DEAD FACTIONS - the Zombie War Narratives - a Novella (6 page)

As the survivors look over the mobile weapons and start putting their gear into the vehicles, Chief walks further away with Corey, consulting him, “Look hermano, I don’t know what all you have been through. We all have our stories...none good, as you know. However, together with these weapons, we should be able to distance ourselves from the shit that is going on. I am curious, what were your plans? Being a young man and all... alone with this impressive stash…”

Corey looks away...thinking. He honestly left the city in hopes of finding what Chief just described…distance. Distance from the stress and the unending questions that skip in his mind like a badly scratched vinyl record.

“I don't know...I just want normal back.” Corey’s lip curls, attempting to avoid a dark place with his thoughts. They are more like feelings than thoughts.  He would best explain them as a mixture of alienation, depression, and anxiety…feelings that he would try to hold back. Throughout his life these emotions presented as frustration. Unfortunately those nearby would be spectators or possibly victims of his outbursts. The action was never intentional, but always an issue.  Exhaustion and confusion were side effects of the flared behavior and prevented discovery of the real triggers.

Chief realizes that Corey is lost in thought. The rugged elder is a man who has little practice with showing emotion, including empathy, but he gives it a go, “Look...I am sorry I doubted you earlier. I guess everyone is having trouble coping with this new world. It is a lot to absorb, a situation none us wanted. Know that you are among friends now…let’s get our stuff together.”

Corey nods and mutters, “Plans keep changing…”

They return to the group to find the team of five survivors surrounded by three armed creatures...creatures they had never seen. Corey and Chief are not sure what to do.  While pausing to try and understand what they see, approaching footsteps are heard behind them. Rocks are kicked across the ground, passing their feet and stopping just in front of them. Corey is afraid to look back...but must. Progressing towards the humans, Thomas appears still clad in black. Corey is drawn instantly to the nail still sticking out of Thomas' forehead. He just doesn't understand how he didn't kill him…and who is he kidding with that coat?

“Unfortunately Malcolm and Jordan weren’t capable of finishing their mission. A small victory for you but I can assure you that there will not be another. The Zlys surrounding your team are my ultimate force of warriors. I am sure you remember me talking about them Corey since I had brought you here to help me gain their allegiance. Sadly, you thought killing me was a better option…but you couldn’t even do that!”

“You had the same plan for me and I'm still breathing
ASSHOLE
! Let’s go Thomas, let’s finish this shit!”

Thomas wants to put Corey on tilt, “So, still bitter that you didn’t finish me? Your aim was off…even at close range…VERY sad.” He nods to a Zly who then throws a sword to Corey who catches it, although somewhat bewildered.

Thomas pulls a sword from his coat and lunges. In a defensive, but novice move, Corey holds his sword with both hands, the hilt in his right hand, the blade in his left.  The pressure from holding back Thomas’ sword, results in Corey’s own blade beginning to slice into his hand.  Being at the receiving end of the zombie’s obviously advanced fencing technique, the young survivor recalls Thomas’ days on the school’s fencing team. The intimidation is not welcome but its presence is felt. He shoves Thomas away causing him to stumble backwards a bit, but is able to regain his stance.

Thomas smiles...he knows his abilities are superior and the fight is his to lose. “Like old times, eh?”

Corey looks on with a drive to end it here and now. The force of the exaggerated movement has revived the pain from the branding.  The wound begins to bleed and soak through his shirt again. As Corey initiates an exaggerated strike back, Thomas steps to the side at the last minute allowing his foe to stubble past him.

Tonya’s face betrays the enormous conflict she feels. She understands this is her friend’s fight and he does not want her help.  However, as he turns to face his rival, she notices the blood on his shirt. Thomas times it perfectly, kicking Corey’s hand, knocking the sword away.  Corey keeps his distance in order to plan his next action. The two pace completing a half circle back to their original positions.

Thomas inserts banter, “I really thought you had more in you.” As he continues to humiliate his opposition, Thomas comes within a comfortable distance. Not allowing any more time to slip away, he jump-kicks Corey in the chest bashing him to the ground. Thomas wants to enjoy the moment. He broadly swings the blade to the right as Corey crawls backwards, his shirt soaked in blood drowning out the image that was once a symbol of their friendship. The blade is swung again but this time to the left backing Corey up against an old tree. Thomas walks up before delivering his final thrust. He gradually displays a sinister grin... a cookie cutter image from the victory at the weapon pickup. Looking down his extended blade to Corey, “You are such a typical human...so gullible and trusting.
”

Thomas, still looking down...suddenly begins to stumble backwards…a blade protruding through his abdomen.  With Tonya standing just behind, Thomas looks down at the wound. Corey moves away rapidly, desperately looking for his sword wanting to apply the fatal strike…not recognizing it is his sword in Thomas.  The sudden change in power is recognized by the Zlys. Seeing its master’s considerable trauma, one of the Zlys swoops in, grabbing Thomas and struggles to fly off. In the air, the handle sticking out of Thomas' back emits a flash. Using the flicker of light from the sword’s handle as a target, Chief reaches for his handgun and fires at the quickly fleeing pair.

Tonya felt compelled to help, but offers an apology. “Sorry, I couldn’t just stand there…didn’t mean to steal your thunder,” Corey looks away somewhat disappointed, “Yeah.”

The survivors do not have time to celebrate...there are still two Zlys left that show no mercy and prove why they were so sought out by Thomas. The two highly trained mutants move quickly against the seven humans whose handguns do not result in much damage and can only slow the Zlys down to a degree. With no signs of turning away, the winged warriors move forward into the heavy gunfire of the survivors and kill without remorse.

Minutes have passed and three humans have already died from the melee. Patrick who is seventeen, tall and built like an athlete takes an opportunity to jump on the back of one of assassins. He pulls back on the beast’s horn to force its mouth open. With his teeth, Patrick pulls the pin of a grenade then shoves it deep into the Zlys mouth. As he jumps away, he makes sure to push the beast forward so the blast would go away from him.
'BOOM!’
The headless Zly rains green and bluish matter on the survivors standing just in front of it.

The last Zly is concentrated on Tonya firing back with two handguns. It is unaware of Corey who leaps up with his drill and fires, nailing the Zly’s claw to a tree.  As Corey approaches the beast, it attempts to release itself. Corey knows it is now or never and replaces the nail gun attachment with a drill bit. He thrusts the weapon upward drilling through the creature’s mandible stopping in its brain. The Zly's screaming stops as it falls downward, the body is left dangling by its nailed claw.  Corey looks around to see a beaten up group of humans left alive…only four now.

They have won their first battle together, but at a cost. Unfortunately a decision has to be made, one with which they will all eventually agree. They know they have to remove the possibility of their friends returning…returning as walkers. While Chief took the responsibility of shooting each of the fallen in the head, the others dug graves for their friends who fought so they could carry on. After completing the burial, they each carefully laid one of their own possessions on the mounds…a picture, a necklace, a baseball card, and a can of food. Regardless, the loss was tough…any loss of life at this point is hard.

Chapter Three

Grenades, Flames and Zlys...

Oh My!

The survivors begin to sort through the gear and weapons. Tonya sees Corey packing his bag and senses his uneasiness, “Are you okay?”

He is still disturbed about the unfortunate deaths of people he had just met and the encounter with Thomas, “Yeah... I'll be back.”

Corey grabs his gear and marches on towards the Colony. He has a feeling that his attempt to find his family at the Colony is in vain; but, going is something he must do…as long as there is any possibility, any hope.

Chief climbs into the rocket launcher to look it over while Tonya jumps in the jeep and Patrick takes a tank with a small mounted gun on the back. While waiting for Corey, Tonya and Patrick siphon gas from vehicles that will be left behind to fill the tanks of their chosen rides. They each take some time to get a basic feel for their newly acquired weapons. Patrick really struggles to maneuver the tank, but refuses to change weapons. He feels they will need the tank.  Even though the humans carry on doing what is necessary, they feel an absence…an absence of their friends and family.  It is not long before Tonya gets antsy and decides they should drive towards the city to meet Corey.

Corey comes to a stop at the end of the steps of the Capitol, shotgun in hand. He carefully scouts out the area as he comes close to the entrance. He stops and presses his back against the wall. Clearly skeptical of finding anything positive, Corey looks in and slowly moves forward, his gun pointed ready to fire.  As he reaches the center of the building, it is apparent why this is referred to as “the Colony”.  The dome of the structure is perfect for the combs that have been assembled and suspended above the floor. Anything of historical value is covered in a termite-looking clay…tunnels of dirt everywhere. He looks closer at the cocoon shaped tubes that are attached to each other in a geometric pattern and extend completely to the top of the dome. He sees developing human-like bodies lying in gelatinous goo. Some are zombies starting to take on Zly characteristics; others are Zlys that appear to be ready to burst out of their encasements. Sadly, there is no sign of his family anywhere…at least that he recognizes. He struggles to push that thought out of his head.

As he continues his search, he notices some strange writing on the walls. Unknown to Corey, the inscription in front of him roughly translates as,
“
The infected go through a state of hibernation to transform. Once metamorphosis is complete, the Zlys will have twice as much strength… twice as much hunger.”

Corey turns from his discovery in disappointment. Frustration begins to overtake him…it is like a fire overcoming him. Without hesitation, four grenades are pulled from his bag. Corey continues to stare ahead as he marches towards the exit. The bombs are brought to his temples and his thumbs pull each of the rings out. He runs as the grenades drop to the ground and he exits the Capitol.

Chief, Patrick and Tonya park nearby to wait on Corey. He slows his pace, wiping his eyes as he approaches his friends. Patrick eagerly, “You ready man?”

Corey stands next to Tonya's jeep, “Yea, give it a second.”

“KaBoooom!!!”

Corey looks back to watch the convulsive blasts at the Capitol. Shortly after, smoke begins to pour out of the exit. Corey looks back at Patrick and replies, “Now, I'm ready.” As he takes his bag off and throws it onto the backseat, Tonya guns the engine, “Come on slow poke!”

Corey goes around to the passenger side of the jeep. Suddenly, a flaming hand reaches over, grabbing Corey. An inflamed Zly has found its way outside the Capitol, looking to defend its Colony. It acts oblivious that it is on fire and throws Corey to the ground. Defenseless, Corey looks up at the enraged and burning brute. Tonya moves quickly from the jeep, pulling her sleeves over her hands, delivers a forceful blow to the Zlys’ shoulder. It swings hitting her, throwing her back.  This exchange gives Corey enough time to get into the jeep. He searches desperately for a weapon. In the distance, the sound of a small engine starting up is heard. In an attempt to help his friends, Chief has grabbed a chainsaw and holds the trigger as he runs closer to the Zly. But before he can apply the fatal cut, the Zly takes hold of Corey's head, leaving his shoulder vulnerable. The Zly applies a powerful chomp and then swings its head without compassion. Chief locks the saw’s trigger and shoves the spinning blade into the back of the Zly's head. The enraged and flame-engulfed beast runs in a frantic circle, away from the humans, until the saw ultimately explodes.

Corey bitten, drops with his hoodie on fire. Chief and Tonya frantically try to remove the burning hoodie and throw loose earth to extinguish the left over flames on Corey. Chief looks at Tonya, “We have got to get him to the base! Help me get him into the jeep.”

Chapter 4   

                                                                                                                                                   
Enter
Lu-CI-4

In the distance the Colony still burns…smoke rises with an acceleration that quickly covers the sky with a blanket of blackness. The darkness casts a shadow over the three survivors as they stand around Corey unconscious in the back of the jeep. They have moved to the other side of the city, just outside of what they believe to be a military base, their original destination before meeting Corey.

Tonya concerned, puts her hand on Corey. She
whispers
,
“
You’ve got to be OK. We are going to get you help as soon as we can figure this all out. I promise!”
She removes her hand and sees Corey’s bag. She cannot help herself and begins to view its contents. Through her search she finds a folded piece of paper.