Zombies On The Rock (Book 3): The Republic of Newfoundland Page 9

  “The surgery was a success, but there is something you need to know.” Tracy’s voice sounded harsher than ever before.

  “We control your ability to see.” David Steele’s booming voice startled Jason.

  “If you can cooperate you will be allowed to see.” Tracy interrupted David before he could continue. “Let me show you.”

  The world exploded to life around Jason. Tracy’s golden blonde hair caught the glimmer of the bright light above her. Her once perfect skin was riddled with cuts and scrapes, but her light blue eyes had not be damaged by the harshness of the world except for a few tiny red lines. Jason noticed Tracy had lost a lot of weight. Her cheek bones were more defined now. “You look beautiful.” Jason wanted to reach out and placed his hand on her check, but his arms were sill constrained by the leather straps.

  “I can’t believe we found each other,” Tracy said, softly.

  Jason looked around the room. The metal counter tops were filled with tools and first aid supplies. The shiny surface of the cabinets that hung from the wall reflected the light from the ceiling back at Jason. It was almost blinding. Jason wore a white hospital gown. A smear of blood stained the neck line. Jason looked down to see a blue blanket tucked in just above his belly button, covering the his arms and legs. David lurked in what seemed to be the only shadow in the room, but he was much bigger than the dark little corner he rested in. His bald head was covered by stubbly growth and his five o’clock shadow was light blonde, barely visible except for when the light caught one of the hairs. He looked back at Tracy. She held a tiny black remote with several small, colourful buttons. She gripped it tightly in her hand and when she noticed Jason staring at it, she pressed a big red button.

  Jason’s vision went as white as a sheet of paper in an instance. “What happened?” Jason blurted out, not ready to give up his sight. “Please help!” Jason called out to Tracy, not expecting sympathy from David.

  “Mrs. Cook, I believe you have a mission to carry out. I’ll take that from here.” David ordered. Without objection, Tracy stood up and walked out of the room silently. Her light footsteps echoed as she walked away.

  “Tracy.” Jason called out over and over again. There was no response. The only noise he could hear was David tinkering with some of the tools on the counter.

  “Now Mr. Cook, if you could be a good soldier like your wife has become, your life would be so much better than it was before.” David was calm, the anger in his voice was nearly undetectable. “You have the tools to be valuable weapon.”

  “What are you talking about, you piece of shit?” Jason snarled. He tried to close his eyes, but he couldn’t shield the bright white light.

  “I’m talking about the choice you have. You can work for us or against us. Your choice. I’m sure I don’t need to explain the pros and cons of each.” David mocked Jason.

  “What use could you possibly have for me? I thought a beast like you would enjoy doing his own dirty work.” Jason shuddered at the unimaginable task David refused to carry out.

  “Oh I do enjoy getting my hands dirty. Sometimes I leave the blood on my hands for days. You know, I still haven’t washed all the blood from your buddy’s neck away yet.” David chuckled.

  “You’re an animal.” Jason could see Nick’s sad eyes looking back at him, an expression of disappointment on his face.

  “You may be right. I won’t deny that Mr. Cook. However, I have my orders from Mr. Purchase and he needs something taken care of that I simply cannot do on my own.” David’s thunderous footsteps approached Jason’s bed. “You see there was a reason we chose to remain here in Newfoundland during the outbreak. We estimated that it would have one of the highest survival rates in the world based on several factors.”

  Jason couldn’t deny that he thought about all of those factors before the outbreak took place. He would spend hours strategizing where he would go during an outbreak and how he would store supplies away at a remote cabin deep in the woods. “What the hell is your point? Or are you just running your mouth trying to entertain me?” Jason quipped.

  “We weren’t the only ones to do this research. It would appear and a large group of survivors have left their underground bunkers to come live here. The Silver Skull Cartel have arrived here.” David paused for dramatic effect. “They are interfering with our plans to take over the world. Our planned apocalypse didn’t go as we envisioned and we lost several of our soldiers. I can’t fight these men alone. That’s where you will come in.”

  Jason had watched several documentaries on the notorious Silver Skull Cartel and their ties with the Highway Hangmen. “What do you want me to do? I’m only one man.”

  “You can help me ambush their leader, try to make it look like one of the Highway Hangman tried to seize the power.” David placed his hands around Jason’s neck and methodically tightened his grip. “I don’t know why I’m wasting my time telling you the details. I want an answer now or Tracy will suffer for an eternity after you’re gone.”

  Jason struggled to breath, he was helpless against David’s forceful grip. “I’ll help.” Jason squeezed the words past David’s vice like grip. If he was ever going to have his revenge he needed to wait for the right moment. David relinquished his vice-like grip and shortly after the room became visible again for Jason. David stood towering over Jason, staring down at him with murderous rage and a sly grin on his face. “I’ll do whatever it takes, just tell me what to do.” Jason did his best to sound submissive, fighting back the urge to lash out at David.

  “You just get some rest now. I’ll be back after the doctor has cleared you for service.” David turned to walk away but he stood in the door frame for a moment. “This should make you feel more comfortable.” David laughed as he flicked of the light and cast the room into complete darkness as he closed the door. His wicked laughter could be heard as he walked down the hallway.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN:

  RUNNING

  Private Byrne raced ahead, his boots sinking down deep into the freshly fallen snow. He could feel the muscles in his thigh tightening around his knee, each step was an effort to pull his boot out of the hole it had just sank into. His breath was laboured and the cold air stung his lungs as he drew in deep breaths, it felt like icicles were forming in his chest. His orders were to take out any threats on the path to the vehicles. Warrant Smith didn’t want to risk putting Tina in danger. The trucks had been left on a side road just outside of Grand Falls and there had not been any signs of zombies anywhere close to town; the Highway Hangman had done an exceptional job of keeping their city safe from the dead. It was unfortunate they had turned the innocent civilians into slaves. Now they would have to be dealt with.

  The snow was starting to fall heavier now. Byrne kept scouring the side of the highway, looking for the old dirt road, but it was becoming difficult to distinguish between the highway and the side of the roads. Byrne looked over his shoulder. The rest of the soldiers were out of sight and he took a moment to walk and catch his breath. He knew that the road was just before the bridge, across from the old service station. He could see the outline of a cluster of large buildings through the falling snow.

  His pace quickened once again. He could see the gas pumps in front of an old battered building. The trucks had been covered in green mesh and tree branches to help conceal them in the tree line. Byrne wouldn’t have seen them if he didn’t know where to look. The snow had partly covered the fallen tree branches. The vehicles weren’t too far from the highway, but the amount of snow that had fallen risked trapping them in the woods. Byrne looked for signs of activity near the trucks, but he couldn’t spot any. He got to work pulling the branches off the trucks and hauling away the giant green mesh that had been thrown over them. Most of the vehicles had seen better days, but a large green jeep stood out as the worst. Rust had eaten away the metal around the wheel wells and the front bumper was nearly disintegrated. The front windshield had a large spider crack on the driver’s side that took up mos
t of the view. The passenger side mirror was missing and the driver’s mirror was barely hanging on. Byrne imagined that the jeep had recently rolled over, probably on the drive here. Why else would they take this piece of shit?

  “You can have that one.” Sergeant Doucette had managed to catch up to the young private without making a sound.

  “You really need to stop sneaking up on me like that.” Byrne felt his heart skip a beat.

  “You need to be aware of your surroundings, young man.” Doucette held out a pair of keys. “It’s the lead vehicle. Get it moving.”

  “It’s not my style.” Byrne didn’t want to drive the jeep. It looked like it was an accident waiting to happen.

  “There are smokes in the glove box. Help yourself to them,” the sergeant said, as he walked over to the green ranger truck. It looked like it had seen better days, but at least it looked road worthy.

  Byrne opened the driver’s side door to a loud creak. He was afraid it was going to fall off the hinges. The inside of the jeep was frigidly cold. The faux leather interior was covered in mud and grime. He put the keys in the ignition slowly, afraid of breaking off the rusted key. The engine turned over but wouldn’t start. “God damn it.” He punched the steering wheel and tried again. With a low rumble, the motor started to groan but quickly sputtered out. Byrne tried this several times before the engine finally rumbled to life. By this time, most of the soldiers had arrived at the vehicles. The passenger door opened and a woman pulled herself up into the passenger seat.

  The woman was wearing the rank of chief warrant but Byrne had never met her before. He recognized her framed picture from the wall next the regimental sergeant majors office. She had built a reputation quickly amongst her peers and was a welcome change to the old Chief Warrant of the battalion, who was a bitter old man with no interest in the lower ranks. “Are you sure you want to ride in this bucket of rusted bolts chief.” The young private was intimidated by the rank.

  “This bucket of rusted bolts will do just fine. We have lots of work that needs to be done, so let’s get this jeep moving.” Her voice was hoarse and raspy. Her brown eyes were blood shot and her green knit hat was pulled down covering her eyebrows.

  “So where is it that we are heading?” Byrne asked, only now realizing that no one had told him the big plan. Each order only painted a smaller picture of the larger mission. He had no earthly idea what they had planned to do. He pressed on the gas and was surprised that it started to roll along with ease, the tires gripping into the snow. Byrne had to lean over towards the passenger seat to see out of the window, the large crack obstructing his view from his side. He felt uncomfortably close to the chief.

  “Well, we are heading to Gander to clear the airport with a small group.” The chief responded as she searched the pockets of her winter parka and cursed when she couldn’t find what she was looking for.

  “Did you forget something?” Byrne felt nervous. A soured look full of spite crossed the chief’s face.

  “I forgot my damn smokes.” She double checked her pockets. “Where the hell did I put them?” She continued patting her pockets over and over.

  Byrne remembered that there was supposed to be smokes in the glovebox. “Check the glove box.”

  The chief opened the compartment and a stack of papers dumped into her lap. A pack of cigarettes followed close behind and fell to the floor. She stuffed the papers back into the glove box and slammed it shut before she bent over to pick up the cigarettes. She opened a pack and pulled out a fag, placing it between her lips. She lit the cigarette and took a long drag before offering it to Byrne.

  Byrne gladly took the cancer stick and inhaled deeply, feeling a connection with the chief. “So why would we bother to head to the airport? Seems kinda pointless, I think the zombie virus has affected the entire world.” Byrne had heard the rumours that a few places around the globe had survived, but he found that hard to believe. Russia was said to be thriving, that the extreme cold weather made the zombies sluggish and their army was ready to deal with the rising dead. It didn’t seem likely that was true, but if it was he knew where he wanted to go. The northern base Alert was the furthest settlement north in the world and the coldest place on earth where humans lived.

  “Well, since it’s going to be a rather long drive and I’d rather not sit here in awkward silence I may as well tell you. You can call me Suzanne by the way. I hate being called chief. It makes me feel old.” Suzanne held out her hand and Private Byrne shook it, surprised by her firm grip. “I’m sure you heard Sergeant Doucette talking about the attack planned on Grand Falls?”

  “Yeah he mentioned it, not sure why that’s the plan,” Byrne said as he turned the jeep onto what he thought was the road. The snow was quickly building up now. The bridge was just ahead and Byrne kept his speed to a minimum, making sure he wouldn’t get stuck while also preventing the tires from slipping and forcing him off track.

  “Well, this bridge here, just outside of Botwood, could be used to prevent the East coast herd from roaming through the rest of the island.” Suzanne looked out the window. “I’ve never seen so many of those dead freaks together in one place. There must have been hundreds of thousands of the shambling corpses wandering around together. It’s why we had to leave the station and head out here.”

  Byrne didn’t understand why they would secure the airport if the threat of those zombies were heading this way. “I still don’t understand why we need to secure the airport.”

  “You will shortly. It will all make sense when I tell you where the other group is heading.” Suzanne puffed rings of smoke. “The other group is heading to Corner Brook, but our reinforcements are still in Argentia. It’s too dangerous to drive back there without the ammo that is locked in the vault at the armories in Corner Brook.” She passed the cigarette back to Byrne and placed another one in her mouth.

  “So we are going to steal a plane.” Byrne laughed.

  “You can’t steal something that you already own. Our airbus was stranded at the Gander tarmac when a herd of zombies swarmed the tower. Our mission is to secure the plane and get to Deer Lake to meet Warrant Smith and his team in Corner Brook. Then when we get the ammo we are going to take over Grand Falls, by force if necessary, and move the soldiers trapped in Argentia there. We will control the bridge and methodically take down the zombies herd.” Suzanne’s plan was ambitious, but she sounded confident. “Once that herd is gone, Newfoundland should be the safest place in the world and the Republic of Newfoundland will rise.”

  “So we are going save the world?” Byrne laughed again. “No pressure.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN:

  CHANCE ENCOUNTER

  Eric walked over to the wood closet and opened the door. A hunk of wood toppled out and narrowly avoided hitting his toes. He bent over to pick it up and felt a strain in his lower back, such a simple task shouldn’t have caused so much agony. “God damn it.” Eric muttered to himself as he lifted the log up to his chest, pinning it there with both arms.

  “I thought you were supposed to be getting rest.” Hank appeared in the doorway behind him. Sasha bounced in behind him and shook the snow from the hood of her jacket.

  “I decided to keep the fire going.” Eric tried to make a joke, but Hank wasn’t in the mood. “Any luck?”

  “Luck has nothing to do with it.” Hank dropped his shoulder and swung his backpack around. The zipper was bursting at the seam, the tiny metal teeth barely able to hold the loot that Hank had brought back with him.

  “That’s incredible, Hank.” Eric was astonished. He couldn’t believe Hank was able to find so much so quickly. They had been gone all night, but the sun had only started to crest the hills an hour ago. “Thank you.”

  Sasha walked over to the kitchen table and sat down to untie her boots. “How about you get the fire going? My feet feel like two blocks of ice.”

  Eric walked over to the fireplace and threw the log into the fire. The flames hungrily ate up the dry wood and called o
ut for more. “Did you find any antibiotics?”

  Hank unzipped the backpack and dumped the contents of the bag onto the floor. Cans of food rolled across the floor, warm looking clothes fell quietly to the floor, and four large light green containers rattled around, full of pills. “I found more than enough.”

  “Where did you find all of this?” Eric felt like things were finally looking up. “This is incredible.”

  “We scoured the old age home in Deer Lake,” Sasha said, proudly. “It was my idea.”

  “People don’t visit retirement homes in the best of times, and they continued to avoid them in the apocalypse. It was an educated conclusion, not luck.” Hank winked at Sasha. Hank took off his coat. It was probably two sizes too big but it was like brand new. “Guilty family members bought this expensive jacket as a gift.” Hank hung the green jacket on the back of a chair. “What are you smiling about over there?”

  Eric couldn’t help but laugh at Hanks proverbial “dad” sweater and chuckle. “The grand kids pick out that sweater for you?” Hank’s v-neck wool knit sweater looked like something you would have seen in an old comedy show on late night television. The deep burgundy wool was accented by a single two-tone strip. The yellow and red stripe looked ridiculous against the dark background.

  Hank let out a fake laugh, emphasizing each distinct sound with forced enthusiasm trying to hide a genuine smile. “It keeps me warm and it’s clean. Besides, I think it looks distinguished.” Hank slumped into the hard wooden chair and took off his seal skin boots. “Jealous?” Hank couldn’t help but notice Eric staring at his newly acquired gear.