he was speaking in reference to Sheriff Baxter.

“Well sometimes we need to make the people know we are in control.” the Sheriff said, looking down at Paul. Paul began to feel more uneasy. The Sheriff smirked.

“What exactly is your point here Mayor? We’d like to get home to our families.” Roy finally said.

“I want deputize you Roy. I need your information, the information on your level that is, if we are going to make it through this.” the Mayor said. Roy was shocked, he couldn’t believe it. Glen and Warren were just as surprised by the Mayor’s offer. But Paul was not, he saw right through what Mayor Schacht and the Sheriff were trying to do. They were going to make it hard for Roy to leave Green Falls.

Had Mayor Schacht and the Sheriff known about their mountain cabin?

Paul was indeed thinking a lot about their backup plan. Running to the cabin, fully loaded with supplies, and keeping his family safe in isolation until this whole thing blew over.

“What do you say Roy?” the Mayor asked.

“I don’t know what to say. Um, I think I need to be with my family first and foremost.”

The Mayor and the Sheriff looked at each other, almost expecting that response from Roy. And Mayor Schacht didn’t look pleased.

“Are you really going to deny this? Turn down an opportunity to help your community?” the Mayor asked.

“Listen, I’ll be in contact with you by noon. I need to get these men home to their families. Come guys, get in the car.” Roy said, looking very nervous.

Mayor Schacht and the Sheriff were silent for a few seconds. Paul, Warren and Glen quickly made their way into Roy’s vehicle.

“Well, alright. I better hear from you soon Roy.” the Mayor said, and with that Roy slammed his door shut and started the SUV.

As Roy pulled out of the parking space, Mayor Schacht and Sheriff Baxter stood there watching like a dog watches his master eat steak.

“Jesus.” Paul said without moving his lips. Roy turned his SUV left onto the main road leading back towards their homes. Paul felt relieved to be away from the Mayor and Sheriff Baxter.

“Ok, what is their problem?” Glen asked.

“They are losing control.” Paul responded.

“I never liked that asshole Baxter. Thinking he’s all the shit cuz he wears a badge. Fuck him!” Warren exclaimed.

Paul turned to Roy, who was doing his best to drive safely in the rain.

“I think they want to keep you here, they don’t want you going anywhere.” Paul told Roy.

“I know. They don’t want anyone leaving this town, and that could be trouble.” Roy said, now giving Paul a significant look. The cabin may be harder to get to then expected.

“Why? You thinking of leaving Green Falls?” Glen asked from the backseat.

“I thought we’d all hunker down with guns, ammo, and enough spam to last a lifetime. Beat this thing as a community. I’m actually looking forward to this!” Warren said.

“Yeah our houses are all close to one another, we could fortify our street real good. Roy, you ain’t leaving are you?” Glen said, he sounded sad and sincere which made Roy feel awful. What could Roy tell Glen and Warren, really?

“I’ll be here guys. Just relax.” Roy told them.

For the next few minutes they sat in silence, all of them waiting to get home. Paul knew what Roy was thinking. And Roy knew what Paul was thinking.

If they stay in Green Falls, they will die. Their families will die. Everything would be lost. They need to get to the cabin, away from the worried people of Green Falls.
Because when the disease hits, people become the problem.

2

Paul noticed a large crowd, consisting of his many neighbors, as they rounded the turn to their street. It had seemed everyone on their street block had made their way over to Roy’s house; most of them were just standing around talking to one another. But at second glance, all of them looked very worried. Stan Hadley was one of the neighbors waiting for Roy; and the first one to notice his SUV coming down the street.

“Oh man, already?” Roy asked, inside of his car.

“You didn’t expect this? These people are worried, and they are going to come to you for answers.” Paul said.

“I know that. I just didn’t expect the whole town to know about Denver already. Man, look at how upset some of them look. Roy said.

“I bet that Stan Hadley went and told as many folks as he could. Smart-nose librarian bastard never knew when to keep his mouth shut!” Warren added.

“I imagine most heard from Audrey herself though, she wasn’t very quiet about it at the meeting.” Paul pointed out grimly.

Roy applied the brakes in order to slow down before turning into his driveway. The crowd cleared, backing away slowly, making a small path for Roy to park.

Paul jumped out of the vehicle first, just as Roy killed the engine. A few people that Paul didn’t even know that well were immediately in his face, asking him questions. He was bombarded so fast he couldn’t even tell who the voices were coming from:

“Your close to Roy, ain’t ya? What’s going on, for real?”

“No, this is the guy who has a brother in Pennsylvania.”

“Oh yeah. That’s a long ways from here. You sure he saw this crazy disease shit?”

“How bad is it really?”

“My family and I never get sick. So I’m not worried. Should I be worried?”

Many other questions were thrown toward Paul and he was lost in the confusion. The crowd of his neighbors seemed to be getting rather restless. Paul looked behind himself and saw Glen and Warren were at the back of Roy’s SUV trying to retrieve their rifles from the truck. Paul pushed his way over to them, dodging many people and even more questions.

Paul made it back next to Glen and Warren, who had just laid their hands on their firearms. Paul was quickly starting to understand that this crowd was more than just confused and everyone there was looking for answers. They were fearful and angry. A bad combination for sure. Paul heard the sound of Roy’s car door finally closing shut from the other side of the vehicle. Roy himself was trying to field far more questions than Paul was even asked. He was practically being mobbed. Stan Hadley was literally chest to chest with Roy, screaming a million questions, seemingly at the speed of a mile a minute. In the mere fifteen seconds since Roy parked the vehicle, the situation had gone out of control.

Control gone? So quickly, how could it be? More fragile than one could see.

Paul had seen enough, he turned and asked Glen to fire his rifle into the air. Glen’s eyes lit up quicker and brighter than an old mattress soaked in kerosene.

“My pleasure.” Glen said, simply. He then clicked off the safety, raised the rifle to the sky and fired.

Paul had fired guns before, always in the company of Roy. After Roy convinced Paul to purchase a handgun, he had convinced him to also join his shooting club. It wasn’t often, but occasionally the two of them went out to the firing range at the club. So Paul was not a complete stranger to the sound of gunfire. But that was always
with
ear protection. When Glen’s rifle went off, it created a booming sound that seemed to crush Paul right where he stood. He literally almost jumped right out of his shoes. Everyone in the crowd jumped up and then instantly ducked down, even Warren. Glen stood there proudly; the crowd was now silent and looking only upon him.

“You people pull your shit together and stop acting like a buncha lunatics!” Glen commanded. Roy, who had been scared shitless by the gun blast too, came running over to Glen’s side.

“Glen is right. You all have to calm down. This isn’t the end of times. We are still here and we can still make a difference.” Roy said. The crowd around the four of them slowly started rising to their feet.

“But Roy, it’s in Denver! Fucking Denver for Christ’s sake! What do we do?” Stan Hadley asked, frantic again as the crowd started showing signs of returning to the hysterical mess it was just a moment ago.

Glen just slowly raised his rifle to the sky yet again, and everyone quickly became silent, some stopping in mid-sentence. No need for another insanely loud gun shot. This was now actually quite funny to Paul; and Glen loved the control he had over these people.

“That’s right people. I can do this all day.” Glen stated. “Now I see what the sheriff meant about control.” he whispered to Paul.

The crowd remained silent. Stan Hadley had a twisted, stifled face. He looked as if he had missed his morning bout with the bathroom; constipated from the neck down.