Keep Going (Book 1): The Beginning Page 10
“You need a distraction.” The soldier said as he leaned in the doorway.
Petey tightened up his stance. Last time he listened to the soldier speak he was ready drink himself stupid. Alex turned to look at him with displeasure but willingly to listen as he did know this place better then anybody else. She sidestepped giving an invitation to join the table.
“Got any ideas, soldier?” She asked.
His military training became more evident in his sober state. His walk alone indicated that he had to be in the army; ready to follow any order given and stand proud.
“Most of the weapons we have are locked up at a different location on the base. However we do have a few choices here.” He motioned towards where the radios sat indicting that he desired to show them something. No one moved however until Alex nodded in approval.
He reached for a long case that was hidden underneath one of the stations. She was going to be pissed if it was just more liquor. Moving back to the small table it creaked again with protest as he laid the case down ever so gently. His nimble fingers snapped open latches. Raising the cover he revealed a long rifle. He took hold of it carefully and held it up showing it off.
“M21, semi-automatic sniper rifle with a 7.62x511 mm cartridge.” He rubbed the side of the gun lovingly that in fact Alex wasn’t even sure he was speaking to them as he kept his eyes on the long barrel. She sniffed loudly drawing his green eyes to her.
“Would you like us to leave you two alone?” She pointed towards the doors. Petey snickered from across the table.
“Leave him alone. He’s proud of his big gun.” Petey joined in, his voice sounding upbeat for the first time. Alex licked her lips trying to hold back a laugh as she continued on.
“Fair enough.” She raised her hands in mock defense. “I would be proud of my gun too if it were that big.”
The two let out burst of loud laughs. The sound completely out of place for the room but at the same time it felt right. Especially as the soldier smiled at the cheerful expressions the pair wore. Maybe he was wrong trying to bring them into his misery, maybe he should have followed them instead.
“I’m not going to respond to that.” He rolled his eyes.
Cupping the butt of the gun and leaning it against his shoulder. Alex was amazed how much of a soldier he really did look at that moment.
“There are some gas tanks not to far but far enough were if I shot one it’ll cause an explosion. It won’t be big enough to hurt us but it should distract those things out there long enough for us to get out.” He explained.
“How are you going to shoot it if we can’t get outside?” Petey asked bringing the original problem to light once again. The soldier put the gun back gently into the case and walked away. Petey and Alex followed wanting to know what he was looking for this time. He walked out of the small office his boots making a clicking noise as he lead them over to a long black ladder. He grasped one of the bars of the ladder and turned back to them.
“There is a widower’s watch on the roof, a small flat surface. I go up there and take out the tanks while you guys run.” He said.
“We’ll go up there.” Alex said. He shook his head.
“I don’t think…” “You’ll need someone covering your ass when you come down.” She said firmly letting him know that they weren’t leaving him behind. He wasn’t going to be sacrificed for them. She wouldn’t allow it. “I’ll go up with you and we’ll come down together.”
“Okay.” He muttered. “There’s a second gun. You won’t be using it up there but it’s too beautiful to leave behind.”
“Awesome I get my own big gun.” She joked.
“Hold on. Why do you guys have that?” Petey pointed upwards to the covered opening. The soldier looked up glaring at the opening as if it had done him wrong. Seeing that he was the last one here it might have.
“We had snipers up there but…” He trailed off knowing he didn’t need to finish. Alex put her hands on her hips and breathed deeply.
“Did they ever come back down? The snipers?” The question appeared to have awakened the forgotten soldiers that sat up above. Breaking the silence Alex pulled her machete out of its holding and passed her gun to the soldier. He took the smaller weapon and passed the rifle over to Petey who held it close to his body.
“Let’s do this.” He voiced.
Petey let out a string of concerns and worries as the pair ignored him and climbed the ladder. Soldier gripped the small handle of the cover and looked down making sure the woman behind him was ready. Machete in hand she nodded for him to proceed. He pushed the lid open lightly and peered outside. The sun blinded them for a moment but then allowed a clear view of his fallen brothers as they staggered around.
He flung the cover up and leaped out of onto the roof making quick to shoot and knock at the first monster to attack. Alex quickly followed catching one in the head using her foot to push it off her machete and off the roof.
“Behind you!’ Petey yelled from his place on the ladder. Alex and the soldier placed their backs together.
“Clear.” The solider said looking around.
“Clear.” Alex said.
Petey stepped onto the flat roof, looking around in amazement. "Not going to lie, that was actually pretty cool. Wow.”
It felt odd how they had fought together as if they had been doing so for years. Yet neither would complain at the trust that seemed to form almost seamlessly in battle. Soldier gave a nod. He stared to climb the slanted part of the roof in great urgency. Petey moved to Alex’s side as they watched him unsuccessfully crawl up.
“What’re you doing?” She asked playfully.
Realizing he wasn’t making any progress he let his body slide down the metal roof and fall flat on the asphalt. He looked like a child sitting flat on his butt with a pout on his face making him look years younger. Alex smiled warmly at the sight.
“I was going to knock down the ladder to keep them from coming up again.” He said defensively.
“Those things can climb a ladder?” Alex asked as she looked over the edge. “There are so many out there.”
Petey joined her; looking over all of them pounding at the doors trying to get in. It was amazing how after a short time the loud noise had become nothing more then a gentle hum mindlessly playing in the background of their world.
“Think they can swim?” He asked mindlessly.
“I don’t know. Why?” She asked.
“Maybe we get a boat. Clear off an island, if they can’t swim then that should be pretty safe, right?”
“I always did want to go to Hawaii.” Soldier got up from the ground and dusted off the invisible dirt from his clothes. He turned back to start his attempts.
“Wait! Don’t!” Petey shouted.
The loud cry startled the soldier making him lose his weak footing. His body fell with a hard thud and slid down the roof again on his belly. Alex busted out laughing, tears streamed from her eyes.
Ignoring the pain in his back the soldier couldn’t fight the laughter that boiled in him. They attempted at keeping the laughter low but it became difficult. Petey and Alex joined the soldier on the floor letting the pleasing energy take them over.
“Pete is there something you want to tell me?” The soldier asked.
He carelessly laid his back against the slanted part of the roof, folding his hands over his stomach.
Petey made a face hearing his name in such a manner sounded foreign to him but he brushed it off when he realized that they had never actually introduced themselves to the soldier. He had probably heard them say each other’s name. Come to think of it Petey didn’t know his name but that was a question for another time.
“I think I have a plan.”
He explained to them that instead of keeping the monsters out they should let them in. They stared at him bewildered but didn’t interrupt. He took that as a good sign at least. In fact they two closed their eyes as they tried to picture the plan he spoke of.
It sounded like a solid plan but there was one thing they needed to ask themselves.
“Who’s going to open the door?” Petey whispered the last part.
“I’ll do it.” The solider said with no hesitation.
“No.”
The word was spoken so softly it was almost missed but the tone behind it was strong. Alex had settled onto her back her head resting on her arms. Her face was completely neutral as she absorbed the sunlight.
“I think…”The soldier sat up ready to argue but was stopped by her commanding voice.
“I don’t care what you think. I need you up here covering our asses. You’re the only one trained to use that sniper gun, remember? I’m also faster then Maggie and you, Petey.” She didn’t open her eyes, she didn’t flinch instead she wiggled around getting more comfortable.
“End of discussion.” She cracked an eye open.
The two men would have challenged but knew it would fall on deaf ears and worst of all she was right. She always seemed to be right somehow. With a nod of their head Alex shut her eye. Kept them shut so they wouldn’t see the fear behind them.
“What about the other woman?” Solider asked.
Grumbling under her breath about losing a relaxed moment. Alex sat up and stretched her arms high above her head. Her bones cracked in the most pleasurable way. Many times Petey had thought of her as a cat but even more so in the rare rest moments. He knew that soon there would no more of those moments for a very, very long time.
“I’ll deal with Maggie.” She promised.
The three stayed up there until the sun started to set. They watched the beautiful colors dance around the sky. It was amazing what you missed in an ordinary day. Alex supposed a new ordinary would arise for them and the sunsets and roses would soon be forgotten once again. Stars littered the sky Petey had always been amazed by them. Growing up in the city he never really saw them at all. He was going to be seeing the stars all the time now.
They decided to head in, the weather turned from a cool breeze to a shivering cold as the sun ran away. Alex turned to step in but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
“Hang on a second.” Soldier said.
She got out of the ladder’s space and stepped to the side. Her back straight and her arms crossed she faced him ready for a fight. Yet he wasn’t there to fight. She had met this man as a drunken fool but then he revealed himself to be a soldier. Now though he looked just scared. His hands twitched as he looked anywhere but her.
Alex uncrossed her arms and relaxed her posture in hopes that he would speak again. He cracked his knuckles before reaching one hand behind him. He pulled out the revolved that Alex had given him and cradled it in his hands as if it weighed more then gold. Her stomach turned at the sight of it. She had been so angry and frustrated at the time now she felt horrible at the thought. Her posture slacked even more in grievance looking at the gun not willing to meet his eye.
“I’m not a revolver type of guy.” He chuckled.
He brought his eyes up turning the revolver in his hands and holding out the handle to Alex. She had prepared herself to be yelled at. She cautiously moved grasping the handle. It somehow felt like it was freezing despite being in the hands of the solider. She pulled it towards her but he didn’t let go yet forcing her eyes to his.
He wanted her to see the fight in his eyes; the willingness to survive that he was indeed a good man; a good soldier.
She responded with a nod of acknowledgement and released his hold. She tucked the gun in the back of her pants and smiled.
“Remind me to turn your gun. Don’t want you unarmed.” He smiled proudly as they descended back into the shed.
16
The three stood at the bottom of the ladder for a second trying to figure out what to do next. All Alex saw was how Maggie still had not moved can of peaches untouched. She had had enough of this childish act. There was a place and time when to act scared and this wasn’t it. They were all scared, she wasn’t special.
“Start packing.” She said before strolling towards Maggie.
“What’re you doing?” Petey asked concerned.
“Handling it.”
Her stride showed anger that she was ready to unleash. Coming up to the woman kneeling on the floor, she kicked the can of peaches that were left untouched drawing attention to her.
“Get up.” All sympathy gone.
“I said get up now.” Her voice held such a command it made the two men take a step back.
Not getting a response Alex let out a load growl and reached down. Grabbing Maggie by the collar of her shirt she dragged her up. Startled by the forcefulness she struggled to gain her footing but Alex and her anger was holding up most of her weight. The roughness snapped the men out of their thoughts and they rushed towards the two.
“Alex.” Petey said.
“No. Enough is enough.” She growled.
She pulled Maggie closer so that she could feel the warmth of her breath upon her lips, their noses almost touching.
“I have been patient. I have been nice but no more.” Fear rose in Maggie at the cold tone.
“I can’t…”She whimpered.
Alex shook her stopping her pitiful words.
“There is no more ‘I’ or ‘Me’ anymore; only ‘we’ and ‘us’ now.” She loosened her grip Maggie stumbled back a little but still felt the clenching of her shirt.
“We’ve carried your ass here but no more.” Maggie snarled at the words her, anger and fury finally coming to the surface.
“What’re we going to do?” She pulled on the word. “We got no safe place, there are zombies out there. We are fucking fucked!”
She got her footing and pushed against Alex’s hold. She released her but didn’t step away. Yes, this was the fight she wanted from the girl. She needed her to fight; she needed to push her harder.
“What’re you going to do? Uh? Drop to your knees and just give up? Waste away in here?” Alex knew what she had to say. Knew that this wasn’t enough, she knew exactly what to do to get the fire in this girl. Alex crawled into the depth of her mind. She chuckled darkly to herself. Rubbing her thumb against the small scar forming on the bottom of her lip. She cracked her neck ready to fight.
“Or you going the way of your boyfriend?” Alex said mockingly.
Maggie’s body tensed. She knew she had hit a never, Maggie was hiding this but no more Alex was going to push her right into the deep end.
“You know, Charlie? The guy you never asked what happened to when I came back alone and covered in blood.” She started to pace.
“I know what happened to him.” Her voice was soft and weak. She didn’t know shit.
Alex laughed again louder this time sounding like a mad man. It brought all of their eyes to her and she stopped her pacing.
“I don’t think you do.” Alex smirked.
“When we first discovered those things he wanted to leave your ass in the bunker with no defense and no idea what was really out there. Then he ran like a bitch.” She stalked closer. “We tried to escape we really did but they got him anyway. I tried to help him. He dug his nails into my arm to make sure I wouldn’t let go but they still got him.”
She stopped directly in front of Maggie. Leaning her face in close, her arms folded behind her back. She looked the woman up and down as if sizing her up. Maggie felt a shiver run down her back as it felt like Alex was peering into her very soul.
“You know what they did when they got him?”
“Stop.” Maggie begged. “Please stop.”
“They tore him apart. The dug they’re hands into his flesh and ripped it apart, shoving piece by piece into their mouths. Enjoying him like he w
as Thanksgiving dinner.”
In a blink of an eye Alex had taken a large step back as Maggie had taken out her gun pointing it straight at her. The action had the men pulling their own guns out raised ready to fight.
“I said stop it.” She said through clenched teeth.
Alex said nothing, didn’t flinch instead moved closer. She motioned for the men behind her to lower their weapons. They didn’t listen however feeling as though Alex had gone a bit mad. Seeing the gun nestled at the center of Alex’s chest had them terrified but not her. Her eyes were the ever blank and unforgiving.
“Charlie stood up. He got up just like one of them. His eyes turned the most beautiful glowing blue and the blood on his clothes went perfect with his new soft snow white skin.” She said.
Maggie screamed as the she pulled the trigger. The gun only made a soft click again and again as she pulled the trigger repeatedly. She let out a heavy breath she didn’t notice she was holding in. Alex rolled her eyes and grabbed the gun. Popping open the chamber to show that it was void of any bullets.
“It’s empty.” Petey whispered as he lowered his own weapon. Alex nodded popping the chamber closed and tossing it to him.
“It was empty! You gave me an empty gun!” Maggie screeched.
Alex shrugged unapologetically. Her body was relaxed as she stood, her legs apart and her arms behind her back. Looked like she was bracing herself to take a hit but knew that one would mostly not come no matter how much she stirred the girl up.
“I did. Told you I wasn’t going to die because you can’t handle yourself.” Alex admitted. “I would have let you die. Just like Charlie I would have tried to save you but in the end the weak die.”
“So you’ve got two choices; stay here and rot or come with us.” She said matter of fact. Maggie pondered the offer she was given. She knew that she wouldn’t survive alone not for a second. In the end it was not really a choice. It was never a choice for her.