Emperor of a Dead World (8 page)

“Payback time,” they could hear him shout. He was driving like a lunatic so Brad moved out of the way just to be safe. The big truck had no trouble mowing down everything in its path. After cutting cookies and shredding bodies for about two minutes, he pulled up next to Brad.

“Thanks buddy,” he said as he rolled down his window and stuck his hand toward Brad. “Names Bubba, Bobby ‘Bubba’ Brooks, that’s me.”

Brad took his hand and said, “I’m Brad and this is Ty and Rudy,”

“Really appreciate it guys. I mean, I would have got out eventually but I appreciate it just the same.”

“Where you staying,” Tyrone asked.

“I ain’t staying no-where. I’m just passing through.”

“Where are you headed?” Brad asked.

“My little brother is out here somewhere and I aim to get him home.”

“Where is home?”

“Phoenix. Phoenix Arizona.”

“You came here all the way from Phoenix?” Tyrone exclaimed.

“In this thing, weren’t nothing going to stop me,” Bubba gloated. “Not no-thing, not no-how.”

“I can’t argue with that,” Brad smiled.

Bubba returned a smile that revealed a missing front tooth.

Brad tried not to stare. “Can you stay a little while?”

“No, I’m leaving right now. I was filling up when they came at me. I had just put my hose in the underground tank and turned on my 12-volt pump when they snuck up on me. Bastards didn’t want me stealing their gas. Anyway, after you cleared the path I ran around, got my stuff and then taught them a lesson for messing with Bubba.”

“Do you really have to leave right now?”

“I got to find my little brother.”

“I tell you what,” Brad insisted. “How about you come have dinner with us? You can stay the night and head out tomorrow.”

Bubba scratched his head. “I suppose I could do that.”

“Great, follow me.”

When they pulled up to the gate of the complex, it was still daylight.

Tyrone turned to Brad. “We have got to lock him up if he stays.”

“What if we just lock ourselves in like we used to?”

“I hate to make exceptions. What do you think Rudy?”

“Our houses are safe and it is only for one night. I suppose if he wanted to stay it would be different.”

Brad shrugged. “I will tell him the rules and see what he says.”

The three watched the gate as Bubba pulled in and waited until it closed behind him. When they got to the house, Brad told Bubba the rules and said they were willing to make an exception but he would not have it. No special treatment for Bubba, safety first he insisted.

For dinner, Tyrone prepared beer-boiled-hotdogs, which they ate on corn tortillas with mustard. On the side, they had chili-favored corn chips from the convenience store. Brad preferred the barbecued corn chips but for some reason they had stopped making them a few years ago.

After eating, they exchanged stories. Bubba’s was simple. He lived on a ranch about 20 miles from Phoenix. A barbed wire fence secured the place and the population was low so his family was still safe. His brother had come to California a couple of months before the outbreak because he was tired of the desert. Bubba had told him to stay away from California but he was a fool kid that would not listen. As far as the truck, Bubba had built it about two years ago with his Uncle’s help. He had even crushed some cars at the fair a couple of times. There was no money in it but he sure had fun. The only thing he regretted is that someone insulted the truck once and it cost him his tooth in a barroom brawl. When he got around to his drive, he explained that it had taken him three days to travel from Arizona because the freeway was a mess but he had cleared a path and he would get home much quicker. He had only arrived that afternoon and he held high hopes of finding his brother. Of course, deep inside he had his doubts.

Bubba spent the night and the next morning after breakfast, he set out. As he said good-bye, he promised he would come back and introduce his little brother to them. He also said they were welcome to come to his ranch anytime they wanted. However, he laughed, he would have to lock them in the barn.

Once Bubba was gone, it was back to business as usual. Every day they went a little further and even considered setting up another safe house a few miles away so they could explore more areas without having to return every night.

While driving past Los Alamitos racetrack Rudy said, “Hey, what is wrong with that place?”

Tyrone shrugged and Brad headed up the drive.

“Over there,” Tyrone pointed.

Brad drove up to the administrative gate and Tyrone jumped out and opened it. Once inside they noticed several horses running free. Fortunately, some kind soul had set them loose and they survived by grazing around the grounds. After watching the horses, the three friends set out to clear the place. This proved to be no problem because the same person that had set the horses free closed the gates when the trouble started so no creatures were inside. After doing a thorough inspection, they decided the clubhouse and offices were best suited for sleeping quarters. They all agreed this would make an excellent fortress because it had ponds filled with water, plenty of space for farming and a wall surrounded it. Other than the rat-infested stables, this place was perfect. It seems these filthy rodents survived in any environment. It is just unfortunate they did not serve a more noble purpose in life.

After spending a week working on the place, they headed for home. Brad, as usual, avoided the freeway. With everyone trying to escape, it had been bumper-to-bumper traffic and once the infection took over the people sitting in their cars became trapped. Many left their vehicles behind and tried to run but the creatures soon overtook them and before long, they became bloodthirsty killers themselves. The city streets were not much better but at least there were many routes making it possible to get through. When on reconnaissance, Brad explored different routes but when he had a long way to go or was in a hurry he stuck to roads he knew were clear. Following one of these routes, they headed up the street toward home.

All of a sudden, Rudy yelled, “Stop.”

“What,” Brad cried as he hit the brakes and turned toward Rudy.

“Look,” he pointed.

Brad looked but he did not see.

“Right there,” Rudy exclaimed with excitement.

Tyrone saw it first. “Holy crap,” he shouted.

“What,” Brad persisted.

Tyrone was already out of the truck and heading for the tree before Brad saw it. Someone had made a sign with an arrow and attached it to a tree aiming it down a side street.

“There is a note,” Tyrone said as he grabbed it.

“What does it say?

“We heard your horn a few mornings at exactly the same time,” Tyrone read as Brad and Rudy joined him. “We finally came to meet you but you did not return.”

“All the while we were at the racetrack they were here,” Rudy laughed. “Man, they have my kind of luck.”

Brad grabbed the note and read. “We are seven houses down on the left. Please come but do not make any noise. It only attracts the killers.” He looked at Tyrone and shook his head. “No kidding.” He continued reading. “Wait in the front and we will come out. There are only four of us. Along with me are my wife, my son and my mother. We are good people and I hope you are as well. We have nothing of value so please only come with good intentions. Tom.”

“Seven houses that way,” Tyrone pointed.

“Can we trust them,” Rudy asked.

“A man, two women and a kid, does sound suspicious.”

“He is right,” Rudy agreed as he turned to Brad. “How did they survive?”

“Let’s check this out before we judge,” Brad replied.

They drove down and stopped out front. The place looked deserted.

“I don’t think anyone is here,” Rudy said.

“Could be a trap,” Tyrone suggested.

Brad put his gun in his pants and covered it with his T-shirt as he got out of the truck. He now spread his arms and shouted, “Anyone home?”

No answer came from the house.

“We are survivors just like you,” he continued. “We are looking for others like us.”

“I think I saw something,” Rudy said.

“Where,” Brad asked as he scanned the building with his eyes.

“Not there. It was across the street and one house down. All the blinds are closed but I think I saw one move.”

Brad glanced at Tyrone. He already had the Glock in his hand and Tyrone had the Beretta. Rudy had a .357 he had picked up on the street and five shells he had found in a dead man’s pocket.

“There,” Tyrone said, “I saw that one move.”

“I saw it too,” Brad calmly responded.

He got in the truck, drove over and backed into the driveway across the street so they could face the house. It was a two-story brick building with a six-foot block wall enclosing the backyard. On top of the wall was a vinyl fence that added two feet to the height. All the windows had security bars and they had enclosed the porch with a security gate.

“Looks like a fortress,” Tyrone noted.

The front door opened and a man stepped onto the porch holding his hands in the air. He was of average build and appeared about forty-five years of age. “I’m Tom,” he called out. “I hope you come in peace.”

Brad glanced at Tyrone and said, “Cover me.” He then got out of the truck and walked forward with his Glock once again tucked into his pants. “I am Brad,” he said as he watched the man.

Tom appeared nervous. “Hold on,” he said. “What do you want?”

“We are looking for survivors so we can build a community. We have a safe place.”

“We have a safe place as well.”

“I can see that,” Brad smiled. “Is this where you want to stay?”

“We would like to get together with others,” Tom said as he lowered his arms. “That is why I put up the arrow and the note. My wife was against it but I told her we have to trust someone. The world has enough danger as it is. There is safety in numbers.”

“I feel the same way,” Brad replied. He then added, “About the sign. You seem to have gotten the directions wrong.”

“I didn’t know who would come and I needed to protect my family.”

“I understand and I do not blame you for being cautious. May I come forward?”

“If you wish,” Tom consented.

“There are two others in the truck, Tyrone and Rudy. They are both armed.”

“My wife and son have rifles as well.”

“I would like to meet your family.”

“As I said, we are only four. Our supplies are almost gone and we only have a few shells left that we will use to protect ourselves.”

“I am not here to take what you have. I am here to offer you a chance to join us.” Brad pointed at the truck. “We all
e Brad
started out alone but now we are three. We have been driving around looking for survivors in hopes of building a community. I hope you feel the same way we do.”

“Perhaps you should come inside,” Tom said as he pointed. Two creatures were coming toward Brad.

“Please show me your family first.”

“What about them,” Tom asked as he motioned toward the creatures.

When they got within ten feet of Brad, Tyrone stepped out and put his railroad spike through their heads. He then got back into the truck.

Tom watched in silence.

“Well,” Brad asked.

Tom opened the door and his wife stepped out. “This is Mary.”

“Hello,” Brad said.

Following his mother, a boy of fourteen stepped out. Behind him was a woman of about seventy.

“This is my son Tommy and my mother Sara. Please come in.”

Tyrone and Rudy stepped out of the truck.

“Stay here,” Tyrone told Rudy. “If anyone shows up, blow the horn. If you hear gunshots, help us if you can. If you don’t see us in half an hour, let your conscience be your guide.”

Chapter 8

Brad and Tyrone followed the others inside then stood by the door and waited in silence as the family nervously watched them.

“It is just the three of us,” Brad said at last. “We met another man a couple of weeks ago but he is not with us. He came from Arizona and he is looking for his brother. If he finds him he intends on heading home.”

“This is all of us,” Tom replied. “We know of no one else.”

“Are you hungry?” Tom’s mother asked. “We do not have much but you are welcome to what we have.”

Brad did not reply.

“Please take a seat and have something,” she insisted.

Brad looked at Tyrone then at Tom but he did not move.

“Yes, I am sorry,” Tom finally said. “Where are my manners? Please sit down.”