Insurgent Z: A Zombie Novel (19 page)

“What are these walls made of, and where do they lead?” Rosella asked.

Barry thought a minute. “Well, one wall leads to the cinderblock back of the diner. One leads to the same area the door leads to. The other is next to the storage cabinets. This whole building is made of cinderblocks. It could be a bomb shelter. They probably built it in the 50s when all them kids had to learn to duck and cover during a Russian nuke attack.”

“Barry, I’m surprised you remember that.”

“I like history. It’s the only class I paid attention to the entire time I was in high school.”

“If you would have paid attention in every class, you would’ve gone on to college, and wouldn’t be stuck in this closet with me waiting to be eaten by a bunch of crazy people.”

“I guess you’re right. Too late for that now.”

“Maybe not. How about the ceiling? Where does it go?”

“The ceiling?”

“Yes, the AC repairman changed out some duct work a few weeks ago. The diner has a suspended ceiling. It’s made of two-foot squares that just lift up. He removed a few to get to the duct work. What if we take out some squares not under the ducts? How big is the space in the attic? Can we get out that way?”

Barry snapped his fingers. “Yeah! I bet we could.”

“We’ll have to get up there. I don’t think standing on the mop bucket I kicked earlier is going to do us any good. I’ll have to get higher. I need to stand on your shoulders,” Rosella said.

“It’s going to be tricky, but we have to give it a try. I wish the batteries hadn’t gone out in the flashlight. How do you want to do this?”

Rosella thought a moment. “Bend down and let me sit on your shoulders, and I’ll see what I can feel.”

Barry dropped to one knee as Rosella reached through the darkness and felt her way around. She placed one leg over a shoulder and the other straddled his neck. “Okay, stand up.”

Barry grunted a little, but stood quickly on firm legs. “Piece of cake. Feel anything?”

“Yes. Hang on.” The square felt like a light, fibrous material. If the ceiling tiles were a remnant of the 50s too, it would be made of asbestos. No time to worry about that now. She slid the tile to the side. Hot, dusty air blew back in her face. A roof turbine air vent spun directly overhead. Sunlight cascaded through the blades, lighting the closet like a nightclub.

“Hey. At least we can see. How big is the attic?”

“Big enough for us to crawl around in. I’m going to grab onto a board that runs along the wall. If you can put your hands under my feet, you could help me as I try to pull myself up.”

Barry placed his hands under her shoes. “Okay, give it a try.”

With Barry’s help, and a lot of determination on her part, Rosella pulled her upper body into the attic. She squirmed the rest of her body over.

The attic was nearly five feet tall. Only certain areas by the support walls were suitable for walking on. At least a path for salvation was still open.

The shooting outside started again.

“Help is still here! We need to get you up, Barry.”

“That’s the part we didn’t think about. How am I going to get up there? It’s too high to jump, and there’s nothing down here to stand on.”

Rosella searched through the darkness and spotted a box of electrical wire. She crawled over to it and was pleased to find it half full. “I found something you can use to climb up.”

A strand of electrical wire dropped from the attic. Barry grabbed it and gave it a firm tug. “Can I come up?”

“Yes. I’ve tied one end to a board. The wire should be strong enough to hold you. It’s pretty thick.”

“It’s not very wide for me to get a grip on, but I’ll try.” Barry reached as high as he could with his left hand, then jumped, and grabbed higher with his right. His hand slipped a bit, and when he reached up with his left, he slid down back to the ground. “It’s too slick. It won’t work.”

“Crap,” Rosella said. “I don’t see anything else up here.”

The shots continued outside, filling the silence, and amplifying the urgency of escape.

“You go on and find a way without me. If you make it, you can always come back and get me,” Barry said.

“I can’t do that.”

“Yes, you can.”

“No, I won’t. Not this time. Not when we’re so close. Wait—”

The wire disappeared up into the attic, and returned a few minutes later back down. Rosella had tied loops in the wire about two feet apart to use as handholds.

“Wow. That was genius, Rosella.” Barry wasted no time in pulling himself past the ceiling, and into the attic.

The shots from outside stopped again.

“Looks like we need to make our move before they leave. Let’s go.” Rosella led the way, crawling in the direction of the storefront.

* * *

“The coast is clear for now. Let’s give it the heave-ho again.” Mason turned away from the carnage piled nearby. This last group had pushed the battle line closer to the front door. He hoped they would be able to break through this time and not have to test the odds for survival again. Skylar had reloaded his shotgun two times during the barrage. Despite the ample amount of ammo acquired from Jay Nichols, the supply had been noticeably depleted.

Once again, the three pushed against the door. It moved another couple of inches and stopped.

“Not this again,” Troy said.

“Okay, everyone catch your breath. It feels like we’re up against something solid. Let’s hit the door with all we got and see if we can bump it back. You with me?” Mason flexed his fingers to get the blood circulating.

The coupled nodded and waited for direction.

“Ready? Let’s hit it hard.” Mason and Troy put their shoulders into it and bounced off the door. Skylar hit it with outstretched open hands. The door pushed open some and the barricade rocked slightly.

“It’s moving! Let’s do it again.”

The door moved more.

“Keeping bumping it. The barricade’s giving.”

The bottom of the old desk, wedged between a broken piece of tile on the floor, cracked off, allowing it to move unhindered once again. This inspired the three to redouble their efforts, and push the door wide enough for entry. Once inside, Mason flipped the lock, and stood by the door, while Troy and Skylar collapsed on the floor.

“Thank the Lord,” Skylar said, rubbing some life back into her fingers.

“We’re in. What next?” Troy said.

Mason didn’t say anything and dropped the clip from his .45.

“Mason?” Troy said.

“I’m going to reload and go back out there.”

“What? Have you lost your mind?” Troy pushed himself from the floor.

“I’ve got to go to the diner and check on Rosella. You two are safe. I didn’t want to risk your lives earlier.”

“I’m not letting you go out alone.”

“Troy!” Skylar said.

“I mean it.”

“I still give the orders. The answers is no. You are to stay here with Skylar. If I don’t come back, well, then you can give the orders.” Mason winked, deflating Troy before he could protest.

Troy exhaled long and loud. “I’ve known you too long to waste any more time. If you’re going to do this, get it over with.”

Skylar picked up the shotgun and began reloading. Troy helped Mason load the magazines.

“I wouldn’t spend all your time worrying about me. We still don’t know what’s going on in here. I’d stay close to the door, if I were you, until I get back. Reload your weapons and keep your ears open. Plus, I’m counting on you guys to let me back in.” Mason stood and unlocked the door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, or I won’t be back at all.” The door opened spilling a ray of sunshine to the floor and closed with a metallic clank. It was time to roll the dice again.

* * *

“Where do you think we are? My knees hurt,” Barry said with a pained look on his face.

“I bet that duct there goes to the vents above the counter. I’m going to take a peek and see.” Rosella lifted a ceiling tile by the edge. The air that wafted up was considerably cooler, but brought with it a sickening stench of death. She suppressed a cough. “I don’t see anybody moving about. They’re either gone, dead, or still at the closet door. If we’re going to do it, let’s do it now.”

“It’s been awhile since the shooting stopped. I bet the help have boogied out of here. What are we going to do if we’re the only two left alive?”

“Frankly, Barry, I can’t take much more of this. I’m going for broke and taking this chance. I’m going to make it or die a quick death. I can’t wait this out any longer.”

Barry lowered his head and nodded. After a deep breath, he said, “Okay, then. I’ll help you down first.”

Rosella only had to drop a few feet down to the counter after lowering herself from the ceiling. She landed and immediately bent to one knee and scanned the area.

Barry dropped next to her. His eyes were as wide as saucers.

Outside, the shooting began again.

* * *

Mason hit the door running. Two zombies were almost on him when he lifted the shotgun and fired twice. He ran past them before they even hit the ground. Once he arrived at the line of cars, he leaped on the hood of a Lincoln, and then hopped on the roof. Metal crunched under his weight. The vantage point gave him a much better view of the area.

Zombies advanced steadily from all directions. He briefly estimated more than twenty. Fortunately, the concentration was away from the diner. He mowed down three of the closest and shot at two others a little farther away. Both of the last shots missed.

The diner’s doors opened, a large piece of glass crashed to the sidewalk. Rosella ran out first, with Barry close on her heels.

“Rosella!” Mason’s heart leapt with joy. Seeing her was beyond his wildest hope. He had been preparing himself for either the abyss of not knowing her fate, finding her dead, or worse, one of the walking dead. “Get over to the station! I got you covered.”

Neither of the two hesitated for a moment, stepping over twisted bodies and shattered heads.

A mangled body lifted an arm and tried to sit up just as Barry approached. He tried to jump over, but its hand hit his shoe, sending him face down on the road. The zombie turned over and attacked the back of his calves. Barry managed to kick himself free and sprinted away for safety.

Mason jumped from the roof back on the hood, squeezed off a few shots, hitting targets, and then jumped to the ground and followed behind Barry. Rosella was in the lead and almost to the station.

The three hit the door and banged on it with their fist.

“It’s Mason! Let us in!”

The lock clicked, and the doors opened. Troy and Skylar waited with weapons drawn to the side, ready to aid any way they could.   

Rosella slid past and hurried out of the way for the rest to follow. She turned and hugged Barry when he popped through, and started crying.

“More are coming. Let’s get the desk by the door.” Mason locked the doors and ran to the desk. Troy and Sky helped him push it back into position.

With a sigh of relief, Mason’s shoulders slumped, and his arms hung limp at his side. Then, his head jerked up, and his eyes widened.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Troy asked.

“Stay here!” Mason raised his pistol close to his chest and bounded from the room down the hall.

Troy and Sky looked questioningly at each other and waited at the ready for their leader to return. Rosella continued to cry, clinging to Barry like he was a buoy in shark infested waters.

“Did you hear something? Where’s he going?” Skylar asked.

“I didn’t hear anything. I guess he’s playing Army Ranger on recon to make sure we’re safe. I’m getting enough of being second fiddle around here,” Troy said.

The plumbing in the walls rattled. A door squeaked open, and then an electronic humming sound preceded a soft thud.

Mason strolled from the hall while opening a pack of cigarettes.

“What was that all about?” Troy asked.

“I needed to take a dump. I’m a new man.” Mason lit the cigarette and took a deep draw. When he exhaled, it sounded like pure relief.

Rosella had pulled a tissue from her pocket and dried her swollen eyes. Her face looked haggard. She finally turned her gaze up to Mason and bit her lower lip.

“Are you two hurt?” Mason said.

Rosella shook her head.

“We’re okay. I tell you, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have this beautiful lady to save my ass. I’d still be locked up in that utility closest in the diner sweating my balls off.” Barry still had one hand on Rosella’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

“Rosella is one special lady,” Mason said.

Rosella managed a smile and tilted her head.

“Barry! What happened to your leg?” Skylar said. A trail of red slowly seeped from a cut.

He looked down, and then turned his head to either side behind him. “Huh? Oh hell, I didn’t know it got me. One of those freaks tripped me up when I ran over here. It ain’t nothing to worry about. I’ve cut myself much worse than that in the kitchen.”