For A Few Corpses More - Pt. 13

  Dine had taken over driving, better at dodging stalled vehicles and debris in the road. Pierce had switched to the back, laying down for a quick nap while they finished the seventy-six mile trek. It took him a moment to get comfortable back there, wondering how long the now beheaded ghoul had lain back there in waiting. He kept thinking he could smell it. It bothered him. He wasn’t feeling well though and sleep overpowered his uncomfortable situation.

               Nyx and Bronson were sitting in the middle. They had already checked their weapons, twice. There had been a small discussion between the conscious three about the best way to get into the city undetected by human or walker, get what they needed to and go. Now Nyx found herself wishing someone had brought a deck of cards or that she still kept a diary, like she used to when they would go planet side. Washington state had beautiful scenery, but something took away the scenic nature with the dead bodies along the road every few miles and destruction in some areas.

               She would usually bother Bronson, pester him with some conversation that was on her mind or make him share a story. If she didn’t do this he would just sit over there quietly contemplating what was to come, possibilities, and the past. She didn’t feel comfortable doing this with Dine and Pierce there though. There was nothing to do now but wait and realize the situation they were likely about to walk into. City’s were dangerous and as the sights along the side of the road changed it was evident they were getting closer. 

               “Wake Pierce up, we’re getting close,” Dine ordered. “I’m going to look for a safe place to stash our transport.”

               Bronson reached back and shook his leg, “let’s go, Pierce.”

               There was a strip of shops next to an old firehouse where the fire engine hung half out the door, a burned out husk now. Just past that was a gas station. The large faded yellow and green BP sign had fallen over and the glass on the front of the store had been broken out. There were two large eighteen wheelers in the parking lot that had crashed into each other. The sight looked like an accordion, a large amount of dried blood on the front and side of the crushed white truck cab.

               Dine pulled up facing the two trucks, hoping to make the SUV look like it had been a part of the wreckage for a while. Pierce rubbed his eyes and popped the back hatch open, the others piled out after him, weapons ready. Hand signals from the captain sent the squad into different directions, a quick search of the grounds. Each person spread out then came back, reporting nothing.

               “Alright, let’s get inside and start looking. Bronson, Pierce, get us gas for the two cans in the back. Nyx and I are on supplies.”

               Bronson nodded and grabbed the two large red plastic containers from the back. They had used the majority of the gas that was stolen with Griffin’s ride.

               “I’ll go check if the pumps are on, see what we can get,” Pierce told Bronson before heading inside after Dine and Nyx.

               Bronson took the two canisters over towards the pumps as the wind picked up. He pulled his rifle off of his shoulder and used the scope to look around. He could see Ephrata from where they were, there were some taller buildings and the tips of a few others, nothing too spectacular.

               Dine pushed open the metal frame of the shattered glass door that lead into the gas station. The smell inside was not as stale thanks to the broken glass, but it was still noticeable. There were two dead bodies near the front, one a twice dead corpse with dried blood and torn flesh on its teeth. The top of the bald skull had been bashed in by something blunt, blood splatter across the white linoleum floor showed how violent a second death it had been. The second individual was an older African American who hadn’t died as a ghoul, a gunshot to the side of his head left him dead with a shocked expression streaked across his face.

               The cash register was ajar, the tray hanging out of the drawer, tilted up. Change was scattered across the floor with broken glass and a bag of Pringles that had burst open. Dine watched the line of small black insects march past his size twelve boot, at least the ants were getting to eat.

               Pierce came in behind them and paused, looking at the sight before going behind the counter.

               “Looks like a robbery,” he said, flipping the switches for the gas pumps. “I guess it isn’t enough to just have to worry about the dead, huh?”

               Neither Dine nor Nyx responded, they were already looking through the few items that were left on the bare shelves, looking for anything that was salvageable. Most of the food and drinks had been taken or opened there on the spot. There was no beer or soda to speak of and all of the bottled water had been taken. Nyx found one bag of peanuts and an eighteen year old Dr. Pepper that had rolled underneath one of the sets of metal shelves. Dine had less luck, finding only a small box of matches and two unopened condoms that promised ultra pleasure. Dine pocketed the matches and Nyx offered him the peanuts in jest, they ended up back on the floor. 

               “No water at all,” Nyx said. “I’ll check the faucet outside but I’m pretty sure that will be a no, the plumbing hasn’t had upkeep in close to twenty years.”

               Dine nodded, “you go do that.”

               “As for food, I know we didn’t expect to find anything here really. There’s almost nothing that would survive this long, but still, was worth the look.”

               “Bronson was right,” Dine admitted begrudgingly, “we will either have to hunt, forage, or steal someone else’s food. We may end up having to take our chances with some of the local flora though.”

               Nyx nodded and headed out to check the water faucets, with no luck. Bronson was there to give her and Pierce the bad news about the empty tanks as well.

               “Dry,” was his only comment on them.

               Dine stepped out of the gas station, his forearm wiping sweat from his brow. Hot, even though it was barely mid-morning. This was one of those days where the sun as harsh as the scientists had warned them. It wasn’t looking good.

               “Pierce, Bronson, each of you grab a can. Nyx, you get some of those empty plastic bottles out of here to put water in, in case we find any. Let’s be walking in two minutes people.”

               No one argued with the commands, they simply acted upon them. The group was ready to go, walking down the hot paved road towards Ephrata, Washington.

               As the city got closer things became quieter, a deadly quiet. The further in they went the more abandoned cars and corpses they came across. Twenty years of age and wear thrusts upon them. There were no sounds from animals and the tall buildings blocked out the wind from where they were coming in. Bronson had trouble not imagining the sounds of a busy city, even though he hadn’t heard that in decades. Broken glass crunched underneath their boots. Nyx coughed. She covered her mouth as the smell of the dead city hit them.

               “I see two gas stations up ahead. If those don’t give you anything check these cars around here, they’ll be gas somewhere.” Dine pointed at Bronson and Pierce with two fingers and motioned them to go. “Nyx and I will look around for anything else and make sure there won’t be any surprises.”

               Bronson nodded and drew his .45; red metal gas can in his other hand. Looking to Pierce he motioned that he would lead the way. Pierce pulled his gray baseball cap down tight on his head. He was shielding his eyes, even though the sun was currently hidden behind the tall buildings and slow moving clouds. Pierce held the other gas canister in his right hand, his left resting lazily on the gun that rested at his side, hanging off his shoulder with the brown strap. He followed behind Bronson, happy to let him take the lead into the unknown.

               “So what do we do,” Nyx asked as she checked her MP5.

               “Keep an eye on them and out for threats.”

               “Sounds fun,” she said sarcastically with a smirk.

               “I can give you a hose and let you suck gas out of cars if you’d rather do that.”

               “I think I’ll go check these buildings up ahead, sir.”

               From the view up above it looked as if the group was playing pong. Bronson and Pierce moved through the center in a straight line as they zig-zagged back and forth between gas stations and cars that weren’t too damaged. Nyx had taken to the left flank and Dine to the right, watching their sides. The four made sure that they were constantly in eye line of each other.

               Unknown to the group, someone was enjoying their show, greatly amused. Sitting on the roof of the old bank building, Marcus hung his legs over the side letting them sway back and forth freely in the strong gusts of wind. He had no worry of falling. His irritation had been in trying to get the cigarette lit earlier that he was now sucking the last bit of life out of. His hand moved slowly with a pain in it, old bones and disfigured fingers that had dried blood under the fingernails. The smoke that he exhaled was rushed off briskly. He flicked the butt off the top of the building with a a thumb and forefinger thrust.

               His show was leaving him, getting too far away into the city. Marcus stood with a groan and closed his eyes, listening. His hands outstretched as the wind beat against him in his Christ-like pose. He was listening to something no one else could hear. There were two figures standing behind him but he didn’t turn to look at them when he gave his commands.

               “Go on, take care of them.”

               The two figures slowly made their way through the metal door on the roof and down the fourteen flights of steps, leaving Marcus alone on the roof. His eyes hindered him. Mouth open, he tasted, smelled, and heard the city around him. He knew who was in his city and was interested to see what they were doing here.

              

               “Okay,” Bronson announced. “I think we’re full up.”

               Pierce nodded in agreement, holding his gas can that was full from the various cars they were able to siphon from and the last bit at the Chevron gas station on the corner of the intersection where they now stood. Bronson had filled his up almost to the top, convinced that Dine would think it was enough. They had spent over an hour in the city now, which to Bronson was too long for comfort. It was still so quiet there, it felt unnatural.

               “Think they’ve found anything?”

               “No,” Bronson said flatly, “they’ve been too busy keeping an eye on us and each other.”

               “Why? I don’t think we’re in any trouble.”

               Bronson shot Pierce a look that said enough, it questioned his intelligence.

               “Don’t you do this for a living,” Bronson didn’t wait for an answer to his question. “We should have run into at least one ghoul now, some. Hell, a city this size should be crawling with walkers.”

               Pierce stopped and looked around.

               “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

               Bronson narrowed his gaze at his companion slightly.

               “Are you alright? You look sick, you’re sweating and the sun hasn’t been out that much.”

               “Yeah, I’m fine,” Pierce shot back, “Just stressing a bit, ready to get out of here. I feel like, you know, this has been a lot rougher than it should have been. We just need to hurry, you know?”

               Bronson didn’t respond, he just stared at him for a moment as his mind took in what Pierce had said, analyzing everything. He was pondering a question, something to settle his mind, depending on Pierce’s answer. Nyx and Dine were approaching though and he thought it better to hold off. The grouped met next to a bus stop bench on one of the corners.

               “We full up,” Dine questioned, but he could smell the gasoline already.

               “Good to go, depending on the LZ location we shouldn’t need anymore for the rest of the trip.”

               Pierce nodded quickly, agreeing with Bronson. Dine was looking around the intersection, hand squeezing the grip on his rifle.

               “I suggest we start making our way out.”

               “Right,” Dine agreed with Bronson.

               “Did you want to check out any of these other buildings,” Nyx asked. “I doubt we’ll find any water or anything but maybe some first aid kits or something.”

               Dine wasn’t trying to dismiss her question but something had been nagging at him. He looked at Bronson.

               “How odd is it that we haven’t seen anyone here? I thought the files said most of these bigger cities were overrun with walkers. Did we just luck out?”

               “I doubt it.”

               “What are the chances of the pipes here still working?” Dine pointed to the near-by fire hydrant as he asked his question.

               “How clean would it be,” Nyx wondered.

               “We need to boil whatever we find.”

               Appropriately, Pierce had pulled out his water bottle and had taken the last drink from the container. Dine was focused on the hydrant, his fist clenching and shaking slightly. Bronson back up from him as Dine reared back. The captain’s boot flew at a downward angle and struck the side of the hydrant near the hanging small metal chain. There were two clanking sounds as the hub was dislodged and fell before bouncing off of the street corner. Water, precious water leaked out the sides with nothing else following. There was a moment of disappointment for all four individuals that watched. Before it could fully set in though the open hole of the hydrant began to surge and sputter as brown dirtied water exploded out in a low arch into the street. Hope restored, it looked like the water was starting to clear into a cleaner fresher liquid, but the slow stopped abruptly with only a series of gurgles in the pipes, like a burp after a big dinner.

               “Well, guess that’s our answer,” Pierce said.

               Dine nodded, “was worth a shot.” His hand was still shaking slightly. He waved it a bit loosely in the air and stretched out the muscles. “We should get going, look for a natural source.”

               Nyx turned to ask Bronson something but stopped abruptly when she saw that he had sat down the gas canister and his rifle was raised. He had it pointed up and was staring down the scope intently.

               “What’s going on,” She asked in a low tone.

               “Someone’s watching us.”                                                                    

               Dine, having overheard Bronson’s warning, brought his assault rifle up to his shoulder with the barrel still pointed at a downward angle. Nyx was reaching for her MP5 to bring the strap from around her neck when she saw something moving out of the corner of her eye. Over there, by the three abandoned cars, next to the red Honda with the shattered back window. She was sure she had seen a head bobbing between them.

               “Hey, guys….”

               “Shhh,” Dine ordered, trying to check the rooftops with Bronson but without the use of a scope.

               “No, really,” she insisted. “I think we’re surrounded.”

               Pierce had been slow to draw his weapon, the red container of gas still in one hand and his weapon in his other, still balanced on his shoulder. He was the first though to agree with Nyx. Off on the other side of the intersection, in the shadow of one of the taller buildings, he saw two figures standing still near the wall that he hadn’t noticed before—a third, or was there a fourth—they had been surrounded. Pierce let a word out that was mumbled and incoherent but it served its purpose as he pointed in front of him. Dine and Nyx saw them all now.

               “Fuck,” Dine grunted, “we have a lot of company, form up.”

               Bronson was still checking the rooftops. He knew what he saw and was convinced he would see it again any second now.

               “Bronson, I need you on point. Get us out of here and headed back to our transport, double time.”

               “We’ve got bigger problems. These things were everywhere, and they were hiding.”

               Dine checked his magazine and quickly readied the weapon again, taking aim at the ghoul closest on his side. More were popping up now from behind the cars and out of the different buildings. They were coming from everywhere. It was to the point that it almost looked, organized.

               “Let’s theorize about what happened later, live first.”

Dine popped off the first shot, it ripped through the air and burst through the back of what used to be an old woman’s skull. Blood and brain bits splattered against the windshield of a broken down yellow Gremlin. He knew it was a mistake as soon as the trigger was pulled, there were too many of them. The living dead were still pouring out of the buildings, a few even coming up from the sewers, and that bullet had been like the starting gun fired at the beginning of a very short race. The mob of undead ghouls was charging towards them now.

“I really need your head in the right place,” Dine yelled at Bronson.

Reluctantly, Bronson slung his rifle back over his shoulder. He was frustrated. Like lightning, his .45 was drawn as his free hand came across the hammer flat, pulling it back. Like Dine though, Bronson realized the futility of their situation. He picked up the gas can in his free hand, checking each side with a glance as he did.

“We can use the gas,” Pierce shouted out his suggestion.

“So we can deal with walkers that are on fire?”

Bronson’s comment was sharp. He didn’t really have anything better though.

“We run,” Bronson raised his .45 and shot to his right at the blonde with blood covering her face. “Dine, you and Pierce have the heavy weapons. Make us a path up this street.”

Dine hesitated. Pierce didn’t want to turn around, too afraid that one of the ghouls behind him would jump at him when his back was turned.

“Now!”

Dine’s thumb pushed the small metal switch on his rifle. The pointed flipped from it’s upward position near the word ‘semi’ down to ‘auto’. The sound of the bullets firing rapidly from the extended barrel of the rifle that was based off of the old M18 design rang out into the air over the groaning chants of the dead. Pierce finally spun around and using one hand fired from the hip, a spray of bullets across the wall of corpses in front of them. Nyx pulled the MP5 in tighter. It didn’t have the stopping power their weapons did. She released several bullets, headshots, doing her best to make every shot count. She and Bronson guarded the sides—it wasn’t going to be enough though.

“Just keep going,” Bronson yelled, Dine chimed in to hurry them. “Go! Go!”

It was almost a close quarter fight now, stuck in between the cars, debris, and now countless corpses. Dine and Pierce had to watch their fire. Nyx had pulled out her pistol, still aiming just for their heads.

Bronson leveled his .45 at the head of one of the ghouls. The bullet ripped through taking a chunk of bone with it as it plunged into the other walker behind him.

“Reloading,” Bronson warned his team.

His hand jerked to the side after the release was hit, letting the cylinder fall. Spent shells fell from the chambers as the figure of a young man with dark skin lunged at him. Striking the ghoul with the butt of his gun he rolled away across the hood of the near-by card. Landing, he dropped the red gas container on the pavement and pulled the speed loader from his belt and inserted the new ammo, quickly having to expend two of his six shots right afterwards. He retrieved the gas can without looking down at it.

“This isn’t working,” Dine yelled as he reached the bottom of his clip. “Reloading!”

“Not the best time to argue strategies,” Nyx said as she popped one of the walkers in the cheekbone with her 9mm, kicking it away from her afterwards.

Bronson jumped up on the car in front of them, he could see an end to the horde of undead. He looked back waving them forward. Pierce caught his eye though as he fired into the crowd of corpses. Hands reached out and grabbed at him, towards him at least. He only had one hand on his weapon, the other still holding the gas canister. The hands the wrapped their decrepid fingers around his gun pulled, their strip ripping it from his grasp. His hand flailed in front of him, trying to grab hold of the strap that had been yanked from his shoulders.

“MOVE!”

Bronson wasn’t sure if he had ever yelled that loud in his life. He was worried, he saw what was happening and it made no sense at all. He fired his revolver into the crowd twice again, two corpses fell in front of him..

Nyx swung the MP5 up in her left hand and pulled the trigger down hard, the spray was much more uncontrolled this time as she fired with the 9mm from her right hand. She was trying to follow Bronson, who had left off of the car and struck one of the ghouls, who was a small child when they were alive, over the head with the metal gas can hard. She could see the end of the crowd but wasn’t sure if they would make it. Nyx knew her clip was low, they were so much closer now and it was hard to see with all of the blood that had splattered onto her face.

Pierce was scared when they took his rifle. He backed up, bumping into Dine. He drew his 9mm quickly and fired three frantic shots, wanting to keep them away. Dine was pushing on his shoulder, yelling for him to go. Everything was moving around him and Pierce already didn’t feel well. He was becoming overwhelmed. He tried to step back and stumbled, falling back on the gas can. He felt a sharp pain in his back.

Looking up, there were two ghouls staring down at him hungrily licking their decayed lips. He could see Dine behind him when he turned his head quickly, dealing with his own problems, shells falling around him as he tried to keep them back. Pierce thought this was the end. He had already been bitten, he would not have been able to get through the scanners and chemical showers anyway in decontamination. He had thought there would have been more time to think of a way through. There were rumors of a few infected people that hadn’t been bit too badly that were cleaned up. The disease took a while to kill you, and you didn’t start trying to eat your friends until post mortem.

He had his pistol but he didn’t know how many shots were left. He’d take at least one more of them with him though, if that really meant anything. There was something that stuck in his mind though; how bad was it that his last thought was going to be about the money he wouldn’t get paid for this, all of that money they promised him.