Posts Tagged ‘Liz’

Closed Doors – Part 2

Posted: October 21, 2017 in Book I Terror in Texas
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“Yes, accident,” She said firmly. “Time to isolate the sick, no matter who they are. If someone fails to get up and you don’t get a vocal response, take precautions. That’s all we’re asking. The man involved in this incident had a snake bit. He didn’t tell anyone, and neither did his wife. He died and attacked his family.”

“You mean that could happen to any of us?” One of the Goodman women asked.

Will answered. “As terrible as that sounds, yes. It’s important to take care of each other, so come to the clinic, so illnesses and injured are treated.”

Liz realized why her bedroom door had been closed when anyone left and why they always knocked and waited for her to respond before entering. She covered her bulging middle. What would happen to her baby? Was she sick because she was pregnant and was it because of the virus? With a wave of dizziness, Liz slipped into a chair at the side of the room. After a couple deep breaths, she calmed and looked around the room. She realized she didn’t know most of the people. There were two distinct groups. Each crowd clustered together acting more than a little suspicious of the other. She recognized Pablo, Miguel and their extended family and gave the women a quick nod and smile of recognition. Elaina and her mother, Maria whispered at Pablo and Miguel. Both men turned toward Liz and smiled. They turned back to the assembly, their faces still looked.

The goat rancher, dressed in overalls, sat next to a graying woman with the two younger men, and women approximately that appeared to be the younger generation. Two teenagers sat on the other side of the gray-haired lady. Randy stood next to Liz’s father. Not far from him, sat John and Harry.

Will raised his hands to quiet the assembly then continued. “Now that we’ve settled that, let’s work on setting some priorities. I realize we still don’t have enough folks to do everything we need to get done yet, but for now, we’ll do the best we can. Safety and becoming self-sufficient is the two most important tasks at hand. Planting the new gardens need to be done by the end of the week to take advantage of the remaining growing season. At the same time, we need to finish fencing the goat pen back at the Goodman cabins.”

Mr. Goodman stood up. “Me and mine can work on it. I ‘magine two days and we’ll be finished. The wife and girls are milking twice a day. We’ll keep what we need and bring the rest up here. You can pass it along with who you want. I got a spot picked out to put in our own garden…”

Will interrupted. “Sam, this is a community effort, I think you seem to be missing that point, here. You and I obviously need to discuss individual efforts, but for now, let’s move on.” He turned to Randy and nodded.

Randy began. “We still have to try to gather livestock and supplies while we can. We’re not the only people trying to create a secure stronghold to live. As time goes along, more and more infected will leave the cities and make it more dangerous out there. As people get more desperate out there, some groups will be raiding others to survive.”

“What makes you think the government won’t get this under control. Early on, there were reports of the CDC working on a cure.” Glenn Goodman interrupted.

“Have you heard something I don’t know about? We’ve had a couple people monitoring communication channels and the Internet. Unless you know some other means of communications, we don’t.” Will asked.

“Well….” Glenn mumbled.

Closed Doors – Part 1

Posted: October 16, 2017 in Book I Terror in Texas
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Liz descended the stairs to the great room to a cacophony of voices from the dining room. Some voices were raised and sounded angry. She made her way to the front desk to hear voices of a meeting taking place in the dining room. From the size of the gathering, she imagined all the adults in the canyon compound were present. Liz leaned against the check-in desk to catch her breath. She grimaced at her own weakness but refused to let it deter her. Liz made her way to the door and stopped.

Will Edmonds voice rose above the din. “Everyone has to contribute, and that’s the bottom line. Your herd of goats produces milk, and that means we all benefit from it. But that can’t be your only contribution. At some point, the goats will need to become part of the food supply chain in a more meaningful way.”

An unfamiliar voice countered. “When we agreed to come, we didn’t know it was going to mean moving into a socialist state. You can’t just take our livestock to feed a bunch of Mexicans.”

“Young man, you have been given a safe haven, homes for your family, your brother’s family, your parents, and younger siblings. Did you expect to show up and contribute nothing?”

“Our livestock is not community property.” The young man protested.

“Shut up, Glenn!” A gravelly voice interrupted. “Son, you’re making an ass outta yourself.” After a brief grumble, the older man continued. “What you have outlined sounds reasonable as long as the herd size maintains numbers for healthy breeding stock. We’re grateful for the offer of a safe place to raise our families. As for the suggestion concerning closing all bedroom doors at night, I can see the wisdom in such an action.”

Cassie added. “From what we’ve found on the Internet we know the virus has mutated since the initial attack and become an airborne pollutant that spread far beyond the initial attacks. There are now reports of people dying of natural causes and reanimating well away from the initial attacks. Considering that, if we each follow this simple rule, we can stop accidents like we had a few days ago.”

“Accident? You call that an accident?” Another voice protested. “Three people died.”

New Beginning – Part 2

Posted: September 1, 2017 in Book I Terror in Texas
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“Hey, about time you woke up.” Harry chided Liz as he rushed toward the bed with Cody and Emma close on his heels.

“Miss Lizzy, we’ve been waiting for you to wake up. We got a house to live in. It has running water and a toilet and everything.” Emma announced.

Liz looked at her father.

“The kids wanted to stay with Harry and John. We put them in the cabin south of the barn. It’s the one with two bedrooms downstairs. We put twin beds in the loft.” Will added.

Liz looked at Harry and John. Both men were cleaner than she had ever seen them. Harry had trimmed his beard but still wore a do-rag on his head with gray hair neatly bound with a band at the nape of his neck. John was clean shaven and looked relaxed for the first time since she had met him.

“I got a full belly.” Cod patted her rounded middle then asked in all seriousness, “Are you getting better?”

“I can see that.” Liz smiled at the brother and sister. “I’m doing the best I can. Are you two doing alright now?”

“We’re good.” Answered Cody with a hesitant smile. “We have lights at the house. We get to eat a lot.”

“They got horses. Did you know they have horses?” Emma said excitedly.

“No.” Liz smiled. “I guess that is a new addition.” She looked to Will.

“Lots of things have changed.” Will chuckled.

Cassie interrupted. “All right. Everyone move along. My patient needs her rest.”

When the room cleared out, Cassie started to walk away, but Liz called her name. “A minute, please.”

Cassie turned. “Sure.” She forced a smile.

“Now, I want to know what you’re trying not to tell me.”

Cassie squared her shoulders. “Best case scenario is appendicitis; worse case, a tubal pregnancy.” She whispered. “Either way, I’m not a surgeon.”

“But you have medical training.”

“Sure, I can perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat the common cold, set bones, and monitor patients, but that’s a far cry from being qualified for doing surgeries,” Cassie protested.

Liz sighed, “I guess you’re continuing education will have a steep learning curve.”

“Try to rest. The antibiotics you’re receiving seems to be resolving the current issue. Let’s pray it’s not something that needs surgery.” Cassie closed the door to the hall then added. “Someone will be in the next room. Just ring the bell if you need something.” She stepped into the next room and came back with a cup. “If you keep the ice chips down, I’ll bring some clear broth in an hour or so.”

Liz spent another day in the ward then talked Cassie into removing the IV and letting her move to her two-room suite on the second floor. The main room included a queen-sized bed and a small sitting room. The second room was once used by the Amy and Claire. It still held Claire’s baby bed and two twin beds and small chest f toys. When she saw Liz look longingly at the reminder of her lost children, Cassie closed the door to the second room.

The terrible abdominal pain had disappeared, and everyone including Liz crossed their fingers and prayed the antibiotics had resolved the problem. She spent two days staring at the wall, then on the third day she got up bright and early and put on clothes that she had left at the Lodge. She cinched the belt at her waist and decided it was enough to keep her pants up. She pulled on a t-shirt that had belonged to Brian. They had always been an oversized, but now they really seemed big. She walked out of the bedroom and crossed the balcony to the curving stairs where she met Cassie.

“Well, I guess this means you’re feeling better,” Cassie said.

Home – Part 1

Posted: May 19, 2017 in Book I Terror in Texas
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Harry watched Randy slow as they crested a hill. “Guess this is the place. He mentioned stopping and picking up a few more people.”

“Looking like more than just a few. Four vehicles included two large extended-cab pickups with trailers, a suburban and SUV.” John shrugged.

Harry glanced up at Cody in the rearview mirror. “Has she moved?”

Cody moved his head from left to right. “No, sir. She’s still sleeping. My sister is sitting with her, sir.”

John turned to Harry. “I told you, I checked her. Looks like she’s sleeping.”

“She ain’t been right since the ambush. I’ve seen her favoring her side when she thought no one was looking. I hope her ol’ man’s place isn’t far.” Harry answered.

“Randy’s motioning the trucks to move out. Hold back. Looks like we’ve got four more vehicles coming with us.”

Harry pulled to the side to allow Pablo to pull up next to the camper. Harry gave a careless wave. “Picking up a few friends.”

Pablo laughed. “Sí. Y cabras, goats.”

John chuckled. “Makes sense. Goats can live on limited forage and can provide meat and milk. Smart.”

“What we’re attacked or someone tries to follow us?” Hugo asked.

Pablo shrugged. “Señor Randy say we shot them.”

Hugo shrugged. “Sí.”

Pablo nodded toward the last vehicle as it pulled onto the highway. “Señor?”

“Yeah. Got it.” Harry slid the camper into gear and pulled the camper out to follow the last vehicle.

Harry followed the trailer for another ten miles then saw Randy lead the caravan into a turn. When Harry got to the turnoff, he guided the camper across a cattle guard onto what looked like a fire road. It was a gravel trail that was little more than a cattle path. He glanced at the side mirror and saw Pablo pull across the ground gate and stopped.Hugo stepped out of the truck and stepped into the brush and pulled several dried branches from the roadside. He shoved several tree-looking pieces of the brush into the cattle guard. Once that was done, he used two more lengths of the brush to obscure the tracks of the vehicles that had just passed. He tied a rope on each limb and tied the end of the line to the back of the truck. He hurried back to the cab and the truck followed.

The caravan spent another two hours winding through scrub oaks, rock formations and a terrain that got steadily more rugged. Canyon walls gradually grew up from the rough landscape in the distance. Soon, the vehicles were swallowed by the wilds of Guadalupe National Park.

Harry growled as the camper bucked and rolled at yet another dry gully crossing. “Damned road sucks. I wonder how much longer.”

John pointed at a building in the distance.  It was not what he had expected. As they drew closer, he could see a large log structure on a distant hill. The lodge was a two story log structures with a metal roof of forest green. Additional buildings could be seen through the stands of trees. On either side of the trees in the distance could be seen the towering faces of the canyon.

“So this is it. Pine Springs.” John whispered.

Last Call – Part 1

Posted: August 27, 2016 in Book I Terror in Texas
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Harry steered the camper in a wide half circle around debris in the parking lot and guided the vehicle to the fueling island of the abandoned station.  The front of the vehicle faced the town. Randy and Pablo parked the two trucks close enough fuel up as well.

Harry glanced over his shoulder.  “Cody, I need you and your sister to keep an eye out that back window.  You see anything at all moving, you give us a heads up.”

Trace jumped up. “We can do that.”  She pulled at her brother’s arm. “Come on. We can watch together.”

“Sure.”  Cody answered flatly.

Liz clutched at her back as she followed Harry and John out of the camper. “He’s having a hard time.” Harry grunted as way of an answer so Liz continued. “I think it would help if you would spend some time with him.”

“I’ll try, but ain’t never had kids.  Don’t know what good I’d do.”  Harry answered.

“Dr. Phil, let’s get this done.” John commented as he headed toward the access port.

“Fine. But think about it.” Liz turned around and stepped back in the camper. “Pass the adapter through the window when you’re ready.

He dropped the pump to the ground and used the tool they had found on a fuel truck to open the cover over the tank access.  He pulled a string with three silver dollar sized washer tied to the end from his pocket.  He dropped the washers into the hole and spooled out the string counting the knots as he unwound the string.  He felt the hesitation when the washer hit the fuel and again when it hit the bottom.

“About half full.”

He wound up the string and dropped the hose into the hole.  He hooked up the pump to a second hose.  Harry picked up the end carried it to camper.  He opened the fuel cover on the camper and poured a bottle of fuel stabilizer into the tank. Harry glanced over his shoulder.

“Liz, plug in the pump.”

Pablo and Mario, Pablo’s son, each carried automatic weapons to edge of the back of the trio of vehicles.  Pablo stopped at the back of the camper while Mario made his way further down the street.  The small electrical motor chugged gallon after gallon of the precious fuel into the camper.  After nearly five minutes, the gas tank of the camper burped fuel across Harry’s hand and called out.

“Off!”

John turned off the pump and Harry carried the hose to the truck Randy had been driving. He stuck the hose in the tank and called out order to turn the pump on again.

Randy led Miguel across the street to the vet clinic.  It was a small brick building with two waist high windows in front and a glass door.  There was a small fenced area at the side. All the while, Randy scanned the street for any movement.

“Where are the people?”  Miguel asked. “There should be at least a few signs of people or the infected around.”

Randy grunted his agreement. “Yeah. I don’t like it.”

When they stepped up to the glass door, Randy tapped on the glass with the crook of a crowbar. They looked into the gloom of the building and saw only shadows and hints of a reception desk.

Randy slid the end of the crowbar between the door and facing.  Leaning into the bar, there was a pop and the door pulled free of the door jam.  He held the door with his elbow and caught a whiff of death.  A low growl from inside make both men halt.

“Shit.”  Randy growled. “A dog. They left animals to starve.”

“What are we going to do?”

“Let’s do this.”  Randy said as he flicked on his LED light and moved deeper into the recesses of the office.  He noticed four doors across the back wall.  A sad whimper could be heard from behind one of the doors. Randy started at the right and opened the first door a crack.  He saw the white shadow of a toilet and closed the door.

Randy glanced at Miguel and he moved his head from left to right. “Exam room.” He mouthed.

Randy moved to the next door while Miguel did the same.  Nodding at Miguel, Randy waited to see what he would find.

“Same.” Miguel announced. “They each have a door to the back.

“Okay, this had to go to the back room.” Randy whispered.  “Follow me.”

Randy opened the door and the stench of urine, feces and death was overpowering.  The back room was as massive open space divided by function.  Along the left wall was cages; three for large dogs, three for medium size dogs and six for small pets.  Three of the cages held bodies. The door stood open on one of the large cages.  The cage was empty. Along the right wall was the medical cabinets, surgical table and a number of machines.

“Shit.” Randy cursed as a low growl emanated from the shadows.

Strength In Numbers – Part 2

Posted: July 9, 2016 in Book I Terror in Texas
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John poked at the dying fire. “They blocked off some streets, kinda random like.  We didn’t suspect a thing.  They strung cable across the street low down.  I think it was supposed to catch up in the wheels of a regular vehicle and stop it. Instead, it threw us for a loop.  We managed to pick up a couple guns and packs off the bikes and limp off. We made it to the edge of town and hung out at the camper lot until Jack and his kids broke in. I think they were running from the same people that attacked us.”

John continued. “There was a dead fuck in the cashier’s booth with a case of water and a couple candy bars.  The kids hadn’t eaten in a couple days and were hungry. The kid’s father broke in and got bit.”

“That’s tough.” Randy answered as he rose. “Well folks, let’s get some rest, we got a big day tomorrow.”

Randy led the caravan of three vehicles to the hill overlooking Dell City. It wasn’t much of a town. Main Street was barely half a dozen blocks long. At one end of town sat the school, a small drug store and Quick Stop while at the other was t veterinary clinic, a single island gas station and Rosita’s Cafe advertising fry bread and taquitos, in between a dozen or so houses and empty store fronts and a couple metal buildings.

Vehicles were stopped haphazardly up and down the streets.  In the distance they could see, a heavy duty truck had been driven straight into the side of the school.  There were neither people or infected on the streets. The small town was eerily quiet.

Randy, Harry and Miguel met in front of Randy’s truck.  “Where is everyone?” Harry asked in a hushed whisper.

“I don’t see a soul. This can’t be good.” John added.

“I don’t know if we’re lucky or not with the vet and gas station across from each other.” Harry commented.

“We’ll go to the veterinary office while you gas up that gas guzzler first. You roll into the station and with your crew. Pablo and his son will keep watch.” Randy announced.

“Sounds good. After we fill up, we’ll get inside the store and see what we can salvage.” Harry added.

Strength in Numbers

Posted: July 4, 2016 in Book I Terror in Texas
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Liz clung to Randy. “You don’t know how glad I am to see you.” Liz whispered. “My father? Is he alive?”

Randy laughed. “That old goat is just fine.” He stepped back to get a better look. “You’re skinny as hell, but at least you’re alive! So glad to see you and the girls got off the base. Where are they?”

Liz leaned into his arms. “They’re gone.” She sobbed against his chest. “I couldn’t save them.” Her knees buckled and she collapsed.

Randy held her limp body and reached under Liz’s legs and pulled her into his arms. She hung there, limp as a dishrag. Randy looked to Harry and John for an explanation.

“What in the hell is she talking about? What’s wrong with her?” Randy demanded.

“It’s a long story. I think she exhausted and then add worry about the kids. We’ve been on the road since the day this shit happened.” Harry answered. “Let’s take her into the camper to lie down then we can talk.”

Randy made a curt nod then followed the two strangers toward the camper. On the way, he nodded at Miguel. “Take the trucks back to that stand of Pin Oaks down the road and set up camp.  Leave room for the camper to pull alongside. Be sure to use a Dakota Fire.  I don’t want the fire being seen after dark.  We don’t know who’s out there looking to pinpoint survivors.”

“Sí, Senor Randy.” Miguel answered then jogged back to the other three men standing at the vehicles.

John stepped into the camper and called out. “It’s okay kids. Come on out.”

Cody and Trace appeared in the back bedroom doorway looking a little like deer in headlights.

“These are friends of Ms. Lizzy’s. Come sit down so we can put her in the bed.”

“Is she dead?”  Trace asked.

“Harry laughed. “No. Of course not. She’s just not feeling well and really tired.”

John added. “She’ll be right as rain, soon enough.”

Randy deposited Liz in the bed and after taking the time to lay a damp cloth on her forehead, walked to the sitting area at the front of the camper.

“My names Harry Walters, this is John Tilman. Lizzy has had a tough time of it.” Harry began. “She told us about her dad’s place up in the mountains. I take it you know each other.”

Randy nodded.  “Couple years now. What happened to the girls?  Are they really dead?”  Randy asked.

Harry sighed. “We got no way of knowing, for sure. Lizzy had to put them through a fence to protect them and led the infected away. By the time we met and made our way back they were being picked up by three soldiers. It was pretty fucked up with the infected, men yelling and gun fire. We tried to follow, but we lost ‘em. We’ve been trying to find them but they seem to have disappeared around Kerrville.”

“In other words, they’re probably dead.” Randy answered.

“No. We don’t think so. We saw a message on a trailer. It was something Lizzy recognized.” Harry continued. “Before we could check out the area we got ambushed and had to spend some time in the camper yard recuperating. Then the kids and their father showed up. Things got complicated and we ended up here.  She can’t keep going on like this. I put an end to it for the baby’s sake.”

“Baby?”

“Yeah. She’s pregnant.” Harry nodded.

“What about her husband?” Randy asked.

John folded his arms across his chest. “No idea. He warned her. Who knows what happened to him after that. I know from everything we saw on television early on, the base was overrun early on. We have no idea if he survived.”

“All I know now is we need to get someplace safe.  We got an exhausted pregnant woman and two malnourished kids that just lost their dad.” Harry lamented.

Randy nodded. “We’re only sixty miles from canyon. We’ve been out searching for supplies. Tomorrow we’re making a quick trip into Dell City then we’ll be heading back to Pine Springs Canyon.”

Harry glanced through the windshield toward collapsed house and dying fire. “Sounds good to me.”

John added. “We got less than a quarter tank of gas we could maybe find enough to get to Pine Springs.”

Harry chuckled. “Yeah. This is a gas guzzling bitch for sure.”

Randy directed Harry toward a stand of Pin Oak clustered together about half a mile from the highway.  They parked the camper and John opened the side door to expose the waning light. A cooling breeze was a welcome relieve from the stuffy camper.

Randy slapped his hands on his knees.  “It’s settled then. Let’s get busy. My guys will set up some traps. If you two don’t mind, we’ll split the watch three shifts, two each for four hours.”

Harry nodded in agreement. “Sounds like a plan. We can take care of that while Lizzy and the kids get a good night’s sleep. When we hit that town tomorrow we’ll get filled up while you get your supplies then we’ll be ready to head out.”

Liz stood in the doorway watching the two men frowning. “So, I guess you have it all worked out?” She said crossly.

Both men turned toward her looking a little guilty.

“Now, Lizzy. We’re just….”

“I know what you’re doing. You’ve decided I don’t get a say in what happens to me and the kids.” She railed. “This is not circling the wagons protecting the women and children time.”

“Now Lizzy. You’re in the family way and all.”  Harry began then grew quiet when he saw the scowl on her face.

“I think it’s time I see to making the camp safe.” Randy pulled himself to his feet and headed across the camp with Harry and John on his heels.

When they were gone, Liz dropped to the seat next to the table. She felt tears threatening and bit at her bottom lip. The ache in her side was crushing.

“Ms. Liz.  What’s wrong?”  Trace asked sadly.

Liz took a shallow breath and squared her shoulders.  “Nothing.  Let’s see if I can get you two clean shirts. You can get cleaned up and I’ll get your clothes washed. They’ll be dry by morning, but in the meantime Trace, you can wear an oversized t-shirt and Cody can borrow a pair of pants to wear around camp tonight.”

An hour later the kids were clean, the camp was set up with two men on watch and the rest sitting around a small campfire getting to know each other.

“Spyders?”  Randy asked. “You got that far on tricycles?”

“Fuck you, asshole.” Harry laughed. “We did alright until some assholes waylaid us on the outskirts of Odessa.”

Finders Keepers – Part 2

Posted: June 18, 2016 in Book I Terror in Texas
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Jack smiled and whispered. “Thank you.”

Liz patted his arm. “I’m going to fix you and the kids some soup. I want you to try to eat a bit more, okay?”

Jack slid against the wall and Trace crawled into the bed with her father. Liz looked to Cody. His face still mirrored his distrust.

“Cody? You want to come help me pick out some soup?” Liz asked the youth.

“Doesn’t matter.” Cody snarled.

Liz gave him a sad smile and opened a cabinet door. “Probably doesn’t to you, but maybe to your dad and sister.”

Cody shrugged and walked to the cabinet where the microwavable soup was stored. “Shit!” He pulled one after another out of the cabinet. When he noticed the fruit cups sitting next to the soup, he fell to his knees sobbing.

Liz wrapped her arm around his thin frame and whispered. “It’s alright. You and Trace will survive this. You have to be brave for your sister, now. This is terrible, but I promise you your dad will be at peace knowing you will be safe.”

Cody took a deep breath and pulled free. “It will never be alright.” He got to his feet and he picked out two cups of soup and a couple mixed fruit cups.”

Without a word, Cody heated the soup while Liz opened a fruit cup and pulled a plastic spoon from a drawer. Together, they carried the meals to large bed where Trace sat cross-legged with her father. She was talking about her favorite doll back home then drifted into how it was so good to be clean even if she didn’t have clean clothes. She was a typical preteen drifting from one topic to the next.

“Here.” Cody shoved chicken noodle soup in her hands.

“Oh, my favorite.” She dug the spoon in and took a big bite. She licked at the spoon then dug it in the thick sodium loaded sludge in utter rapture.

Liz laughed. “Do you like fruit salad?” She held out the small can.

“OMG! Two things?” Trace looked to her father. “Can I have two things to eat?”

Jack nodded. “If Ms. Liz tells you its okay, then it’s alright, sweetie.”

Trace leaned over and kissed her father’s damp check. “Thank you, daddy.”

“You need to go eat at the table, baby.”

“Yes sir.”

Jack looked toward his son. “Cody, you go eat with your sister. I need to speak to Ms. Liz.” Cody twisted his face to argue, but his father frowned slightly and added softly. “Do as I say, please.”

When the kids were out of earshot, Jack sighed. “It won’t be long.” Liz nodded and he continued. “Please, make sure I don’t turn.” He took a labored breath. “Give me peace.”

Liz tried to swallow her revulsion. “We will.”

“We left their mom.” A sob caught in his throat. “We didn’t know. We saw her walk out of the building where she died.” Jack whispered. “They know what will happen now.”

Liz, John and Harry took turns driving. It was slow going with the huge camper. What had been a decent place to hide, but turned into an albatross driving through the arid countryside of west Texas. The camper got terrible mileage and they had to stop once already. They had been lucky, there was no one around and they could syphon gas from a delivery access port. It wasn’t easy using the hand pump because the fuel level was low but they finally filled the tank.

Meanwhile, Jack grew steadily worse. Cody and Tracy huddled close to their father until he finally sent them to rest in the bed over the front seats.

It was the first time Liz witnessed a person succumbing to the infection. She watched Jack as he worsened, drifting in and out of consciousness by mid-afternoon. His complexion had turned an ashy gray. Beads of moisture had disappeared and now his skin was dry and looked as if it was aging by the minute. He had taken to holding a towel over his lower faced since each cough spewed drops of spittle and blood across the blanket covering him. Each breath came in a ragged gasp.

“Not long.” Jack whispered. “I hurt too much. Please…stop and help me out.”

“Harry, we need to stop.” Liz called out from the back of the camper.

Harry eased up on the accelerator and the camper began to slow. “There a small farm house ahead.” He turned in the drive and the camper rolled over the culvert and through a gate. “John, we need to make sure there isn’t any infected around before we get anyone out.”

Harry pulled into the drive of an old rundown shack. The house was faded gray wood with only hints of paint remaining. It was built with two sections and a dog trot between. They could see through the breezeway. The yard was overgrown and littered with run-down remnants of antiquated farm equipment. Under a spreading massive oak was a forty year old green Oldsmobile pitted and marred by massive patches of rust.

Harry pulled into the yard and stopped the camper. He glanced back and saw the two children standing in the bedroom doorway protecting their father. The boy looked angry while the little girl had big tears sliding down her face. She chewed at her fingernails.

“Let’s do this.” Harry said.

John gave a quick nod then turned to Liz. “Stay with them.” He nodded toward the kids.

“I will.” Liz answered.

Harry and John stepped out of the camper and with machetes in hand headed toward the house. They disappeared into the left part of the house only to return a few minutes later and enter the right side of the breezeway. A few minutes later Harry crossed the dirt yard to the camper.

“It’s clear. John found a mattress. He’s pulling it out into the breezeway.”

Liz reached out and gently moved the two children to the aside.

Harry entered the camper and walked up to Jack. “Sorry about this, man.”

Jack struggled to get his right leg off the bed. Finally, Harry reached down and gently pulled his legs over the edge of the bed.

“You can’t just leave him!” Cody protested.

“Hush.” Jack whispered. “My decision.”

Liz reached out to wrap her arm around the two children. “We’re not leaving him. We’ll stay as long as your dad needs us.”

Cody jerked away, but Trace turned into Liz and buried her face against Liz’s chest.

Harry half carried, half drug Jack to the door where John waited. When they got him down the three steps, John and Harry carried Jack to the house. They laid him on a frayed blanket covering an old mattress.

Liz followed with the children in tow. Without the sound of the massive engine of the camper, the silence was heavy and only disturbed by Trace’s whimpering.

Jack sighed and smiled at the gathering.

“I’m fine now. You can leave me.” Jack whispered. “It won’t be long. I can feel myself slipping away.

“No. We won’t leave you.” Liz answered.

John disappeared into the rooms on the right and brought two kitchen chairs out into the breezeway. H settled on one and nodded for Liz to take the other. She sat down and pulled Trace into her lap. Cody sat down at the edge of the mattress. Harry walked from the breezeway and reappeared a few minutes later with several bottles of water.

It was a hot afternoon and the hint of a breeze did little to dissipate the heat of from the Texas sun on the tin roof of the breezeway. Before long everyone was glistening with moisture. Everyone, but Jack. His breathing had grown more shallow and his skin dry and cold. He struggled for each breath.

Suddenly, Jack’s eyes opened and he looked at his son. Cody clutched at hand. Trace slipped from Liz’s lap and fell to her knees next to her father. “I love you, both so much.” He coughed and blood tricked from his mouth. “They’ll take care of you.”

Cody knelt next to his father. “I don’t want them. I want you.”

Jack smiled. “Don’t always get what you want. Sometimes you get what you need. I love you son.”

Trace kissed her father’s hand. “Please, Daddy?”

“Love you, baby girl.” Jack’s eyes drifted closed, his chest rose one last time then lay still.

Liz watched as tears slid down her cheeks. After several minutes, Harry laid a hand on Liz’s shoulder.

Liz rose and reached down to pull Trace to her feet and led the little girl out into the afternoon sun. Trace hid her face against Liz’s side as they walked toward the camper. John led Cody out into the sun to follow. Harry followed a few minutes later.

By the time they got to the edge of the yard a spiral of gray smoke crept from the eaves of the breezeway.

Outside the camper, Cody stood stone still, while Trace whimpered. “My daddy….”

Liz pulled Trace into the camper with the rest of the ensemble following behind. Harry climbed behind the wheel as bright orange flames broke through the windows at the left of the breezeway.

“Be at peace, man. We got this covered.” Harry whispered.

The kids and Liz settled at the table while John fell into the passenger seat.

Harry made a U-turn and began to head toward the gate when two vehicles stopped in front of the driveway. The deep ditch on either side of the culvert ensured they stayed where they were.

“What is it?” Liz asked.

“Not sure. Two vehicles.” Harry answered. He grabbed his shotgun and laid it across his lap. “Get the kids to the back of the camper and on the floor. This goes south, get out that back window and into the woods.” Liz hustled the kids away. “John, you ready for this?”

“Fuck no, but I don’t see any way around it.” John said and he checked his load.

“Try to stay cool, man.” Harry stood up and walked back to the door and turned the handle. “Give me a few seconds so they can’t mow us both down at the same time.”

John sighed. “Optimistic, aren’t we?”

Harry stepped out into the late afternoon heat. The setting sun silhouetted four men stepping from two vehicles.

“You light that fire?” A deep voice called out.

“Yep.” Harry answered. “Didn’t have shovels to bury a dead man and didn’t want to leave him for the buzzards.”

The tallest of the four stepped forward. “Family?”

“You might say.” Harry took a step closer and lowered the barrel of his shotgun. “You folks aren’t heading back toward Sierra Blanca, are you? We passed by there and it’s overrun. Really bad there.”

Liz could hear voices but couldn’t hear what was being said. “Stay here, both of you. You hear shots, get out the back window and run. I’ll be right behind you.”

Cody nodded as Liz walked toward the front of the camper. She could see the men facing Harry. They wore western hats, rough work clothes and boots. They looked Hispanic. Liz’s jaw clinched. If they came from Mexico….

“Thanks for the warning.” The tall man answered. “Where you folks headed? There ain’t much out here.”

Harry hesitated a moment then answered. “Looking for a safe place to hide.”

Liz slammed the camper door open and raced toward the tall stranger. “Randy!”

“Liz?” Randy answered as she flew into his arms.

Finders Keepers – Part 1

Posted: June 13, 2016 in Book I Terror in Texas
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
4

Harry and Liz changed places. He settled behind the wheel and kept watch for pursuers using the side mirror. Liz gathered her medical supplies and made her way to the man and his children.

“The minute I see him, I’m getting this rig cranked and we’re out of here.” Harry announced. “Get that guy fixed up.”

Liz studied the man sitting at the table. His sandy blond hair was matted and greasy. His thin face was drawn and haggard looking.

Finally, she spoke. “Hi. My name is Liz. You have an injury?”

“My name is Jack Green.” The man answered. “Needn’t bother.”

“Well, let me try to patch you up for now.” Liz answered as she passed him a compression bandage. “How old are your children?”

“Cody is thirteen. Trace is only nine.” Jack answered.

Liz smiled at the kids. “Hi. Are you two hungry?” Both kids nodded emphatically. “We have some food in the cabinet in the kitchen behind you. Get something to eat and drinks. Bring something for your dad.”

When the kids had stepped away, Liz pulled the cloth from the wound and cringed at the site of a human bite.

“I know what this means. Your friends should have left me behind.” Jack protested.

“Well, they didn’t, so now I’m going to try to help.” Liz responded.

“It’s a waste of resources. I’m going to die.” Jack answered.

“Look, I’m doing this for the kids. They need to learn to trust us. You’ll be gone and we’re their only hope of survival. I don’t want to have to worry they’ll sneak out in the middle of the night.”

Jack looked down. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m grateful you took us in.”

The engine of the camper roared to life and the side door jerked open. John climbed into the camper and slammed the door. “Go!” Still gasping for air he slumped into the passenger seat. “Those fuckers are crazy.” He spun the seat around and glared at Jack. “What in the hell did you bring down on us?”

“Sorry.” Jack whispered. “We were….”

“Enough!” Liz interrupted. “It’s not their fault. They could be the same people that attacked us and have been looking for us all along. They might have driven by and seen the padlock broken. These people could be caught up in our problems not the other way around.”

John sighed. “I suppose you could have a point there.”

“It doesn’t matter how they found us. I hope your little stunt slows them down enough to get us out of this.” Harry laughed.

“I thought it worked out pretty well.” John rubbed at his side. “It didn’t help that cracked rib, though. I’m getting too old for this shit.”

“Hey, at least, we’re driving in style.” Harry answered. “Get your rifle and be ready in case that crew follows us.”

“Got it.” He grabbed a bottle of water and a package of trail mix. He went to the back of the vehicle and opened the window.

Liz poured peroxide over the wound and finished bandaging Jack’s shoulder. The children came back from the kitchen, their arms filled with packages and bottles. They squeezed in next to their father and began gulping at the food.

Liz returned the supplies to the cabinet then settled at the table across from the family. “Been a while since you had something to eat?”

Jack sipped at a bottle of water. “Three days, I think. A dozen of us were in a small “mom-n-pop” store. We’d been there nearly a week. It was amazing. It had a wood stove, a creek in the back and plenty of canned and packaged foods. I guess they supplied hunters and back packers. We ate packaged foods, cleaned up in the creek, and had plenty of water. They even had some clothes.  We found clean shirts and cargo pants, boots and socks. Shit, we thought we were in heaven.”

“I’ll bet.” Liz answered.

Jack sighed as he wiped at the moisture that had collected on his face. “Can the kids get cleaned up?”

“Sure.” Liz smiled at the kids. “Just use a sink full of water. We’re trying to save what’s in the tank since we don’t know if we can get it filled up again on our way.”

The kids headed to the back of the camper.

“You sound like you have a destination in mind. Where are you heading?” Jack asked.

My dad has property in the mountains. We’re headed there.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I won’t be around much longer and my kids will be left alone. Will you take them with you?”

“Dad, we don’t need them!” Cody called from the back of the camper. “I’ll take care of us.”

Jack sighed. “Cody, you know what’s gonna happen. You saw what happened to your mom.”

“Dad?” Cody’s voice broke. “You can’t leave us. I won’t let you just give us away.” He ran to his father and collapsed into the seat next to him.

Liz got up and moved to the passenger seat. Tears threatened as she listened to Jack talking to his son.

“Cody, it’s time for you to grow up. I got bit, you know it and you know what it means. I want you to stay with these folks. They didn’t have to save us, but they did. You need help protecting your sister. You know what they did to those women in the store.”

“Dad?” Cody cried.

“Enough. I mean it. You promise to do what these folks say and help them protect your sister. She’s going to need you. Now, more than ever. Promise me.”

Cody remained quiet. The only sound was him sniffling. Finally he whispered. “Yes sir.”

Jack leaned back and took a long deep quivering breath. Trace came out of the bathroom and settled on the bench across from her father and brother.

For the first time Liz could see the younger child was a girl. She had dark hair that had been cut short with heavy bangs across her forehead. She had combed her hair.

When she gave her father a hint of a smile, her dimples reminded Liz of her own daughter. She quickly turned back to the road ahead. Two stray children would not replace the daughters she lost.

From the narrow gravel road, Harry found a blacktop the GPS identified was State Road 54. They turned on the highway and Harry kept the speedometer hovering around sixty miles after mile.

“This is dangerous. What if we come over a hill and run into something?” Liz protested.

“Is it any more dangerous than those assholes finding us?” Harry answered.

Liz shrugged. “You may have a point. “ She walked back to the father and children.

One look at the father and she announced.

“You need to lie down.”

Jack rose then slipped back into the seat. “You need to stop and leave me.” He sighed. “You can’t let me hurt my children.”

Liz reached out to gently pull Jack to his feet. “You come lay down. Right now, we need to let you rest.” When Jack lay down, she whispered. “We won’t let you hurt anyone, but for now, we need the kids to see they can trust us and you can help with that by letting us take care of you.”

No Replacement

Posted: April 30, 2016 in Book I Terror in Texas
Tags: , , , , , ,
0

Harry stepped through the front window of the sales offices. Glass crunched underfoot. He could hear excited whispers toward the back hall of the sales office part of the building. He glanced at the teller’s window and immediately saw the infected man was no longer trapped behind the glass.

“Shit!” Harry whispered. “John?”

“Back here. We got a problem. Come on back.” John answered.

Harry followed the sound of John’s voice into the dark recesses of the dealership building. When he got to the breakroom, he saw John standing over two bodies. One was the decaying man from the teller’s booth. The other was a stranger still moaning and writhing in pain. Squatting next to the dying man were two children. The man and both kids were malnourished and covered in grime. The taller of the two soon-to-be orphans looked to be a boy around fifteen while the younger was definitely preteen but too dirty to tell if it was a girl or boy.

“What the fuck is going on, here?” Harry demanded.

“They came in looking for food. When they didn’t find anything they tried to get the stuff in the booth. I got here in time to kill the infected, but not before he took a chunk outta the guy laying there.” John answered.

“Fuck!” Harry cursed.

The man on the floor waved his arm to move the children from his side. He pushed himself up and looked at both John and Harry. “Please, don’t hurt my kids.”

“No intentions of hurting your kids. What are you folks doing here?” Harry asked.

“Looking for food. What do you think, asshole?” The boy answered with a snarl.

The man grabbed his son’s leg. “Hush boy. Ain’t these men’s fault I got bit. It was mine.” He looked to Harry. “I’m Ben Green, this is by kids, Cody and Grace.”

“I’m Harry Walters, and this ugly old coot is John Tilman. I wish I could say it was nice meeting you, but like this. Well….”

“I know what’s gonna happen.” Jack answered. “Please. You gotta take the kids and get outta here. We’ve been running from a gang that found us two days ago. If they come here, they’ll kill you all.”

“Then we move out.” Harry responded.

“Take my kids.” Ben pleaded. “Please. Just leave me and take my kids. You’ve gotta hurry.”

“We’ll go, but we’re taking all of you. Come on John.” Harry stepped to Ben’s side and grabbed under Ben’s arm. John followed suite. “Let’s move out.

Ben tried to pull away, but Harry and John only pulled him forward.

“I’m gonna turn.”  Ben protested.

Harry whispered at him. “Might be, but I won’t have your kids fighting us to stay with you.  We need to move out and be quiet about it.”

Ben relented and allowed himself to be carried through the hall toward the broken window. They stepped out into the dawning light to the sound of motors in the distance.

Harry turned around and called back when the kids hesitated. “Let’s go, you two. We have to get outta here.”

Ben called back. “Listen to what they say, from now on.”

Both Cody and Trace picked up the pace and followed close behind. The sound of the vehicles approaching grew louder.

“They’re coming!” Ben warned. “Leave me. Run!”

Harry waved an arm and suddenly the camper at the back of the lot roared to life. “Keep moving!”

Liz cranked the engine and slammed the camper in gear at the sight of Harry’s wave. He and John were carrying a man while two children were following close behind. She pulled out of the parking spaced turning toward the fence, slammed on the breaks then slipped the gear shift into reverse. She stepped on the gas and the camper began rolling backwards toward the Harry and John. She accelerated until the camper began weaving, she slowed enough to guide the vehicle toward the men.

The two men pulled Ben to the side of the drive and called the kids to them. Liz stopped in front of the group, slammed the shift into park. John jerked open the door. He let Harry step inside then pushed Ben and the kids in behind him.

“Hit the gas and go through the fence. Take the ditch at an angle. Wait ten minute down the road half a mile. If I don’t make it by then, leave without me.”

Liz opened her mouth to protest, but John scowled. “Got it. Don’t be late old man!”

John ran to a blue camper, used a key to open a door and climb inside. He cranked the engine and revved the engine, waiting.

Liz stepped on the gas and aimed the camper between the posts where the fence sagged. Harry dropped Ben at the table and pointed the kids toward the opposite side. He threw a towel at Ben. “Stop the bleeding, sit down, and shut up until we get outa this mess you brought to our door step.” He growled.

Harry flopped into the passenger seat and belted in. He pointed toward the back of the property. “Ease up on the gas right before you hit the fence. It’ll knock the support off the top of the post. Angle to the left crossing the easement and hopefully, there won’t be water in the ditch and we get stuck. When you get up on the road, go left.”

Liz hit the fence with the front bumper and the zip ties split.  The front windshield frame hit the pipe at the top was thrown to the side while a crack raced across the glass. The front end of the camper dipped then bounced up the incline to the asphalt. The back tilted and bucked then bounced on the roadway. Liz pushed her foot down on the accelerator and looked back toward the parking lot just in time to see the blue camper pull out and accelerate toward the fence.

John opened both side windows and pulled the seat belt tight. He jammed his foot into the accelerator. The engine revved and the machine accelerated as it raced toward the open fence. He waited until the very last moment and then spun the steering wheel hard to the left just as he got twenty feet from the open fence.

The blue camper skidded and tilted while John held the wheel. The top heavy vehicle hung at a forty-five degree angle for a heartbeat then faltered and tumbled to its side. The vehicle slid the last ten feet into the gaping hole in the fence.

John struggled to fight the blackness that threatened to envelope him.  Finally it faded and he opened his eyes.  Still was held in the seat.  He groaned at the pain the seat belt was causing to his damaged ribs. He turned off the engine and released the seatbelt.  He slid off the seat and fell to the side window. He pocketed the key and stood up. He grunted in pain as he twisted his body to reach toward the open window overhead.

“That wasn’t such a good idea. John mumbled to himself.

He stepped on the console between the front seats and pulled himself up toward the window. When he got his hands on the window sill, he pulled himself up and through the opening. He looked back to the gate at the opposite end of the lot and saw the first vehicle, a massive truck with cobbled together grill across the front, slamming through the chained gate.

John climbed down the underside of the camper and fell into the dry ditch with a gasp of pain. He clutched at his ribs and crawled to the road. He got to his feet and hurried away from the camper.

John heard the first gunshot and turned to see two men standing at the side of the fence with guns pointed in his direction.  They fired two more shots.  Both danced off the asphalt at his feet.  He cursed and pushed himself into an ungainly lope.

He rounded the bend in the road to the sound of cursing and screams of frustration.

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