Decay (Book 2): Humanity (6 page)

Chapter 9

“My father was a jack-of-all-trades type, so I grew up in various places around Australia. Wherever the work was,” Deacon began. “In the mid-nineties we were living in a small village east of Perth. I was pretty young so I don’t remember much from that time, but there are others who remember quite well. I’ll tell you the story as it was documented by these people with a mix of my own memories.

“One day U.S military trucks began rolling through our little village. I doubt anyone thought much of it, and as a kid, hell, I was excited to see it. The large semis carried supplies off into the outback while soldiers rode in Humvees. Over the next week or so a large wall was built many miles inland. Inside of that wall they set up–from what I heard–a pretty nice little village. I remember that a few military men came by one day. They were offering people the chance to live in the village for nothing. Free living! Free food, free water. I’m glad my father turned it down. He was the kind of man who wanted to work for everything he had.”

The yacht swayed gently in the ocean as Mark listened to Deacon’s story. He knew that what had been happening on Hawaii was big, but he had the feeling that what he was about to hear would be much larger than he thought possible. Mark raised his glass of water to his lips and turned to check the monitor down the hall. It had switched to a camera facing a cage holding the undead.

“It didn’t take long for them to find their “villagers”, as most people would give up everything for a free ride. I remember sitting with my cousin, Tommy, as we watched his mum pack up their Subaru. My Aunt, Kathrine, and her husband, Kyle, said their goodbyes before loading Tommy up and driving off to their new life in the walled village.”

Deacon went silent for what seemed like several minutes as he remembered playing with his cousin every day after school. Mark sat and watched the Australian. He didn’t want to interrupt what he could tell were great memories, but his patience wasn’t quite up to the task.

“Well,” Mark finally interrupted.

“Sorry, mate. We got letters from Aunt Kathrine and Tommy quite often for the first few weeks. I was jealous. Tommy wrote about swimming in the massive pool at the town center. He said there were arcade games and all sorts of great things. Great food was served and movies were played every afternoon. All of it was free.

“The cost of living was more than they were initially told, unfortunately. My mum noticed that Aunt Kathrine’s letters were getting weird. My aunt wrote really well, but as the weeks went on her spelling got worse and her writing was sloppy. She said everything was going great, but my mum wasn’t convinced of that.

“One night we could hear something in the distance. No one knew what it was. Just the wind is what we thought. It was a high pitched sound; like the wind was whistling through the trees. Being a kid at the time I can’t say how long it lasted, but it wasn’t long, and when it stopped it was completely over. Then we got a typed letter–really generic–that said they were being moved to another village and we’d hear from them when they got there. For the next couple of days we could smell something burning in the air. Turns out the sounds we heard were screams, and the smell was burnt flesh.”

“Wow!” Mark was stunned. “And this was in the mid-nineties?”

“Yeah,” replied Deacon. “But here is what I’ve learned. The U.S government rented that chunk of land from Australia. Set up the village, and began testing this virus on people. Those people that didn’t survive the testing turned to fiends and ripped apart everyone who was alive. The whole time this happened, the U.S government watched from the other side of that wall.”

“I can’t believe that the U.S would do that. Worst of all, Australia let them.” Mark exclaimed, shocked by what he had just heard.

“Australia wasn’t the only country,” Deacon stated.

Chapter 10

“You don’t have to go, Jonathan,” Laikynn said. Her green eyes tempted Jonathan, almost daring him to stay.

“I do, Laikynn. I have to find a way to stop all of this. There is a way to make this nightmare end, and I will find it,” Jonathan said confidently. He looked around the common area. They had just finished lunch and all of the residents of Moorford had slowly worked their way out. “My brother will be able to help.”

It had been two days since they attacked the cannibal camp. Jonathan had spent it with Guillermo and Laikynn. He was glad to see that Guillermo and Reese had been talking quite a bit. The thought that staying would be for the best was impossible to sway. Set on finding his brother, Jonathan managed to ignore that thought. After all, he was motivated by his thoughts of Emalynn. Not because maybe he had loved her, but because he knows that she is gone because she loved someone. As long as the fiends existed there would be no chance for him to love someone.

Regardless of what decision he would make, he could never shake the woman in the forest from his memory. The look she gave him as she handed him her dead baby burned brightly under his eyelids every time he closed his eyes. Her baby, a bloody mess; the aftermath of the brutality he allowed to happen. He didn’t want to stay here.

“How many do you have?” he asked.

“How many what?” Laikynn replied.

“You know what. I heard there are more fiends, caged, waiting to be unleashed on whoever happens to get on your bad side.” The words came out a little more bitter than he intended.

“I don’t know if you’ve gotten a good look at me, but I don’t have a bad side.” Laikynn gave him a wink. “There are more than I’ve counted, Jonathan,” she said flatly as she noticed he wasn’t in a playful mood. “They’re secure, and they’re only for our protection. Don’t think I have an army.”

“You do.”

“I don’t,” she said firmly, ending the argument. “When do you think you’re leaving?” she asked.

Jonathan looked across the common area at his friend. Guillermo was sitting at a table with Reese. The two have been almost inseparable since they started talking. They looked happy, and Jonathan didn’t want to ruin that. “I will leave the day after tomorrow. I will only take those that want to come with me.”

“You don’t want to lose him,” Laikynn stated. “Take Reese with you.”

“I cannot ask her to leave her home.”

“She looks at home with him.”

“I will ask him to stay.” Jonathan said. “I do not think I can do this without him, but he has been far too kind to me. He deserves to find happiness and a comfortable home.”

Laikynn nodded in the direction of the door as Tyler and Layla came in and waved at her. “What about them?”

“Everyone is free, Laikynn. I have no control over any of them.” Jonathan watched as Tyler and Layla walked toward them.

“You’re too young to be so noble and wise, Jonathon.” Laikynn reached out and squeezed Jonathan’s hand tightly.

“Can we talk to you guys for a minute?” Tyler asked as they stood at the end of the table where Laikynn and Jonathan were seated.

“Of course, Tyler. What is going on?” Jonathan smiled up at them.

The couple sat down across of them. They both had confused smiles on their faces. Both looked happy, yet there was a hint of sadness. “Layla’s–“ Tyler started but was quickly interrupted.

“I’m pregnant,” Layla said. Her smile was wide yet anxious. She looked as though she awaited the approval of her parents.

“Congratulations!” Jonathan exclaimed. He stood up and hugged Layla across the table then reached for Tyler’s hand.

“Thanks,” Tyler said.

“What is wrong?” Jonathan asked, sensing hesitation from Tyler.

“We’ve been talking. We think it is best if we stay here.” Tyler looked away from Jonathan.

“This is exciting news!” Laikynn chimed in. “I’ll just step over here.” She stood and began to walk away, but Layla called to her.

“Please stay. This involves you as well.” Laikynn sat down at her request. “After all, we need your approval to stay, right?”

“You certainly have it, lass,” Laikynn said merrily. “We need to celebrate! With a pint! Well, I’ll drink yours,” Laikynn said as if she was taking one for the team.

“You are welcome to make your own choices,” Jonathan said. “Given the circumstances I think it is a great idea for you to stay. It may be cold here, but at least it is safe. You need to think about the new addition to your family before you concern yourself with helping me find mine.”

“Thanks for understanding, Jonathan,” Tyler said. After another round of hugs and handshakes, the couple headed off toward Guillermo to spread the news.

Laikynn had prepared a celebration in honor of Tyler and Layla’s exciting news. A large bonfire in the center of town cast its light on the surrounding mountains. There was music and beer, and all of the fresh food they had on hand was cooked and laid out in a large feast.

“Jonathan!” Laikynn called. She came walking from the common area toward the fire where Jonathan stood. “I want you to meet a good friend of ours, Eric. Eric, this is Jonathan.”

“Nice to meet you, Jonathan. Laikynn talks about you pretty much nonstop,” he said. He was shorter than Jonathan, in his early-forties, and had short brown hair with a friendly face.

“I do not!” Laikynn exclaimed blushing. “Anyway, Eric is our master brewer. He can make a perfect stout from anything.”

Jonathan smiled. Laikynn looked like she had been hitting the stout a little hard already. “It is very nice to meet you, sir,”

“There are so many people here that want to thank Guillermo. He has taught our farmers how to build better greenhouses and grow all year long. Too bad none of that is ready yet.” She chuckled as she spooned some thin soup out of a bowl she had been carrying.

“He is amazing with the plants,” Jonathan agreed. “Have you seen Elliot anywhere? I have not seen him in days.”

“I didn’t want to say this, but I think he is staying here, also. He too heard about our hordes in the mountains – maybe we need to talk about a little secrecy around here – anyway he has been up at the cages since. He is very interested in our security here.” Laikynn pointed out.

“He is welcome to stay as long as you are fine with it. I think it may be best if I head out on my own, anyway.”

“Or maybe I’ll go with you,” Laikynn said, stepping closer to him. Jonathan could smell the alcohol as it overpowered her sweet scent.

“Don’t these people need you?”

“Not if they have Elliot and Guillermo,” she replied. “I think the two of them could build something amazing here if given the chance.”

“Jonathan! Laikynn!” yelled Tyler. “Jonathan!” Tyler waved frantically as he ran down toward them.

“What is it?” Jonathan asked.

“There are people coming down the mountains. Lots of people. I didn’t think there were any other populated towns nearby.” Tyler hunched over as he tried to catch his breath.

Elliot stood in a narrow man-made cave. He was amazed by how many fiends they were able to squeeze into each cave. There were three total, each one was essentially one large cage. Over the course of several months they worked to dig out the caves. Small explosives did most of the work. When Laikynn was happy with their depth they put up the iron bars that held the fiends captive.

He admired the simplicity of the doors used to allow them to put the fiends in without any escaping. Most of all, he admired the level of security that each cave had. No one would even know they were there. The entrances were covered in large sheets. Different colors were used depending on the season. Primitive but effective.

The three caves were spread out over a half mile, and at any time there were three guards in each one. Elliot’s first suggestion was using the high elevation on the surrounding mountains to place a guard or two so they can be alerted of any “guests” before they arrived. The town’s people were thrilled to have Elliot’s expertise.

Unfortunately, the three guards in each cave lay dead. There wasn’t a single shot fired. There was no warning. There was no escaping their inevitable deaths. Elliot lured the first group close, and while they stood comfortably in front of him he slit their throats with one motion. Their blood drenching his clothes as it spewed from their necks.

He stumbled into the next cave, feigning injury, and as the guards came to his aid, he cut into them with unnervingly deadly precision. The third cave was just as quick, and just as bloody. Elliot certainly wasn’t deranged, so being covered in their blood was not something that he was thrilled about. It was, however, a part of war. And his orders were simple, to put an end to the war.

Elliot rigged small charges to the bars in each cave. He climbed high into the mountains and detonated those charges, blowing the cages apart. The noise from the party in town would be just enough to cover the explosions. His only real gamble was hoping he wouldn’t start an avalanche. Poor planning on the part of the town would do the rest. The mountain layout created a one way path from the caves right into the town below. He would have never put his friends and family in the way of an undead stampede waiting to happen. Elliot’s early estimates had him believing there were only three or four-hundred fiends in each cave, but as he watched them pour out he knew there were far more.

“There aren’t other towns anywhere in the mountains that I know of. Perhaps one of those damned cannibals escaped. Brought back an army,” Laikynn said as she walked unsteadily into a clearing to have an open view of the mountain. “They are coming from that way?” she asked. Her eyes opened wide as she saw the undead mass moving down the mountain like an avalanche.

“Yeah, Layla and I were taking a walk up that way. We saw them coming down toward us. She ran back to the hotel. I came here to tell you,” Tyler stated.

“Shit!” screamed Laikynn. “Eric, get everyone inside the common area. Anybody with a gun needs to load it.”

Brew Master Eric heard the urgency in her voice and reacted quickly despite being a little tipsy from his own alcohol.

“What is it?” asked Tyler.

“The cages,” Jonathan said as he realized what it was.

“Tyler, get Layla to the common area and try to help the others. Eric will show you what to do when you get in there. Jonathan, grab Guillermo and come with me.”

Jonathan yelled for Guillermo from across the fire. He was sitting on a bench with Reese sharing a blanket. At first, Guillermo just waved back with a smile, but soon sensed the urgency, stood up, and jogged toward Jonathan.

“What’s going on?” Guillermo asked, concerned.

“We have an enormous problem, Guillermo,” Jonathan responded and pointed up the mountain.

Just as Guillermo looked where Jonathan was pointing, screams erupted from the town.  The confused residents hustled into the common area, assuming at first that a storm was approaching, but as they finally caught a glimpse of the horde as it poured into town they began to panic. They realized why some of the men were packing weapons. What was once their organized shelter plan became a chaotic scramble to make their way to safety.

The snowy-white path that led up into the mountains north of the small town was filled with bodies. It resembled a parade, marching down the street. Only this parade was pestilence, and the occasion was death. Most of this undead army was covered in the powdery snow from numerous slips and falls. Although the cold slowed them down, the momentum from their decent carried them more quickly than anyone expected.

The panicked scramble that the town had become had made it hard for anyone to accomplish what they set out to do. Many of the residents sought refuge in their homes while others ran to find their children. Some of them prepared to defend their town. But none of them were ready for what happened next.

Unseen by the town, the roof of the large tin building opened. The building trembled as the blades of the helicopter spun powerfully, lifted it out and into the air. Elliot checked to confirm the cage had cleared the opening and flew the helicopter toward Moorford. He wanted to make sure he completed his mission. He would stop the war. He would
win
this war.

“What is that?” Jonathan asked as he heard the rumble in the distance. There was no need to await an answer, however, as the helicopter quickly came into view. It flew low enough that the powerful gusts of wind knocked down some of the undead horde that was set to overwhelm the town and shrouded them in a cloud of snowy powder.

“Who is that?” Laikynn asked. She was furious at the thought that some filthy cannibal had taken over the caves up north and stole her helicopter.

“Elliot,” Jonathan and Laikynn said simultaneously. Jonathan had moments of suspicion about Elliot, but he would have never expected to be betrayed by him.

“Could it be Elliot?” Laikynn asked, doubting that she could have allowed someone into her camp only to be betrayed twice. The helicopter approached quickly. “He wouldn’t do that to us, would he?”

“I really hope not.”

“Well I’ve got something for whoever it is.” Laikynn ran toward the small house that she had made her home.