Midnight Outbreak (10 page)

Chapter Twenty

The topic of a new leader was breached with the utmost caution. Nobody wanted to piss Brendan off.

Meanwhile, Brendan had suggested to Josh that he take over. He was a good fit, a natural leader, and the one who could run it like Uncle John would have wanted.

Will agreed with Brendan. He didn’t want the responsibility, either. Nobody wanted Nathan to have it. Nathan, while a hard worker, was still wet behind the ears. Before the plague, he had worked at a comic book store. He was the laziest of all the men, even Peter, who was thirty years his senior. Everyone knew Nathan felt entitled to the role since he was blood-related.

Josh thought about it long and hard. He wasn’t opposed to taking a responsibility of that magnitude. He had worked side-by-side with Uncle John long enough to know that a leader really was a decision maker, but also a listener.

They all met three days after Uncle John’s funeral. Every person took their places around the long rectangle table. The vampires were sleeping and the children had taken off to the basement to play board games. Mari was smart enough to know that this wasn’t a meeting for kids to attend.

Nobody sat in Uncle John’s chair. Not yet. It sat empty at the head of the table, an in-your-face reminder of the great man they had lost.

Peter started the meeting, “We all know we need a leader. Someone that can take us in the direction that Uncle John was leading us. Our goal is to be self-sustaining, and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the dead heads. To still have the alliance we have with the vampires. That was important to him as well. Even with his blowout not long ago, he was adamant about that arrangement staying put no matter what.”

Nathan sat there, looking bored. His knees jumped under the table, occasionally hitting the underside of it with a soft thud.

“So, saying that, we need to pick someone, man or woman, that would like to take over and honor Uncle John’s wishes.”

Nathan quickly said, “I’m going to do it. I was his nephew, and since his other nephew doesn’t want the job, I’ll take it.”

Will rolled his eyes at Josh. They were seated close enough that Josh saw Will’s hand gesture underneath the table and laughed. Nathan glared at him.

“Something funny, Josh?”

“Nah. I just think you may be a little young. A little too reckless.”

“What the hell?”

Peter chimed in. “Nathan, calm down. We all have a right to our own opinions and to state them.”

“Not when your opinion is shit, like Josh’s.”

The corner of Josh’s mouth turned up in a sarcastic smirk. “Oh-kay.”

Brendan spoke. “Nathan, no offense man, but I really think Josh should take that place.”

The women remained quiet, looking from Josh to Nathan and back again. Josh knew they weren’t going to volunteer. They had told him that in recent days.

Peter spoke up with a raised hand. “Okay let’s have a vote then, alright? A leader needs to be picked, not just based on relations. John thought of all of us as family, Nathan.”

With a roll of his eyes, Nathan snorted obnoxiously.

“Okay, so all in favor of Josh, raise your hands.” Starting with Will and Brendan, who simultaneously raised their hands, one by one each hand rose around the table, Peter’s included.

Nathan’s face was crimson. “He’s not kin! This is my kin’s house! Not yours!” He stood abruptly, knocking his chair noisily to the floor. “You’re gonna run us to the ground and become dead head food, you fuckin’ idiot.” He stormed from the room.

Josh took a deep breath. “Thank you, guys. Thank you very much. Y’all know that ain’t true; I’m gonna work my ass off, just like I have done for the last five years, to keep us all alive.”

They adjourned and Peter took him to Uncle John’s office. Peter had worked closest with Uncle John. He knew where all the blueprints and inventory lists were—everything that Uncle John kept a meticulous count of.

Josh knew about most of this stuff, but some things astounded him. Uncle John kept a detailed list of everyone at the compound. He had even started on the Van, Makayla, and West lists. Birthdays, allergies, any illnesses; he had them listed in an old steno pad.

He flipped over to his name; his birthday, May twenty-third, was written down. What his job was before the plague. Favorite foods, even strengths and weaknesses. Josh realized how observant Uncle John had been, because he didn’t ask this stuff straight out, not even the birthday part. He smiled and shook his head.

“Ol’ bastard should’ve been a spy,” he said to himself.

Peter laughed. “That was his best feature; how observant he was to everything. Lots’a people just thought he was some fat redneck, but he wasn’t. He was the smartest man I knew, and the bravest. Saved my ass lots’a times in ‘Nam, that’s for damn sure.”

Peter showed him the office closet. Tacked on the inside of the doors were maps of the United States. They all contained multiple circles, messages and thumb tacks throughout.

“Whatever we heard over the CB, John kept count of. Outbreaks, military bases being shut down. We haven’t heard much the last year or so, but it shows where other camps are, the ones who have communicated with us.”

Josh stared in amazement at the maps. “John knew his shit.”

“That he did,” Peter agreed. “Of course, I helped him. I’ll help you, too. You’re gonna do just fine. Don’t pay Nathan no mind. John loved the kid, but he knew he wasn’t ever gonna be able to lead the place.”

Josh and Peter’s first order of business was to redo schedules and jobs. The vampires’ jobs never changed. Not unless they had to go on supply runs at night. They were there to strictly protect the homestead so everyone could sleep.

However, others’ jobs needed to be reassigned. His job, for one; he wasn’t going to be going on any raids in the near future. John had never been on one; he only orchestrated them, writing detailed lists and mapping out places to try. Peter mentioned that harvest time was coming and they would have to have the women pull double duty canning everything they could to last them through the winter.

Josh made plans the rest of the afternoon. A million thoughts swam through his mind and he doubted a few times if he was the right person for the job.

A tiny voice, sounding much like Uncle John, resonated through his mind at that instance.
Of course you are, ya dumbass
.

Josh smiled and went back to work.

Chapter Twenty-One

That Winter

Josh had settled into his leader position without much trouble from Nathan. The compound ran as smooth as possible. Harvesting had been done in a hurry, their autumn cut unreasonably short. That year it had stayed hotter than normal, the summer lasting for a full two weeks longer than normal, and then the winter started earlier than usual. They were able to harvest everything from the garden and Brendan had a successful hunting trip before the cold settled in. They would get by with the food they had—some days would be skimpy, but everyone had gotten used to that.

Van and Will’s relationship took a whole new level when one of the vampires happened across them screwing in the barn. It was embarrassing, but a funny story and after the fact, Makayla had stepped in to help assist Josh with his new duties. Her former job was a high school assistant principal, so she was used to lists and organization. She helped him tremendously. Often he found himself late at night thinking about what she looked like under those old rags she wore.

His heart was lonely after so long without someone to have. Myra used to tell him that it was only human nature for people to be together. Nobody could be alone; it just wasn’t right. She made him promise when they first married, that if she died first, he would find another and not waste his life. Her words came to him frequently.

Makayla was like Myra in a lot of ways, and he wondered if that’s why he was attracted to her. They were both beautiful in a shy, librarian sort of way. She was a good mother to West, and was warm and nurturing to Mari. She stayed with Josh until he was done every day, making sure that things were in order. Then she would go take care of the kids, resigning herself to motherly duties for both of them.

Maybe one day he would work up the nerve to kiss her, hold her hand, anything. Not only did the zombie plague bring death, but it brought a loneliness that surrounded Josh’s heart and squeezed tight.

***

Snow rarely made an appearance in East Texas. The winters were mainly gray skies with lots of wind. That winter, a light dusting of snow left their field a beautiful white. It was decided they should take time out and have a snow day.

Their snow day lasted only an hour. Everyone had bundled up in all the extra sweatshirts, coats, beanies, and gloves they could find. Mari and West built a snowman, and Will decided on a snowball fight.

For Josh, it brought back memories of playing at his grandparents’ during the winter breaks from school. His parents were always so quick to send him away so they could enjoy their own Christmas vacation without him. He didn’t mind because his Memaw and Pops were always there for him, spoiling him, giving him the attention and affection that he longed for with his parents. They had lived in northern Oklahoma, and Josh remembered playing in their backyard, building snowmen and even attempting to build an igloo.

After they were all spent, Joan and Sarai fixed everyone steaming mugs of hot chocolate. The children made everyone giggle with their chocolate mustaches. Josh found himself thinking of the vampires. Would they see the snow like the humans did? He had learned each of their backstories. Lexi was the youngest when turned. She often spoke of Samuel, her father, the one who had started all this. She felt guilty; Josh could tell that this whole zombie plague had somehow fallen on her shoulders to blame. He didn’t blame her, instead he pitied her.

There wasn’t a lot left to do. The winter’s chores were different. Josh didn’t send people out for too long to check fences and stand guard. The kids brought out their board games and Joan brought up books for people to read. If Josh had known what was in store for them within the next twenty-four hours, he would’ve taken the time to dig out a book and read something. Or maybe played one more game of Yahtzee.

***

Their CB radio had survived the five years of living at the compound. It was accessible to everyone, but after a time, it was forgotten about. The hope for finding others dissipated as life went on. It stayed a permanent fixture in the kitchen, on the counter closest to the wall.

Josh was sitting at the table with Joan during their free time. Joan had chosen to do word search puzzles while Josh read a book he found in Uncle John’s office. A crackle broke the silence. Josh’s head snapped to attention and Joan’s wide eyes met his. Josh turned his entire body in the chair and looked at the CB radio like it had come alive.

Another crackle, and he stood. Joan did as well and whispered, “I’m going to get the others.” Josh just nodded.

Two more crackles and then a voice, clear as day said, “Hello. This is Lieutenant Lorenzo with the United States military. Is anyone there? Over.”

Joan disappeared as Josh made his way to the radio. He picked up the receiver and cleared his throat. “This is Joshua Crown, I can hear you. Over.”

A few seconds went by and he was about to talk again when the sergeant came back on.

“Good to hear your voice, soldier.”

Josh smiled wide and turned back as the kitchen door clanged open. With Joan were Van, Will, Brendan, and Sarai. He smiled at them and spoke into the radio. “Good to hear yours, too.”

“We are making a call to arms to anyone fit and ready to be drafted. The US and Canada has made a collaborative army with the remaining survivors of the old military. Over.”

“How many are there? Where are y’all located?” Josh’s heart thumped hard against his chest. This was a dream. It had to be. A collaborative army?

“Slow down. All questions will be answered in due time. I promise. If you give us your coordinates, a helicopter will come and pick up members that can join our unit.”

Josh looked wildly at the stunned faces of his family. He motioned for Joan to go grab the coordinates that Uncle John had written down. She left the kitchen in a hurry.

“Okay. I’m having someone go grab them.”

“How many of you are there?”

Josh answered without hesitation, “Five men, four women, and two kids; eleven people altogether.” He purposely left out the vampires. He wasn’t going to mess with that.

The lieutenant let out a whistle, which made the CB screech. “We haven’t found that big of a group in a while.” He paused. “We want only strong, healthy men. No women, not that we’re sexist, but we gotta make sure our race survives. Many of the zombies have died out, but there’s still a fight going on.”

Joan returned with an old notebook, the pages yellowed and edges torn. She shoved it at Josh, and he read the numbers out.

“Okay. We’ll be sending a helicopter out tomorrow bright and early—seven AM. One bag per person is allowed.” He paused. “One last thing, we have a vaccine, to give to all survivors, those joining our fight and those staying behind. See you tomorrow soldier. Over and out.”

Josh stood still frozen to his spot, still holding onto the speaker. By now, everyone was gathered in the kitchen. He looked slowly from one person to the next.

The house was silent for a few moments, and then their celebration started.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Will, Nathan, Josh, and Brendan were the ones that were leaving. They had each made the decision without hesitation, even Brendan, who would be leaving his daughter.

Mari was upset, but at the same time hopeful about the situation. “They’ll take care of you, daddy. I know they will. You know how to fight the dead heads. You guys will be fine.”

Peter wanted to go, but the guys convinced him that he needed to stay put. He wasn’t as young as he thought he was. They wanted at least one male human to stay put with the women and kids. When night fell, the vampires were filled in on the news. They were ecstatic, and a little weary. Their responsibilities were sure to double. They were also worried about their friends going off with no means of communication.

The four men packed a bag and each went to bed early. All except Josh, who stayed up half the night talking to Joan and Peter. He had just been elected to lead and now he was leaving. He asked the two oldest to keep the place running, and they swore they would. Things would have to be tweaked, but Makayla and Van had grown into good hunters. Joan was worried about the collaboration, but Peter suggested desperate times called for desperate measures.

The next morning, everyone was up before the sun. The vampires said their goodbyes and promised to watch after everyone.

Lexi’s face looked tired as she hugged Will and Josh. “Please be careful. I’ve kind of grown fond of you two.”

Van’s face was void of any emotions as they waited for the helicopter to make its way. Will hadn’t hesitated in joining, either, and Josh wondered how that was going to affect the two of them.

They all stood outside, bundled up against the cold. Mari clung to her dad as they saw the chopper approaching.

Josh concentrated on his breathing. They were about to leave to the unknown, and leave the compound. Too many changes had taken place in the last month. They stood on the porch as it landed on to the field. Intense wind attacked them and they shielded away as the chopper finally landed.

Two men jumped out, guns held up, turning all around. Van and Will embraced, and Brendan and Mari hugged. Makayla came up beside Josh and held his hand. He looked at her and she smiled sadly. Without thinking he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Maybe he was wrong about him not leaving anyone behind.

A tall man with dark chocolate skin came up to them. Over the noise of the helicopter blades, he shouted, “I’m Lieutenant Lorenzo!”

Josh offered him his hand. “I’m Josh. We have four that are going.”

“Sounds good! Before we leave, here are the vaccines.” He thrust a small metal container into Josh’s hands.

“Yours are on the heli; these are for the rest of your members.”

Sarai came forward and took the box, pausing to touch Josh’s cheek and give him a quick hug.

When Brendan picked Mari up, Josh remembered that night so many lifetimes ago where he had held her as a child on his doorstep. They had come a long way since that night.

“Alright men, let’s go!”

Nathan followed directly behind Lorenzo and Josh followed. He didn’t cast a backwards glance; he knew that if he did then he would want to stay, back out of whatever the hell it was he had just signed up for. Anxiety riddled every atom inside his body as they loaded up into the helicopter.

“First things first soldiers,” Lorenzo announced as he took out another metal box similar to the one Sarai had taken. He held up a needle with a golden liquid inside.

Josh took one arm out of his coat and tried to roll up his sleeve. When that didn’t work, he took his arm out of shirt, half exposing his chest. The bitter air chilled him to the bone and goose bumps broke out. Lorenzo stabbed him in the arm, the liquid burning as he pressed on the plunger. He gave it a quick wipe and moved on to Will.

“Fuck, that stings!” Will exclaimed.

It was too early for this shit.

***

Forty-five minutes later, they landed at a military base. It appeared deserted from aboveground, but when they landed and exited the chopper, Josh saw just how crowded it was. A strange NASE symbol was on all the uniforms and buildings.

They ushered the new recruits inside a dark painted building. The bricks looked newer than anything Josh had seen in years. Even though they kept up with things at the compound, materials still deteriorated. Rotting or breaking off, jagged from ghetto fixing.

Lorenzo led them to a brightly-lit room and motioned for them to sit on the metal bleachers. He stood in front of them, busying himself with the projector. It was an old projector, the kind Josh’s elementary classrooms used to have. It pointed to a pulled-down screen.

“Okay, I know y’all have a lot of questions and we are here to answer them. First things first. You all have been vaccinated with the Z1 vaccine. It will prevent you from turning if bitten by a zombie. Scientists began working on it as soon as the shit hit the fan. Years later, we had a successful one.”

Josh shuddered to think of the number of possible failures and how that testing had went about.

“Second,” Lorenzo continued. “We will need complete medical histories from all of you. We are not as strict as past military branches, but we do want healthy and fit men out there helping us fight the good fight. So fill out these forms that my sergeant is handing out and get them back to me ASAP.”

He paused and took a deep breath, clicking the remote that was in his hands. A picture of a zombie filled the screen. It was a dated picture, one when the plague first took place. The rotting face didn’t come close to how the dead heads looked present day.

“We all know what has happened. Somehow the dead mutated into the living dead. The shit straight from TV and our nightmares. The world has been at war for five years now. We are finally getting back to where we need to be. We
must
keep it that way, though. Since travel across seas has been suspended, the virus was mainly confined to North America. There were reports in the northern part of South America, but that’s another story.

“What was left of all branches of the United States military formed an alliance with Canada to create a special branch of our own in this new world. We are the North American Survivors Elite or NASE for short. To date, we have eradicated most major cities of the zombies, with the exception of the West Coast ones. Each of you, after your training, will be sent off to one of the cities in that area to help eliminate the Zs there.

“It’s obvious you guys know how to survive. We haven’t run across a survivor camp as large as yours in a while. So in advance, I thank each of you. We will win and begin to rebuild this country to what it used to be.”

He clicked another button and slideshow began on the screen. Dozens of images flashed across the projector screen; soldiers fighting the zombies, rescuing people from abandoned buildings and homes. 

They showed one clip where a huge pile of carcasses rose into the sky. All zombies. Josh felt hope for the first time in a long time.

Maybe they would live to see the world start again.