Journal of the Undead (Book 1): Littleville Uprising (34 page)

Kate waited until Evan was out of sight before she rinsed the dish soap from her hands and pulled off her apron.

“Where are you going, Kate?” Rose asked as she suppressed a snicker. “I thought you weren’t getting involved.”

“I
told
them to go easy on her,” Kate fumed as she pushed through the door. “Gutting deer doesn’t exactly fall into that category.”

Kate stalked to the garage and yanked open the door. Ray caught Kate’s elbow and pulled her back.

“Now Kate,” Ray began gently. “I know your boy went and got you all riled up but just hold on a minute. Take a look for yourself; she’s fine. In fact, she’d doing a hell of a lot better than R.J.; he nicked the bowels and now he’s puking all over the place.”

Kate saw Ray was right. Emma, covered up to her elbows in blood, was inspecting a kidney as she listened intently to Doc’s instructions. Meanwhile, R.J. heaved into a bloody pail.

“Poor R.J.,” Kate giggled and left the garage reassured that Emma was handling it quite well.

***

Still sulking, Evan waited, not too patiently, for Emma. His cousins had tried to cheer him up but he was far too angry to be social. Emma was almost breathless as she darted into her room for clean clothes and a towel.

“Oh Emma, look at you. You’re covered in blood. I’m so sorry,” Evan sighed.

“Sorry? Why? I learned more this morning than I ever would have in Mr. Raybach’s biology class. It was great!” Emma caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and laughed. “I really need a shower though. I’m all gross.”

Evan shook his head in disbelief as Emma gathered her things and headed off to the shower.

***

Doc was looking for Evan but didn’t have to search long to find his godson. He waited silently down the hall until Emma had disappeared into the bathroom.

“If you’re all through with your little temper tantrum, I’d like a word with you.” Doc said calmly.

Embarrassed, Evan felt his cheeks burn red as he muttered, “Yes, sir.”

“That’s quite a girl you’ve got there. She’ll make a damn fine doctor. I’ve never seen anyone so enthusiastic about learning.”

Evan nodded in agreement and waited for Doc to continue.

“Look, I’m going to need someone strong and competent to help me in the hospital wing. I’m not going to be able to ascertain what she’ll be capable of if you’re going to pitch a fit every time I give her an assignment. I’m not trying to hurt her, Evan. I thought you knew me better than that.”

“I know. I really am sorry.”

“Yeah well, you’re not the first guy to act a little nuts over a girl,” Doc laughed as he ruffled Evan’s hair. “But if you act like that again, I’m gonna put a boot in your ass! You know better. C’mon, let’s go get some lunch. Can you believe Emma’s stomach was actually growling while she was working? Even after R.J. accidentally cut open the intestines she kept asking how much longer until lunch. Ha! That kid must have a cast iron stomach.”

Freshly showered and completely ravenous, Emma practically sprinted to the dining hall. In between bites of her sandwich and spoonfuls of homemade chicken noodle soup, Emma prattled enthusiastically about her anatomy lesson. She was so enthralled that she did not realize that the other girls had gotten up and moved to another table. It wasn’t until her in-depth description of a deer heart cross section that Matt kicked his twin under the table and glared at her.

“Ow! What was that for?” Emma whined.

“People are trying to eat. Cut it out!” Matt said defensively, not wanting to admit she was grossing him out.

Emma muttered a feeble apology and silently picked at her sandwich.

“You can tell me all about it later,” Evan whispered in her ear. Hoping for a smile, Evan kissed the spot on her neck where Emma was ticklish.

“Ugh! Again, people are
trying
to eat!” Matt grumbled sarcastically.

This time it was Emma who kicked her twin under the table and laughed.

“Hey, Doc wanted me to get volunteers for this afternoon,” Emma began excitedly. “We’re going to review vitals. Evan, will you help me? Mike? How about you?”

“Ah, good. You’re rounding up guinea pigs, I see,” Doc chuckled.

“Evan and Mike volunteered and Matt will come too.”

“Hey, Matt, I guess you were volun
told
!” Mike quipped.

***

Over the next few weeks, Emma practiced taking vitals and studied Doc’s textbooks. For practice, Doc had handed out fake symptoms to the older kids and even some of the adults so that Emma could perform routine tests and formulate a diagnosis. In no time, Emma was adept at drawing blood and even starting an IV. Evan was beginning to feel like a pincushion but he always volunteered when Emma needed another guinea pig. Matt joked that every time Evan took a drink, water sprayed out of all the holes and soon he’d only be useful as a lawn sprinkler. Each day Doc grew more attached to his new apprentice and Emma looked to him as a surrogate father.

Meanwhile, Matt had taken on more responsibilities and worked closely with Ray. Together, they would scour the woods searching for and eliminating zombies. When Ray assembled larger hunting parties, they would sweep out to town destroying ghouls as they went. Occasionally, they brought some locals back with them. Bev often joked that Ray was like a little kid bringing home stray puppies, but the newcomers were always welcomed warmly and treated like part of the family.

FRANK

The soft perfume of Kate’s body enveloped Frank as he pulled her closer. Her kiss was sweet, almost intoxicating, and filled Frank’s heart with longing. He tenderly swept Kate’s hair back as his lips brushed the contour of her neck.

“Gosh, I’ve missed you, Kate,” Frank breathed in her ear.

He effortlessly lifted Kate in his arms and carried her to their bed. Kate leaned over, clicked off the lamp, and lifted her shirt over her head.

“No,” Frank whispered in a husky voice. “Please, leave the light on. I want to see you. I need to.”

Kate giggled as Frank turned the light back on. Wondering what he had done to deserve the lovely angel lying next to him, Frank drank in her beauty. Caressing her silky skin, Frank slipped off her clothes and let them fall to the floor.

“Oh Frank,” Kate sighed. “I love you.”

Frank could feel his heart racing. It seemed like an eternity since they had been together and Frank’s desire was all-consuming. Kate returned Frank’s kisses with unbridled passion as she held her husband tightly.

“Oh, Major Stone,” Kate sighed. “Major Stone.”

Major Stone?
Since when does Kate call me Major Stone?
Frank thought. Despite his kisses, Kate’s sighs turned to shouts.

“Major Stone? Major Stone. MAJOR STONE!”

Frank’s eyes snapped open and a pimply-faced private was standing over him.

“Major Stone, sir, are you awake?” the private asked.

“I am now,” Frank groaned and rubbed his bleary eyes.

“Sir, the enemy has been spotted. They’re about two miles away. We thought you should know, sir,” the private blurted out anxiously.

“Two miles, huh? You haven’t seen these things in action have you, son? I could have slept for a few more hours.”

Looking at the soldier standing in front of him, Frank was certain the boy could hardly be older than his son, Evan. The nervous private stammered an apology and took his leave. Frank glanced at his watch and slumped back down on his cot. No wonder he couldn’t shake the exhaustion; it had only been two hours since he’d first closed his eyes.
And what a pity
, Frank thought.
Dreams like that shouldn’t be interrupted.

Frank closed his eyes and let his thoughts wander back to Kate. How he missed her smile, the way she tossed her hair, the little flecks of gold in her warm brown eyes, and her soft skin. He could almost picture Kate lying in their bed with her long hair fanned out over the pillows and her soft cotton nightgown hugging the graceful curves of her body. This time, it was the dull throb in his groin that interrupted Frank’s dream.

For crying out loud
, Frank scoffed,
what am I, eighteen
? He got up and splashed some water on his face. No, the lines etched in his face were proof he was a far cry from eighteen.
Well, at least I don’t need Viagra
, Frank thought, chuckling to himself.

Pulling on his coat, Frank stepped out into the brisk night air. In a few hours he and what was left of their battalion would stand against the horde of undead milling toward them.

It had been three months since he’d last spoken with his family. He hadn’t been there for Lucy’s birthday, the holidays came and went without exchanging gifts, and he rang in the New Year targeting monsters. Every single night, he prayed that Kate, Evan and Lucy had made it to the cabin safely. Before the power grid went dark, Frank would call the home number just to hear Kate’s voice on the answering machine. He sighed, knowing there was no way to reach them without going there himself. Even before the outbreak, there were no phone lines at the cabin, and cell coverage was nonexistent. He had to rely on his faith that they were okay. Frank had decided that if he made it through the coming battle, he would rejoin his family.

Over the past month, all other high-ranking officers had slowly disappeared from Frank’s makeshift base. Additionally, some of his peers and their subordinates had slipped off in the night, while many others had deserted when their C.O. was ripped to shreds during a siege. Compounding their struggles, the supply lines had been shut down and orders had ceased to come through at all. His standing command was to eliminate the wave of zombies coming in from the north—at last count they numbered in the thousands. Frank tried numerous times to reach H.Q. for his next mission, but there was no response.

As the current highest ranking officer, Major Frank Stone made an executive decision; once the immediate threat was eliminated, he would discharge those who survived. He, himself, would be heading to West Virginia to join his family.

***

Frank made a quick lap around the perimeter to check for gaps in their defenses. Since the town had no military bases nearby, they’d shipped out survivors and built their own walls and fences around a cluster of buildings that hadn’t burned to the ground in the initial siege. Keeping out the flesh-eaters meant regular checks for gaps and cracks. Eager young soldiers straight out of boot camp and non-military volunteers made up the majority of his ranks, and Frank wondered how many would survive to go home to their mothers. Still, he knew that what his group lacked in experience, they made up for in fortitude. These were the men who were too loyal, or perhaps too foolish, to abandon their posts. Either way, Frank was grateful they were still with him.

A sudden noise stopped Frank in his tracks. He released the safety on his weapon and, using his scope, silently scoured the area for the source of the rustling. He paused when he heard a squeal followed by a girlish giggle and then removed his finger from the trigger. He decided to let the hanky-panky continue. Once upon a time, Frank would have put a stop to their antics, but this was a very different type of war.

Now, more than ever, there’s no guarantee of making it through the night. They wouldn’t be the first to seek comfort in the arms of another before battle,
Frank laughed to himself.
And they won’t be the last.

From privates to generals, at some point everyone needed to feel the warm embrace of another. Thankful that Kate was the only woman he’d ever need, Frank chuckled and continued his rounds. His second-in-command, Captain Anthony Giovanni, sprinted across the compound calling Frank’s name.

“Sir, the enemy is about two miles north,” Capt. Giovanni reported. “We have our best snipers in the towers. Everyone else will be up on the wall, just like you ordered. Sir, I heard Nelson woke you up. I’m sorry about that, sir. The kid means well but …”

A loud crash of metal on metal cut the captain off mid-sentence. The officers raced to the front gate where a crowd had gathered. As they pushed through the throng of soldiers, frantic high pitched shouts grew louder.

“No, I am not going to move my vehicle so don’t you ma’am me! Go get Captain Giovanni, now. NOW!” the woman shrieked.

“Angela? What are you doing here? I told you to stay in your apartment,” Captain Giovanni growled. “Why aren’t you with Maria?”

“I
am
with Maria!” Angela cried. “They burned down the apartment building. We didn’t know where else to go.”

Anthony’s face paled. He darted to the passenger side of the car and helped his wife, Maria, out. Laboring under the weight of her huge tummy, it was clear that Maria was in her last few weeks of pregnancy. Clutching her stomach, Maria gasped and closed her eyes.

“Baby, are you okay? Are you having contractions?” Anthony’s voice was thin and panicked.

“I’m fine, Anthony,” Maria sighed. With her thick, New York accent, it sounded more like she said ‘ant knee.’ “We’re both fine.”

Captain Giovanni gingerly stroked his wife’s belly and smiled. At Major Stone’s command, the gate was opened and Angela drove into the compound. The remaining soldiers were ordered back to their posts as Frank directed Angela to park on the opposite side of the supply shed. Anthony helped Maria as she slowly waddled toward the shed, stretching her sore, cramped legs. On the way, Maria explained that some of the locals had decided to take matters into their own hands.

“A small group of zombies wandered into town,” she explained. “The civilians tried to destroy them. They made a ghetto version of Molotov cocktails and burned down half of the town.”

With a hint of embarrassment, Maria admitted she had no idea where Angela found the car or how she got it started. They both had their suspicions but neither voiced them. With a heavy heart, Anthony told his wife that she and her sister couldn’t stay. Thousands of zombies were headed their way; it was no place for a pregnant woman. Maria tried to remain calm but her voice betrayed her.

“Where will we go? Who’s gonna protect us?”

Her hands instinctively shielded her stomach as frightened tears welled in Maria’s big brown eyes. Frank disappeared into the storage unit to give the couple a moment alone. When he returned, the major was carrying a large box stuffed with supplies and a sheet of paper tucked under his chin. Dropping the box into a military issue Humvee, Frank tossed the keys to Captain Giovanni. Then he unfolded the paper and handed it to his captain.

“These are directions and the coordinates to a compound in West Virginia,” Frank began. “You’ll be safe there, and we have an excellent doctor so Maria will be in good hands when the baby comes. When you get to the top of the mountain, leave the women in the vehicle and go inside the trailer. They’ll find you there. When they do, you ask for Ray McKenna, Dr. George Mitchell, or Kate Stone. I wrote the names down here. Tell them I sent you.”

“But sir, I can’t abandon the troops. I have a duty to …” the captain began but was quickly cut off.

“You have a duty
to follow orders
, Captain. Now, you get your butt in that vehicle and get these women to safety. That’s an order!”

Captain Anthony Giovanni saluted his commanding officer and replied, “Yes sir.”

Together, the two officers loaded a tank of fuel into the back then Anthony grabbed a couple of extra blankets for his wife. Overwhelmed with gratitude, a single tear slid down Maria’s cheek as she thanked Major Stone.

“Thank you so much, Major,” Maria whispered as she kissed Frank’s cheek. “God bless you.” Clutching the gold cross hanging from a slender chain around her neck, Maria added, “I’ll be praying for you.”

“Thank you, Ma’am. That means a lot to me,” said Frank. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, when you get there would you tell my wife and kids I love them and I’ll see them soon?”

Maria promised it would be the first thing she did. Anthony boosted his wife into the passenger side and Angela tried to cushion her with the blankets. Anthony shook Frank’s hand and thanked him.

“Please don’t make a liar out of my wife. You’d better be right behind us, sir,” said the captain. “And … thank you, sir!”

As the Giovannis drove off, Frank locked the back gate behind them and said a silent prayer for their safety.

The
thrum
of helicopter blades overhead reminded Frank he had more pressing concerns. Lieutenant Kevin Brock, their only pilot, had been sent out on reconnaissance and Frank hoped there might be good news for a change. After the initial formalities, Frank pressed for details.

“Well sir, I’ve got good news and bad. Which would you rather have first?”

“Let’s have the good news,” Frank said optimistically.

“There’s about three thousand zombies less than a mile north and headed this way, Sir.” Lieutenant Brock replied.

“That’s the
good
news? Do I even want to hear the bad news?”

“No, sir, probably not. There’s a second wave about eight, maybe ten, miles behind the first and it’s much bigger. Almost double, sir.”

Frank sighed heavily and decided it would be best to assemble the troops.

***

Immediately after being summoned, his ragtag group of soldiers fell into formation and awaited their orders. Major Frank Stone had always been a man of few words. He never believed in sugarcoating the facts. With blunt honesty, he told his men what they were about to face.

“This enemy is not like any you’ve been trained for,” the major said sternly. “So, you need to forget your training and do exactly as I tell you and when I tell you or you’ll die. It’s that simple. As you know, our supply lines have been shut down so it is imperative that we conserve ammo. They may look like humans, but never forget that they aren’t. Shooting off a spray of live rounds won’t do any good. You might as well just toss the ammo in the toilet and flush. Aim for the head only. Take clean shots. Stay up on the wall and out of their reach! The first wave should be here within the hour, so everyone get to your posts. Dismissed.”

Up in the watchtower, a handful of soldiers cleaned their weapons as they kept watch and waited to sound the alarm. From the compound below, Major Stone could hear their banter.

“I can’t wait to wipe these suckers out so everything can get back to normal. It’s friggin’ Monday night. I should be down at the bar with a couple of cheese steaks and an ice-cold beer watching my Eagles stomp the Cowboys; not freezing my nuts off waiting for a bunch of walking corpses.”