markson721

Chapter 3

Mowinem Down

Eric looked around the room trying to piece together what he owned that might be useful against the zombies outside his door. He had his gun and he had Baxter but aside from that he didnt know what would be useful against zombies. I dont know.
We need to figure a way out of here, Officer Kirk spoke. We need a plan to get out of here thats going to decide what it useful and what isnt
Front door isnt an option, how about the windows? These look like high windows and I havent seen those things climb into windows, they have tipped themselves out of them but they dont look like they have the coordination to climb in, Sanchez was eying the large front room window. Should we brace that thing just in case?
Its at least four feet off the ground, I dont think they could climb through it even if they broke it open. Eric was scanning the room. There were a few oversized chairs, a small dinner table and chairs, and a wine rack. Erics eyes naturally fell on the bottom row of the wine rack and found an assortment of bottles of varying shapes and sizes. He smiled. Would hard alcohol work?
Officer Davis smiled. Laugh lines that Eric hadnt seen yet rose to the Officers face. We can use those. Make some Molotov Cocktails burn those bastards alive, Davis fought to keep a chuckle down. The lead Officer eyed the handful of bottles for another long moment before the trace of a smile died on his bulldog face. How many of those things could we burn to death if were able to get to them? How well do you think theyll burn? How are we going to get to them without opening the door or burning this house down around us?
Eric frowned. Eric considered himself a pretty strategic thinker even if his experience in military action didnt extend beyond board games. Eric was disappointed in the shortsighted nature of his plan. Molotov cocktail scheme could be useful but not from inside the house. While he was mulling over new ideas Baxter rested his head on his outstretched paws joining the little group of tacticians planning their escape.
The four men sat in silence for long minutes. Eric wondered if their thoughts drifted to their terrified or dead loved ones out in this world that was quickly falling apart. The world outside slowly seemed to disappear as shock came crashing down and the dragging undertow of the fading adrenaline high pulled Erics tired body closer to numbness. Erics mind was moving like molasses in January trying to think of anything to aid their escape. Staying in the house wasnt an option.
Officer Kirk sneezed breaking the silent vigil in the room. Before Eric could say bless you a stone solid fist hit the front door sending vibrations through the couch Eric was sitting on. A chorus of unintelligible moans accompanied the discordant pounds showering down on the solid wood door.
They hear pretty damn good for dead people, Sanchez whispered. Can we use that?
Depends, Davis said in a blunt tone. Is there a way out of this house besides that door, he jerked his chin in the direction of the front door that was shaking slightly with every strike of a fist against the door.
Erics voice was hollow as he answered the Officers question, yeah, two egress windows and a back door. The egress windows are out since they both face the front of the house and the zombies would be on use before we could kill them. The back doors the only option but wed still have to fight our way through them. What are we going to do after that?
How many of them do you think are out there? Officer Kirks eyes were worried where as the other two officers just looked resigned.
How many did you shoot kid? Sanchez stared past officer Kirk pinning Eric with his gaze.
Three I think, maybe two. Eric hadnt been keeping track of the number of his neighbors that he had been forced to kill to avoid dying. Each officer piped up and gave his definitive count or his best estimate. Davis was the clear winner if it had been a contest.
Assuming our numbers are right there are at least ten people still out there if not a few more and thats just from this side of Weldon. Eric had not been a very friendly neighbor in his time but he was confident he knew how many people lived on his street. If any of the zombies got across the street and got to the people over there were looking at more than thirty possibly forty or more. How far could something like this spread.
The whole city would be a safe bet, Davis voice lacked any emotion. Without concern or regret Eric wondered if the lead officer was already dead inside before this thing had happened of he was already preparing himself for a world where emotions were weakness.
Hes right. We have to assume that the zombies are everywhere from here on out at least inside city limits, Sanchezs voice was heavy with grief for family or humanity was anyones guess. We were suppose to go back to the public safety building but its overrun now. We heard the dispatcher screaming about the dead coming back before we got here.
Hospitals no good either, Kirk chimed in. I heard they wanted all the sick and the bit to go there for medical care and youve got to assume that zombies overtook the place pretty quick.
Thats probably true, Eric jumped in. Some guy was acting crazy in the E.R. last night and he took a chunk out of a nurses arm before some cops hauled in off to jail.
So thats how it got into the jail? Sanchez just shook his head. Eric saw the tragic comedy in the situation too. A man, a zombie had spread with just a few bites the infection to two of the most secure and most important infrastructures in Spokane in just a few short hours.
So what do we do from here? Kirk asked the question set in his eyes as he looked at the other three men in the room.
Davis provided the answer, survive, rebuild, and kill as many of those things as we can.
Got plans do you about surviving and staying safe there sergeant? Sanchez prodded. Eric thought the Hispanic Officer sounded confused, like this was the first time he had heard that his superior officer had an idea about living past the next moment. Eric was thankful that someone was thinking ahead, even if he didnt see a way out of the house yet. Making any other plans was pure fantasy at this point.
Davis didnt seem at all deterred by the current problem of escaping the house. He began to recite his plan as if their escape was a foregone conclusion, my grandpa had this old farmhouse out at the McClellan conservation area long before the State came in and made it a nature area. My Dad kept the place up and had the place stocked up during the Cold War. He was afraid the Commies were going to invade someday and wanted to be ready for a siege. Crazy old guy wouldnt have seen this coming but sure did plan like he knew it was coming.
God Davis thats got to be at least forty miles from here. You really think were going to make it out of here and all the way to Rearden without getting attacked by those things? Kirk jerked his thumb towards the door where the desperate moaning of the dead continued. They kept up a steady jarring chorus of groans and cascading pounds against the barricaded door.
Davis turned to the junior Officer fixing him with a hard stare, Getting there isnt going to be the problem Ed. Getting supplies, building some form of protection, having enough food and people to rebuild when this thing gets settled thats going to be the bigger problem. If the Citys been overrun with those things then thats what, two-hundred thousand of those things. Maybe more.
Theyre zombies Davis. Its not like its the boogeyman. Saying their name isnt going to bring them down on us, Ed Kirk was sure of his declaration. Whatever else he might lack faith in the fact that zombies could be real wasnt one of them anymore. Besides we could take over a secure building in town and set up shop there like they did in that movie. We could hide out in a mall like they did.
That didnt work out so well for them in the end if I remember right, Eric blurted out.
Erics right Kirk, driving anywhere into the swarm of these things would be suicide and even if you managed to make it somewhere like a mall you be intentionally moving into a building already under siege. How would you go out and get supplies? We dont have enough bullets to kill even a hundred of those things. Wed never clear a path through those things to get out again. No we have to go somewhere where those zombies havent infiltrated yet.
Do you know anyone in Rearden Davis? People we can warn to get to the farmhouse? Sanchez was flicking the safety of his gun on and off in a ritual where rosary beads might have been more appropriate.
Yeah Sanchez I know a few old timers out that way how spend their days listening to the C.B. radio sipping whiskey on their porches. Assuming the system isnt bogged down with other traffic and I can get in touch with them we can alert them. Davis was starting to slowly pace the living room his combat boots sharply clicking against the hardwood. Theres about two dozen houses near the Conservation Area. Those houses have access to the Spokane River so wed have a constant supply of fresh water. Theres also tons of wood for building which were going to need to once we get settled out there.
Its a good plan assuming when can get out of this house first, Ed pointed out. In the mean time how are we suppose to get out of here?
Three objectives on getting out of here, Davis boomed. He lifted one figure to signal the beginning of his tactical assessment, one, we need something to keep the attention of the zombies focused somewhere other than our escape route. He paused. Eric nodded his head in agreement and turned to see the two other officers also nodding absentmindedly. Two, we need weapons. Davis held up his hand to silence any objection before it came. Weve got guns and weve got bullets for now but those things are going to be worth more than gold now. Gun stores are going to be the first place anyone else alive is going to hit if they can. A lot of people will die trying but eventually someones going to get their hands on a big supply of them and thats not going to be use.
What kinds of things are we looking for exactly Davis, Eric interjected. Something the lead officer had said rattled something loose in his deaden mind.
Davis quick response gave the indication that he had been thinking about this specific topic for a long time. Pickaxes, sledgehammers, crowbars, axes, anything heavy and blunt. We need something solid thats not going to break against the skulls of those things.
Ive got that stuff. Eric smiled for the first time since he had seen the zombies stumbling towards him intent of tearing the flesh from his bones. Ive got one of those for each of us plus a couple of extras.
Good, the last thing we need for a plan to work is a contingency plan. Things like a second line of defense, a shared knowledge about where we do after this. Where we are going, how do get there, and what to do if one of us doesnt make out alive.
The three men sat staring at Davis until it became clear that he didnt have anything more to add to their plan. Sanchez was the first one brave enough to break the silence, So where do we get started?
Eric here says he has the stuff we are looking for so he can show us. Davis had a wicked smile on his face as he turned to stare at Eric.
Bring your guns cause Im going to need you guys to cover me. Eric pushed himself off the couch and walked with confidence past Officer Davis and through the kitchen. He got to the back door turned to the three officers lining up behind him his hand clutching the door knob of the back door. He listened straining to hear any moans or a grumble on the other side. Sure that the way was clear for now he turned back to the officers, once Im out this door shoot anything thats not me.
The three officers nodded raising their guns up towards their chests in a ready position. Eric flicked the lock switch on the door and pushed it open.
It was less than six feet from the back door to the garage door but he was a terrifying few seconds. The key slide into the lock and Eric had the door open and closed in less than ten seconds. Pain fell off Eric like a snake shedding his skin when he realized that he had been holding his breath. He chanced a glance outside the windows set in the bay door of the garage and was thankful not to see any half eaten shuffling forms through the glass.
Realizing that he had just a few seconds of guaranteed safety Eric started plucking his tools off the wall rack. He was able to grab his sledgehammer, two axes, and a pick off the wall. He left the crowbar. He returned to the side door of the garage and passed the tools to Ed who was crouched in the no mans land between the house and the garage. He pressed the tools to his chest like they were new born babies. He pushed passed Sanchez and Davis on his way into the house.
Sanchez stepped out into the space between the two buildings with his hand waving begging Eric to hurry. Eric stepped back into the garage and grabbed the lawn mower but the handle with one hand and snagged a three gallon plastic can of gas with the other. He struggled to drag the mower over the lip of the step leading out of the garage and after a few panicked seconds Sanchez reached around Eric to grab the mower. Eric moved out of the heavy set officers way and climbed back into the house with the gas can swinging at his side. Sanchez followed a few steps behind violently dragging the mower with him.
Eric wiped away rivers of sweat pouring down his forehead once he was safely back inside. Sanchez was huffing. Davis was the first to speak, alright fellas now weve got ourselves an escape plan. Take a shot of whiskey or tequila if thats your preference cause it looks like were making firebombs after all.
Ten minutes later the plan was in place. Each man had a half empty bottle of liquor in front of him stuffed with a gas soaked rag. Davis was standing from the dining room table and tearing a yellow piece of legal pad paper into fourths. He went to Ed Kirk and Sanchez first and handed each man one of the pieces of paper. He came to Eric last and pressed the torn paper into his hand. Dont lose that. Its got the C.B. channel on it as well as the address and route to my grandpas place. If one of us goes down the others keep moving so dont fall behind or get bit.
Eric took the folded piece of paper and jammed in into this jeans pocket. He nodded his understanding and went to the window to take his position. Ed headed down the hall to one of the bed rooms, Sanchez stood behind Eric at the shuttered bay window at the front of the house and Davis was standing behind the mower.
As if signaled Davis yanked on the mower cord and the machine roared. The used a zip tie to hold the choke bar in place and the engine continued to growl as he left the machine running as he followed Ed down the hall. Eric began to count in his head.
Once he reached three minutes he used Eds baton and smashed the glass window open. He ducked down as Sanchez through his Molotov cocktail out the window almost a dozen feet behind the crowd of zombies on the porch. Eric moved up to the open window and hurled his own Molotov cocktail out of the window as he heard another window break and watched the first of Davis or Eds firebomb come arching our of the window of a bed room.
The zombies, so consumed by their incessant growl of the mower ignored the first firebomb but by the time the first few in the back noticed they were already surrounded by a wall of fire. If any of them caught fire Id be a bonus but the plan had always been to create a barrier between the zombies and the men escaping the house.
Officer Kirk and Davis came trudging down the hallway at a sprint storming past Sanchez and Eric in the process. Eric grabbed the gas can and followed in the rear. The three officer were far better shots and if it came to a shootout theyd be better equipped to hand that. Eric pushed through the back door Baxter hot on his heels. Eric motioned the dog ahead of him and Baxter ran up the take his position on Sanchezs heels.
Davis pushed the door open and fired a shot as the door hit the cedar wall Kirk behind him and Sanchez two steps back. As Eric cleared the door he popped the cap on the gas can and started spilling a trail of gas behind him. The officers, Eric, and Baxter made a wide arc of the front lawn the trail of gas bringing up the rear. Eric ran dry fifteen feet from the squad cars and ditched the can. Davis came back around and using a lighter set the trail on fire creating a half finished second firewall to cut off the zombies if they rushed past the flames. The flames on the porch were consuming the porch and nibbling at the edge of Erics house.
Davis Sprinted away from the fire line while Kirk and Sanchez were piling into the closer squad car. Eric whod been skipping the gym for the last few months lagged behind the officers. He was just swinging around the front of Sanchezs car when he saw Davis yell and pulled himself back out of the car. He was clutching his forearm, most of his shirt sleeve was gone and there was blood pouring out from between his fingers. He raised his gun with the injured hand and fired to shot taking off the head of a zombie that was peaking up from over the lip of the dashboard. Eric who had dropped behind the hood of Sanchezs car for cover looked over the sloped hood at Davis who defiantly shook his head before leaving his gun at another zombie who had dared the flames and was charging their position.
Davis shot blew out the back of the creatures head. He turned to Eric and yelled, get the hell out of here kid. Stay alive, save as many as you can. He didnt wait for a reply he turned his steely gaze to the cluster of zombies coming down Weldon Ave and started firing taking down zombies with every patient shot. Eric slid around the hood past Ed in the passenger seat and dove into the back as Sanchez kicked the car in reverse and escaped the suburban hell that had erupted outside his house.