Dead Cold (17 page)

“Struggle all you want.” The remaining survivalist laughed. “You’ll just be tired when the dead show up to eat you.”

Defeated Roland sat down in the cramped space, he had failed everyone. Valerie would die, if she hadn’t already, the others would be killed or captured if they came to look for him. Outside he’d had the advantage thanks to the weather and the element of surprise, in the store he’d been careless and now he was locked up.

“Frelling stupe.” He muttered to himself.

Roland couldn’t see in to the other lockups but he could hear shouts and cries from them as the guard made rounds back and forth. The guard was smaller than Roland and dressed in winter camouflage, he carried a small gauge shotgun that he occasionally pointed at Roland’s cage as he went past. Tired and out of ideas Roland leaned back against the wall and looked up.

A smile crossing his face Roland sat straight up; the roof of his cage was just the four planks that made up the shelf above. There was a nut and bolt in either end of each plank and Roland discovered that they had not been tightened as he unscrewed each bolt with his fingertips. It took five minutes until Roland finally had all four unscrewed and was ready for the guard to walk past.

The guard strolled past Roland’s cage, his shotgun held loosely in one hand as he went. Once the guard’s back was turned and he headed back down the hallway Roland silently slid the boards out of the way and pulled himself out the cage, his legs enjoying the room. Sliding off the cage and onto the floor with barely a whisper of rubber on concrete Roland launched himself at the guard.

The guard turned to look just as Roland’s right shoulder slammed into his ribs forcing air from his lungs and causing the shotgun to fire into the air. Momentum from Roland’s charge carried both men to the ground and left Roland straddling the guard as he gasped for air. The sight of a two year old boy’s face peering through one of the nearby lockups caused Roland’s blood to boil as he pulled back his fist and began smashing his fists against the guards face. His anger increasing his strength as his punches landed; Roland could feel the bones in the other man’s face crack and shatter.

It took only twenty seconds of constant blows from Roland’s fists before the guard was a bloody, unrecognizable mess. The sound of heavy boots coming towards the back reminded Roland that there were still two more survivalist in the store. Looking around for a weapon a smile crossed his face as his eyes spotted a bright red Louisville Slugger resting on a nearby shelf. Grabbing the bat Roland savored the heavy weight in his hand as he ran towards the sound of the approaching boots.

The big muscular man was first through the door and his shocked expression made Roland’s smile larger as he swung the heavy bat. In a moment of overestimating how tough he was the muscular survivalist raised his arm in an attempt stop the bat like so many movie tough guys. The sound of his forearm breaking was quickly replaced by screams of anguish as he realized what had happened.

Taking the opportunity for a little revenge Roland swung his boot upwards, his shin connecting hard with the big man’s genitals. Howling again the big man doubled over as excruciating pain shot through his body, the pain short lived as Roland’s rising knee connected with the other man’s face knocking him unconscious.

“Earl, what’s happening?” The last survivalist’s voice came from the other side of the swinging doors.

Looking down Roland saw his Golden Eagle sticking from the big guy’s waistband and reached down to retrieve it. “Come on, you dumb son of a bitch.” He growled the Eagle somehow making his arm complete.

“Earl did you get him?” The man’s expression turned from curiosity to absolute horror as he pushed the doors open and saw the blood stained Roland standing over the big guy’s body.

“No, he didn’t.” Roland’s voice was emotionless as he fired around into each of the man’s arms, shattering bone and tearing muscle as the hot slugs tore easily through.

Pocketing his hand cannon Roland strolled over to the dying survivalist and pressed a boot heel into one of his wounds. The man screeched like a wounded animal but could do nothing to defend himself. Tired of the screaming Roland grabbed a pair of oversized panties off a nearby rack and shoved them into the wounded man’s mouth.

“You made a bunch of mistakes today, you know that? You hurt innocent people, you put people in cages, and your biggest mistake do you know what that was?”

The man’s eyes were wide as he shook his head back forth, each motion causing tears to splash to the floor. Leaning down until his mouth was next to the men’s ear Roland lowered his voice to a deadly whisper.

“You fucked with me, that’s what and nobody fucks with me. Now, you’re gonna die because of it.”

Standing up Roland left the man to die of his injuries and returned to the warehouse area of the store. The big man was beginning to stir as Roland walked past so he pulled the Eagle out of his pocket and fired into the back of muscle man’s head, he stirred no more.

Searching the shelves in back it didn’t take Roland long to find a set of heavy duty bolt cutters and satisfied they would work he went back to the cages. Cutting each lock Roland set free everyone the survivalists had been holding, the scared men and women thanking him as they averted their children’s eyes from the man Roland had beat to death.

Roland reached the last cage before his; this one contained the two-year old boy he had spotted earlier and three women; one in her forties and two that appeared to be in their twenties. This lock was stronger than the rest; forcing Roland to brace one arm of the cutters against his chest while he pulled on the other. With a loud crack the cutters closed and the lock fell to the floor with a dull thud.

The cage swung open and the four stepped out into the hallway, joints cracking and muscles stretching. All three of the women stood about five feet tall, the two younger ones having brown hair while the older one had blonde highlights throughout. All four had incredibly dark brown eyes and dark, tanned skin.

“Well it’s about time someone dealt with them.” The oldest one kicked the nearby corpse as she spoke.

“Mom was that necessary?” The daughter holding the toddler asked.

“Made me feel better; just wish it had been me that had done it.” She took the child and turned to look at Roland. “Now, who are you?”

“Name’s Roland Castle and you might be?” Roland couldn’t help feeling that he knew them.

“I’m Alma Jesso, these are my daughters Megan and Natasha, and this is my grandson Seth.”

“Well then ladies, it’s been a pleasure to meet you but I have to go help someone.” Roland was already starting down the hallway back out into the store.

“Do you mind if we come with? They totaled my SUV when we pulled up.” Her voice was hard, someone trying to be tough when all they wanted to do was break down.

“I don’t have room in my truck but maybe I can help you figure something out, I just need to find a first aid kit.” Roland slowed and let the family catch up.

“I saw a bunch in an aisle near the entrance; I can show you where they are.” Natasha stepped past Roland with a determined stride.

Roland fell in line behind the dark haired girl as the other two followed closely behind him, Alma still carrying Seth. Roland found his backpack on a till near the aisle that Natasha showed him where he grabbed two of the first aid kits and stuffed them in the backpack.

“Now I just hope we make it in time.” Roland let the way out of the store and back into the storm.

Chapter 27: Slowing Down

Outside, they avoided the corpses near the door; Roland noticed the one he had questioned no longer breathed. All around the recently freed captives scattered and attempted to start vehicles or just started walking. Roland led the family at a rapid pace, first aid kit held close to his chest. Worry filled his heart as he got closer to the truck and the sound of someone crying reached his ears.

He reached the truck and knew immediately that he was too late. Angela had her face pressed against Jack’s chest and was the source of the sobbing. Desire, Cory and Destiny had blood on their hands and arms, their faces ashen. The first aid kit fell from Roland’s arms when he saw the blanket covered form on the side of the road. Destiny came up to Roland and wrapped her arms around him.

“I’m sorry, Roland, she didn’t make it.”

Alma, Megan, Natasha and the baby came up behind Roland looking at the scene around them. Upon seeing the body Natasha pressed the baby face to her chest while Megan buried hers in Alma’s. The temperature was well below freezing but no one moved for a long time until Cory spoke up.

“We need to get moving, something might come.”

“He’s right, we’re gonna freeze to death out here and those things can’t be far away.” Roland found himself suddenly feeling the cold.

“Where are we going to go?” Destiny pulled away from Roland, almost reluctantly.

“There a garage near here where we can hide for a while.” Roland did his best to compose himself in front of the others.

“Sounds good, so who are your new friends?” Cory looked at the family behind Roland.

“Right, this is Alma, her daughters Natasha and Megan, and her grandson Seth.” He gestured to each of them in turn. “This ragtag bunch of misfits is Destiny, Cory, Desire, Angela, and Jack.”

After everyone was introduced the group of what was now ten people squeezed into the Dodge and Roland started the truck. No one mentioned the blanket or what lay under it as the truck pulled away, a single tear escaped Roland’s green eye, no one noticing in the dark interior. It was a tight squeeze in the truck; Roland, Destiny, Desire and Cory filled the front seat while the others made use of the spacious back seat, Eve had found a spot on Cory’s lap.

They arrived at the garage quickly and Roland brought the truck to a stop out front. The building appeared empty; nothing could be seen moving through the small windows on the big roll up doors or in the office area.

“Okay, Cory and Destiny will come with me and we’ll see if we can find a way in. Once we’re inside we’ll open one of the vehicle doors and Desire will drive the truck in. any questions?” Roland grabbed the katana off the dash.

“How come Desire get’s to drive the truck?” Jack whined from the back seat.

“Because you annoy me. Now if we don’t open that door in fifteen minutes or you don’t hear from us you leave, don’t look back just take the truck and leave. Understood?” Everyone nodded to that. “Good, Cory, Destiny let’s go.”

“Dude your dog wants to come.” Cory was attempting to keep Eve in the truck.

“Fine, let her come, she might come in handy.” Roland had already exited the truck and was waiting for Destiny.

The trio walked around the garage looking for the office, silently moving through the deep snow as Eve hopped along beside Roland. They found the office on the far side of the building, just a small addition to the big burgundy garage. There were two mid-sized windows and a central door leading into a waiting area with a counter that split the room.

Walking up to the door Roland tried the handle but found it locked. He was just about to punch through the window when Destiny stopped him holding up something small and glittering. Pressing it to the glass she made a small circle near the handle and pushed in, a perfect circle feel to the floor inside.

“Diamonds really are a girl’s best friend.” The blonde girl smiled as she reached her hand in and unlocked the door.

“Very clever, where did you get that?” Roland stepped inside, his P90’s TAC light filling the small space with blue light.

“I did a little shopping before that nut job captured me.” Destiny closed the door after Cory and Eve had entered.

The office was completely silent, only the sound of the four breathing could be heard in the small space. Moving around the counter Roland lead the way as the others followed, Destiny taking up the rear. Coming up to the door leading into the garage Roland peered through the glass, the headlights from the truck providing some light in the massive garage. There were three cars scattered around an area that could hold at least twice that many, Roland guessed the garage had been built from a converted warehouse.

Nothing moved in the garage and the light from the truck cast eerie shadows onto the high wall. Deciding it was safe Roland pushed the door open and stepped in the empty space beyond the door, the scent of oil and lubricants filling his nostrils. Listening for any of the creatures Roland closed his eyes and turned his head slowly. Satisfied there was nothing there Roland made his way to roll up door in front of the truck and pulled down on the chain.

As soon as the door was lifted high enough Desire drove the truck into the garage and shut the truck off. Peering out into the snowy darkness Roland wondered and worried as he watched the heavy flakes fall to the ground. Letting the door fall Roland grabbed the chain just before it hit the ground and lowered it as slowly as he could; the making barely a whisper as it came to a stop.

The other six climbed out of the vehicle, Jack acting as if he had been in the truck for hours. Leaving the others to stretch Roland headed up the metal stairs and looked around; the second floor was a combination of break room and tire storage. About the size of a large living room with plywood floors, a couple of couches, a fridge, a low table, and racks of tires along two walls. Roland figured this would be a good place for everyone to catch some rest while he tried to figure out a plan. Jack interrupted his thoughts.