Dead States | Year Zero | Nebraska Read online

  Amy then led Crystal over to where breakfast was being served. A tremendous number of people were gathered there the majority of which were soldiers. At the back of the food line was a young man Crystal believed she recognized.

  “Tobin, Tobin Grey is that you?”, Crystal called.

  Tobin had grown up on the farm adjacent to the Innes spread and had a crush on Crystal as long as he could remember, “Crystal, oh my word, your the last person I expected to see here. I am so glad to see you.”

  Crystal being a couple years older, never encouraged Tobin, so it was entirely uncharacteristic of her to run to him me and hug him close. Finding such a familiar face suddenly reminded Crystal of her parents and she broke down and cried into his shoulder. Tobin did his best to comfort her, but secretly enjoyed the closeness of the woman he had desired from afar for so long.

  Eventually Crystal gathered herself and released Tobin from her embrace, “Your parents, your sister are they here as well?”

  “No they are gone, you and I and a handful of others are all that is left from our town. What about you, are your parents here?”, Tobin answered sorrowfully.

  Crystal just wiped back a tear and shook her head.

  The pair got their breakfast, powdered eggs, toast, and coffee and found a spot to eat. Tobin started filling Crystal in on what has been happening at camp, “I've been here a day and a half and there has been a steady stream of survivors trickling in. The soldiers are pretty tight lipped as to what is going on, but I guess we all know it is not good. They keep a steady watch and every once and a while you hear them shooting at Dee's. Most of the survivors are pretty traumatized and stick to themselves.”

  Tobin pointed out a large good-natured looking man, “The big guy over there is Ivan McPherson, he's a one man welcoming committee. I think he was one of the first ones here and he makes a point of getting to know everyone. There is something about him that seems to put people at ease. His wife Ivy and their two teenage daughter are here as well.”

  Crystal spied an attractive young woman walking to the breakfast line showing way too much skin, “Well there is an interesting choice of attire.”

  Tobin chuckled, “That is Amelia Cavendish, her dad is Myles Cavendish, some big wig executive type. Her mother is here too and she is about half Myles age. Myles isn't the worst sort, but Amelia and here mom, flirt, pout, and whine, just to get their way.”

  Just then they were called over so the Colonel could address the crowd. Tobin and Crystal made their way to the other side of the circle where the unit commandeer stood in the back of a truck waiting for everyone to filter over.

  When everyone had gathered Colonel Osgood's voice came over the loud speakers, “Please settle down and give me your attention. I am Colonel Osgood and I wish I could give you all better news. I can tell you though we do have a plan that is your best chance for getting through this. You folks probably know this already, but the world as we knew it, is over. However, you people and other groups like you are our best hope to reclaim this country. The dead, what we are calling the Dee's have us outnumbered. Fortunately many parts of Nebraska are lightly populated and that is your edge. Over the past few days, as my men have worked to locate survivors I have had them gather as much supplies as possible. We have had no contact with either other units or central command. If any of you want to strike out on your own that is your prerogative, however, I recommend you stay together. I'm taking the bulk of my troops in to Lincoln to search for additional survivors. Some of my men will accompany you to provide additional assistance though. Sgt. Andrews here has my total confidence and is handling the bug out plan for you.”

  Sgt. Andrews began to speak as the rifle fire began to pick up. “Folks I'm going to say this quick, we are going to leave within the hour. When we leave we'll have one jeep running ahead to make sure the way is clear. One jeep leading the caravan and setting the pace. The trucks will run in two columns using both lanes of the road that will keep the caravan from getting too long. Last night most of you were assigned a truck to ride in and drivers for the trucks were selected. Those of you that don't have an assignment wait here and we will find you a spot. We won't be stopping very often or very long make sure to use the latrines before we leave. We will do a nose count to make sure we got everyone, but once we are on the road make sure to keep your family close. The same goes for those of you assigned the care of some of the orphans. That is all I have, get ready and head to your truck as quick as you can we will deal with any questions once the trucks are loaded.”

  People began to drift off to gather their meager belongings. Waiting to be given her truck assignment Crystal saw Colonel Osgood heading towards a man with a couple of children. Before he could reach them he was interrupted by another man.

  “Colonel a minute please. Myles Cavendish”, declared the man as he extended his hand. “Sir we are really grateful for all you've done, but my wife and daughter are really struggling with the thought of bouncing around in the back of truck. If there was a private car, I'm quite wealthy, money would really not be an issue.”

  Crystal could see the anger rising in the Colonel at the stupidity and selfishness of this man, but before he could respond Ivan McPherson walked up and said he would explain the situation to Mr. Cavendish.

  Ivan then put an arm around the shoulders of Myles and took him aside. “Myles I don't think you understand, any money you had is of no value. What is of value is what you can do to provide for the welfare of our group. Are we clear.”

  Myles considered Ivan a moment then stuck out his hand, “Thank you, I understand. I feel like an idiot and I appreciate your frankness. We won't let you down” He moved off to his wife and daughter who didn't take the news as well as he had.

  Colonel Osgood continued over to the man with the children, “Matt hold up a minute.”

  Bending down he hugged each of the kids, “Travis, Cassie make me a promise to look after your dad, OK.”

  With tears in their eyes they nodded and in unison spoke, “We Promise”.

  The Colonel turned to the man, “Matt I've made it clear since my daughter married you that I would have preferred that she had a married a career man. However, you've always done well by her and your twins and I want you to know I respect you for sticking with your convictions. The world is going to need people like you that can look for a different solution.”

  The Colonel unbuckled his gun belt which holstered a pair of ivory handled revolvers. “These pistols were handed down to me by my father and I want you to take them now and use them to keep my grandchildren safe.”

  Matt took the pistols, strapped them on and then shook the older mans hand. Colonel Osgood shook his head, “A handshake is not going to make it” and pulled Matt in for a hug.

  The two children joined the two men in a family embrace. After a moment Matt spoke, “Bryan thanks for every thing you've done. Sarah was always proud of you and you will be pleased to know she went out saving others. I truly hope we will see you again.” Matt took his kids in tow and headed to the waiting trucks.

  Crystal was so wrapped up with the scenes she had just witnessed that she had forgotten about Tobin. Crystal became aware that Tobin was still waiting with her. Crystal turned towards him and he smiled and then quickly gave her a hug. At first Crystal stiffened in surprise but quickly changed her mind and hugged him back as he whispered, “Crystal I am so relieved your OK.”

  Not wanting to encourage him Crystal broke off the embrace and told him to get to his truck and that they would catch up again later. Dr. Lindermann, Ed and a handful of others were left with Crystal waiting to be assigned their ride. Shortly Amy came up and directed them to their truck.

  Since all her belongings were on her back and the line at the latrine had now shortened Crystal was back to the truck in short order. Reasoning that she would be sitting for quite some time Crystal waited outside of the truck as the others she was sharing the truck with showed up. Somewhat surprising to her, Crystal was r
eally pleased that Tobin was on her truck.

  The McPherson's were with them as well. Sgt. Andrews showed up with the Cavendish family. Myles was loaded down with luggage, his wife and daughter weren't used to packing light. Sgt. Andrews asked Ivan, the Cavendish family and Crystal to wait outside. He then instructed everyone else to get on board and showed them where to store their gear.

  When everyone was on Sgt. Andrews turned to Myles, “Mr. Cavendish you and your family will ride in the cab.”

  Myles protested, “Oh no that is okay we are perfectly happy to ride with everyone else.”

  Sgt. Andrews snapped back, “Sir I am not trying to do you any favors, we have a long ride ahead of us and if one of you spout off like you did to the Colonel these people are going to throw you from the truck. Now stow what you can in the truck, anything that won't fit carry on your lap or leave behind.”

  Mrs. Cavendish started to protest, but her husband shut her down, “Cynthia shut it.”

  As the Cavendish family settled themselves Sgt. Andrews spoke to Ivan and Crystal, “We are asking to have two people help with security on each of the trucks. You will be the last ones on and the first ones off. No one else gets off until you give the all clear. If we do run into trouble we will look to you to help keep the truck safe.”

  He pulled a couple of rifles from those stored on the truck, gave a short lecture on there workings and then a final warning “Don't be too quick to arm the rest of the passengers, if they are not experienced with firearms that could be more dangerous than Dee's, but if it comes to that there are plenty of weapons on-board.”

  Sgt. Andrews left and Ivan and Crystal took up positions standing guard, Crystal feeling a bit foolish standing there with the rifle slung over her shoulder. She wasn't sure why she was being trusted with this responsibility, but by God she was going to do her best keep these people safe. After a few minutes they could hear the vehicles starting up and beginning to move.

  Blade showed up and when he saw Crystal trying to look like she was standing guard he called out, “Well Ice I see we are in good hands here. I've been delegated to tour guide and will be riding with you on this first leg to answer what I can.”

  Shortly their driver gave the word they were ready to leave Ivan headed up first handing his rifle to his wife and then climbed into his seat. Crystal followed handing her rifle to Tobin.

  As the truck began to pull out Blade cleared his throat. “If I could have your attention. I'm Corporal Alan Byrne and welcome to the zombie apocalypse. I don't have a ton of answers as to what is happening, I'm not sure anyone does. I'll tell you what I do know. The Dee's truly are animated dead. If they bite you, you die shortly after. No matter how you die, you turn and become a Dee. The only thing the risen dead want to do is feed on the living. Dee's are not particularly coordinated or smart, but there are a lot of them and they herd up. They seem to be attracted to loud noises, lights, and the smell of blood really jacks them up. You can make them less mobile by breaking a leg, but the only way to stop them is to destroy the brain.”

  Blade stopped a minute to let what he just said sink in, “Our plan here is to move to a remote area where you will have a chance to secure yourselves. The Old Man used to vacation at this resort that we are headed to, if he picked it it has to have something going for it.”

  Blade finished with a summary of the group, “There are ten soldiers traveling with the caravan. They will stay long enough to see the group gets established. From there each soldier will have the choice to rejoin our unit, stay with the group, or strike out to find their own families. There are 253 survivors in the group. Breaking down to 61 children, ranging in age from 17 to a newborn. Ten of the children are orphans coming from three different families. The remaining adults range in age from 60 to 20 years old and almost a 50/50 split of men to women. The supplies we are bringing with us run the gamut of clothes, food, weapons, medicine,fuel, and even some solar panels.”

  Once the conversation with Blade had run down Ivy McPherson turned her attention to Tobin and Crystal, “My don't you two make a charming couple.”

  Tobin in embarrassment stammered, “Oh no Ma'am we're just friends from back home.”

  Ivan chuckled, “Don't argue with her son once Ivy's made up her mind it is a done deal. I was working third shift at the GM plant back in Flint Michigan, got off from work one morning and stopped at the diner for breakfast. Ivy slipped me her number on my check and we were married a month later.”

  Now it was Ivy's turn to laugh as the petite women grabbed her husbands large hand, “As I remember it Ivan McPherson you came into that diner every day for three months, made sure you always got one of my tables and barely said two words to me. I had to do something to get you to talk to me.”

  Ivan roared in an infectious laugh that seemed to lighten everyone's mood. Ivy continued, “I guess some introductions are in order, this big lug is Ivan, though he prefers Mac, a retired factory worker now farmer, I'm Ivy an accountant, and these two trying to pretend they don't know us are our daughter Sherry and Shelly. And You are?”

  “Crystal Innes a journalism student, pleased to meet you.”

  Tobin joined in,”Tobin Grey, I just finished culinary school. I had come back to open my own place. I'm probably lucky I wasn't still back east”

  Mac was a larger than life kind of guy and Crystal couldn't help herself from wanting to know more about him, “Mac do I detect a bit of an accent.”

  Again Mac broke out in his roar of a laugh, “Hell I thought it was all of you that talked funny. Yep we come from the other side of the pond, Flint Michigan to be exact. I worked twenty years at the Pontiac plant and then the auto industry takes a nose dive and they shut down the plant. Standing in the unemployment line I went a little nuts. Met up with some militia folks. At first it was shooting some guns, learning some survival and prepping skills. Then things got a little extreme, lucky for me the accounting firm Ivy worked for opened an office here in Nebraska. We decided farming might be a way to have a sustainable life. Who knew the dead were gonna start walking among us.”

  They drove on that way spending time getting to know each other and periodically making short stops to answer natures call and to stretch their legs. As instructed Mac and Crystal were the first ones off the carrier and at their second stop Crystal spied one of the dead exiting the woods. Crystal called 'Dee' and raised her rifle.

  Sgt. Andrews came up and stopped her, “We don't know how many more are in those woods and this group is no where near ready to fight a herd, better we move on.”

  Chapter 2 - Refuge

  A couple of hours before dark they reached their destination. Mac and Crystal hopped out to take their posts, but Slinger drove up in a jeep with Sgt. Andrews. Sgt. Andrews asked Mac to join him on an inspection of the resort. The lead jeep was down at the resort already talking to a man from the resort.

  The resort itself has an idyllic appearance. There are four buildings each three stories tall, together the four buildings formed a cross pattern. Each floor had six rooms to a side and a large vestibule at the front of each building. Behind the buildings was a lake. There were also a handful of other buildings, two barns, a house and two utility buildings Closer to where the convoy was halted was a small gas station and C store.

  “Sir this is Mick Canales the resort caretaker.”, Blade indicated to Sgt. Andrews when he approached.

  “Like I was telling your men Sergeant, the resort is empty and the new management never arrived. So you folks are welcome to stay here. We caught a little of what was going on and what little staff we had here this time of year vamoosed back to their families. Its just me and one older couple that have been on kinda an extended stay here, but I got them bunking with me over in the staff quarters.”, Mick stated cordially.

  A couple of more minutes of discussion then Mac clapped Mick on the shoulder and Mac and Sgt. Andrews climbed back in the jeep. Sgt. Andrews began talking on the radio and then the supply trucks started up an
d began heading towards the resort. The jeep stopped at the first passenger truck and while Sgt. Andrews began talking to the people in the first truck, Mac ran back to the truck where Ivy was waiting.

  Ivy greeted Mac at the back of the truck, when he saw her he scooped her up in his powerful arms and gave her a long kiss.

  Mac then spoke to everyone on the truck, “Folks hang in there for a little while, but it will be worth the wait, we caught one hell of a break on this. You are going to have hot showers and soft beds tonight. Tobin would you come back with me I think we can put your skills to work.”

  The first three passenger trucks headed towards the resort. Four of the jeeps took defensive positions around the seven remaining passenger trucks and the civilian guards took up spots at the front and rear of each truck. After about half an hour, four more of the trucks headed down and then finally the last of the trucks were called down.

  When they entered the building Mac greeted everyone, “Folks we are starting to get good at this it won't take long to get you a room assigned. For safety reason we ask that you stay inside the building. The soldiers will be patrolling the perimeter overnight, but we will be asking some of you to take turns standing watch at the exits. Each of these buildings have their own well and septic and power from an emergency generator. Please when you get to your rooms take short showers and use a minimum of lights, we need to stretch what we have until we can resupply the propane tanks. Supper will be served in the dining room of this building, return here once you have had a chance to freshen up.”