Sleepers 2 Page 5

  My ears were clogged for some reason and everything sounded like a fading echo.

  “Alex! Alex!” Danny screeched. “Oh my God.”

  Phoenix cried. It sounded like a healthy cry.

  They were fine, and that was all that mattered.

  I waited to drift off. The buzz of silence became deafening, and I suspected at anytime a bright light would appear.

  When I came to, if that’s what I could call it, I started feeling guilty.

  Was I one of the living dead?

  My leg twitched and so did my hand. I moved slightly, and thought there it was, I was rising.

  Then I realized I was trapped beneath something. A body. It was Tim the pilot. Something warm seeped against my leg, saturating my pants. It came from Tim, probably his final bodily functions.

  I couldn’t believe I was feeling that. It was a revelation for me that the living dead felt and thought.

  My stomach growled again.

  Damn it.

  A bit more maneuvering and I was able to move Tim from me. He rolled with ease once I got the strength.

  Tim wasn’t a small man and suddenly, the air felt thinner, and it was easier to breathe.

  I wasn’t really breathing right? I was dead.

  It was a memory of living, yeah, that’s what it was.

  I had been pinned by the pilot’s seat, no wonder it was dark. Thankfully, I’m not that tall or bulky and I could stand.

  My head hurt, my legs were sore. Then again, I was pushing forty so they hurt anyhow.

  When I was fully erect in the tipped chopper, I saw Danny through the window.

  He stood about fifteen feet from the chopper, Phoenix in his arms, staring out into the distance.

  The rear ramp was down and open, and even though the cabin door was above my head, it made my awkward exit through the back easier, especially in my state.

  The whole bird was tilted and I walked on the troop bench until I slid out and dropped to the ground.

  I was stiff. My legs didn’t seem to want to move as I staggered around the chopper.

  Rigor mortis had to be setting in.

  Once I could survey the scene, I saw that our pilot had made an impressive crash landing.

  The road was on a large hillside. How we didn’t careen into the ravine below I didn’t know, but we were hundreds of feet above the valley.

  Danny stood looking out. I must have made a noise, because he turned.

  The look on his face would forever be embedded in my mind.

  He screamed.

  God. How bad did I look? I kept thinking, ‘Run, Danny, run!. Don’t let me near you. I don’t know what I’m capable of.’

  “Dude!” Danny said in shock. “I thought you were dead.”

  Was he stupid? Of course, I was dead. I was an animated corpse. Then I tried to speak, knowing full well that all that would emerge was a moan.

  I opened my mouth. “Run, I’m … I’m …” I stopped.

  “You’re what?” Danny asked.

  “I’m …” I looked down at my arms; they seemed fine, then I felt my skin. “I’m alive?” I laughed.

  “Yeah. Did you think you were dead?”

  “Um …”

  Danny laughed. “You thought you were dead?”

  “Didn’t you?” I asked.

  “Well, yeah.”

  I stepped closer to Danny. “Are you guys okay?”

  “Not a scratch on us. You look pretty good, too. Just a cut on your head.”

  I stammered for the words shaking my head in disbelief. “W-why did you think I was dead?”

  “Tim was.”

  “Did you check for a pulse?”

  “On Tim. Not you. You were under Tim and you weren’t moving.”

  “You still should have checked for a pulse, Danny, what the hell?”

  “I was scared. I thought you were dead, I wasn’t touching you and then … then I saw…”

  “Saw what?”

  “I saw it happen, couldn’t miss it. I’m glad we’re far enough away.”

  He pointed and I turned. They were still there, burned like a photograph in the sky. Glowing mushroom clouds, two of them. It struck me breathless.

  “Oh, my God. They said they weren’t using nukes.”

  “They lied,” Danny said solemnly.

  I took a moment, assessed my physical condition, and then took in the surroundings. “Alright, we aren’t gonna have a lot of time, just in case there’s a wind shift and the radiation comes this way. Our best bet is to get deep in the woods, a safe distance from here.”

  “The bug-out bag they packed for my mom and Beck is still on the chopper.”

  “Good. Good.” I nodded. “You wanna carry that or the baby?”

  “The baby.”

  “I figured. Let me go check to see what else we can scavenge from there. Okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  I backed up.

  “Alex?”

  “Yeah?” I spun around.

  “Glad you aren’t dead.”

  “Me too.” With renewed vigor, I walked faster and more freely back to the chopper. I didn’t have it in my mind anymore that I was a walking corpse. I climbed in the rear ramp; the bug-out bag hadn’t been secured and lay right at the door. I needed weapons and I wanted to grab the first aid kit, maybe some flares and anything else I could find.

  I wasn’t on that chopper more than a couple of minutes when Danny called for me. Only this time his voice was loud, almost excited.

  “Alex! Alex, hurry!”

  I peered over my shoulder; Danny was standing with Phoenix at the back of the chopper.

  I secured a weapon in my grip in case there was a problem. Leaving the other things behind, I hurried to the ramp and jumped out instead of sliding this time.

  I hit the dirt road at the same time a truck slid to a grinding halt, blowing so much dirt in the air it created a cloud.

  The truck was only ten feet away and I could hear the opening of the creaking driver’s door.

  The towering figure emerged and he was unmistakable. His face was happy and relieved the moment he locked eyes on us.

  It had only been a day since I had seen him, but it felt longer.

  I was so grateful. We … were so grateful.

  It was Beck.

  11. ALEX SANS

  Out of respect for a brother-in-arms, we took the time to bury Tim, a good man whose expertise in flying had saved our lives. We were at a safe distance from the blast, it was time well spent, and it really didn’t take long. It was good to see Beck. At first I thought, ‘what are the odds?’, then I realized they were pretty good, considering we were all in the same vicinity.

  He patted me on the back like an old comrade and embraced Danny as if he were his own child. And Phoenix … man, when Beck saw Phoenix, the big guy’s eyes watered and he brought that child into his arms. I swore Beck stopped breathing for a moment he held his breath for so long.

  He said it would take us an hour or so to get back to Mera. I drove the truck with him giving directions. He wanted to hold Phoenix.

  “How did you find us?” I asked.

  “I saw and heard the Chinook go down,” Beck said. “I could tell that he was going into a roll on landing, so chances were someone was alive. I figured the chopper was from the ARC. My gut instinct was they had a change of heart about us or were bringing us supplies. What the hell are Phoenix and Danny doing out here?”

  “It was part of my deal,” I told him. “They could have Phoenix for the six months but he never leaves our sight. In order to have him and us, they had to save you guys, meaning halt the bombs and lift you safely somewhere else. We went looking for you and you were gone.” “What gave you so much control?” Beck asked.

  “The baby.”

  “Yeah, but you were in the ARC. They had you already.”

  I kind of turned from Beck for a moment and kept driving. “Do I stay on this road?”

  Danny poked his head in betwee
n the seats. “Alex threatened to kill the baby,” he announced.

  Beck shot a look at me.

  “What?” I asked. “I didn’t mean it.”

  “Dude, seriously,” Danny said. “You should have seen it. Alex had his hand over the little guy’s head, looked like he was gonna snap his neck. Had this mean glare on his face. He did it right in front of the President.”

  “I really don’t see where you had a choice,” Beck said. “I probably would have threatened the same thing.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How long did you keep up the ruse? Did they know when you left that you were gonna kill him?” Beck questioned.

  I opened my mouth to speak but Danny did first. “Man, it was funny. The President called his bluff and Alex folded in like ten seconds.”

  Beck laughed with a shake of his head.

  “Will you knock it off, mister ‘They taught me nothing in military school’?” I snapped at Danny. “I folded and then I reasoned. The President listened. Bet he’s pissed now.”

  “Yeah,” Beck said with a nod of agreement. “Did you hear if the pilot sent a grid?”

  “Yeah, so as soon as it’s safe they’ll come looking for us.” I exhaled. “I don’t want to go back, but Phoenix here is the cure, so we’re gonna have to. Maybe we can talk Mera into going and we can hang with Jessie.”

  “My mom’s not gonna leave Jessie,” Danny said. “And for sure won’t leave Beck after what he did for her and my sister.” Danny reached up and grabbed Beck’s shoulder. “Thanks, man.”

  “Speaking of which …” I said. “Beck, are you okay? I mean, that was scary for me, I can’t imagine how it was for you guys.”

  Beck replied, “I tried to keep my cool for Mera and Jessie, but it was sobering and sad. Then, you know, it turned like a switch and we went with it.”

  “How?” I asked. “I know I got the bombs to be delayed, but the hospital was overrun. How did you get out?”

  “We had help.”

  I peered to the rearview mirror to Danny, who perked with interest.

  Then Beck did something I rarely have seen him do. He smiled an arrogant smile, one of those pretty-boy half smiles.

  “What?” I asked him.

  “Well, I know you read the Doctrines and all. I don’t know how far you got or even if it is there, but …” The smile grew wider. “I’ve been waiting to tell you this.”

  “What? What?”

  Beck grinned. I thought for a second he really shouldn’t do that because he stops looking threatening and more like a teddy bear when he smiles.

  “Who helped us. Spoiler alert,” Beck said. “Pastor Mike is alive.”

  “Oh yeah?” I said with little surprise and peeked again in the mirror to Danny. “Well, big guy, I knew. Ha! We both did. I read more of the Doctrines while at the ARC. And, as they say, spoiler alert.” I reached over and patted him on the knee. “The Doctrines state the Padre is the Son of God.”

  12. MERA STEVENS

  “You saw the flash,” Michael said. “You know what that means.”

  “But what if it was the other types of bombs and they were close?”

  Michael’s hands closed firmly on my upper arms. “No. That was blinding white light. But I couldn’t tell you how far.”

  I whispered, “Beck.”

  “He probably took cover and that’s what is taking so long. And Mera, we need to shelter up. For a few days, in case of radiation.”

  I crinkled my brow at that. He had to be insane. Radiation? If I didn’t feel any rumbling of the ground, nor hear an explosion, that meant the bombs went off far enough away. How could we get hit with radiation?

  There was a look on Michael’s face that conveyed he was concerned and if he was, I would be too.

  The ranch wasn’t far, but it was still a trot, and leaving our things, Michael, Jessie, and I made our way to the house.

  It was a beautiful home that exuded a sense of eeriness. It appeared dark even in the daylight. It had a long front porch, the kind I had always wanted.

  The curtains were drawn.

  I looked at Michael. “You think someone’s here?”

  “No. Not with Sleepers eating the horses. No. But, just to be sure …” he raised his voice and called, “Hello! Anyone home?”

  Pause. Nothing.

  “Hello!”

  We waited. Nothing.

  “Let’s leave Jessie out here and go check, she’s fine,” Michael suggested.

  I wouldn’t say she was fine. Yes, she was safe from Sleepers, but not from her own state of mind. Jessie was like a child; I had to have some assurance. I thought about it a moment, checked out what was around. I spotted the garden hose on the ground next to the swing. Taking Jessie’s hand I led her to the bench.

  “Mommy’s gonna play a game, okay?”

  “’Kay.” She smiled.

  “I need you to sit, Jessie.”

  Her face brightened when she realized the bench swung.

  “Yes, you can swing,” I told her. “Stay here.” I lifted the garden hose. I knew I didn’t have to tie it, just secure it lightly around her, enough to hold her down. “You have to stay put.”

  “’Kay.” She smiled, touching my hair as I secured her with the garden hose. I was brought back to when she was three and how infatuated she was with touching my hair. It made me smile. Just as I brought the hose around her, I caught movement.

  The window was right behind the swing. While the curtains were closed, there was a slight parting, maybe an inch or so, enough to get a glimpse. I finished my task and inched behind the swing.

  “What do you see?” Michael asked.

  It was hard to make out. Whoever lived in the home had placed plastic over the windows, perhaps thinking it had been a biological attack. I could see inside through the small curtain gap, but the plastic gave a foggy effect. Despite that, I clearly saw two figures. It looked as though one person was seated directly in front of the window, the other on a sofa. With an airy exhale of disbelief, I turned and looked at Michael.

  “There are people in there. They’re ignoring us.”

  “Maybe they’re dead.”

  I looked again. This time I saw movement and though it was dark, I could make out what they were doing. I huffed out a laugh. “They’re alive. Eating off of TV trays.”

  “Why wouldn’t they answer us?”

  “Afraid.”

  Michael opened up the screen door and reached for the doorknob. “It’s locked. Keep looking, see what they do.”

  I nodded.

  “Hello!” Michael knocked. “I know you’re in there. We mean no harm!” He looked over at me. “Anything?”

  “Ignoring you.”

  “Unbelievable.” He pounded harder. “Hey, we need help! We need shelter. Just for a few days. I don’t know if you know this but bombs have gone off. Nuclear warheads. We have a young girl with us!”

  They kept eating. “They aren’t budging. Maybe they’re deaf.”

  Michael tried another approach. “I’m a minister. I swear to you, we only need help.” He hit his fist one more time.

  I saw the person in the chair; their head jolted toward the door then returned to eating.

  “They heard you.” I said. “They’re hoping we go away. They obviously are harmless or else would have shot at us.”

  “Look! We took care of those things out here. It’s safe.” He lowered his head then exhaled. “Hell with it.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Going in.” He brought around his weapon, flipped it butt-side down and at the same time, he slammed the weapon against the doorknob while blasting against the door.

  It opened, and Michael nearly rolled in.

  “Stay here,” I instructed Jessie and followed Michael.

  I don’t know how he stood there without vomiting everywhere.

  The stench was unbearable. It blasted me the second I stepped into the long hallway. Immediately I brought my shirt over my nose. I
couldn’t pinpoint the smell as one single thing. It was urine, feces, vomit, and a sulfuric rotten-egg smell, laced with a sour presence.

  Unbearable was an understatement.

  “Breathe through your mouth,” Michael instructed. He cleared his throat, and then coughed. A cough I was certain was an attempt to hold back a gag.

  Breathe through my mouth? The stench was so strong, I’d probably taste it. No, I kept my mouth shut. The living room was immediately to our left. I have to say I was proud of myself for not throwing up, but I knew I would at some point. That was just me.

  With his shotgun extended, Michael stepped cautiously into the living room. “Oh my God.”

  The stunned sound of his voice made me step forward with him.

  There were two people. The woman was in the chair, the man on the couch; both had a television tray in front of them, watching a powerless TV.

  They didn’t acknowledge us. They kept eating. Their faces were smeared with blood both dry and fresh. Both of them had that ‘dead’ Sleeper look to them, pale and pasty. I don’t know what that was on their full plates, but whatever it was, it reeked and was rotten. Maggots swarmed about, covering their fingers as they brought the food to their mouths.

  “God forgive me…” Michael pumped the chamber on the shotgun.

  For some reason that caught their attention and they stopped. At the same time and in the same movement they stood. As the man rose, I saw strands of fecal matter pull from his saturated pants, stretching like taffy from the fabric of the sofa.

  They moved towards us. Heads tilted, mouths open, eyes wide. Watching us, studying us. Of all the Sleepers I had seen, these were the vilest looking. They looked different somehow.

  Processing the scene, fighting the urge to vomit, I stared at the face of the woman. Remnants of whatever she had eaten flowed from her mouth. The blast of Michael’s shotgun jolted me out of my daze.

  He had put the man down. I didn’t see it, I heard it. When I turned to see the man’s body sprawled ten feet away from the women, Michael shot the woman.

  He lowered his weapon and his head. “We need to check the rest of the house. Maybe look for a basement. We can’t stay in here.”

  No kidding, I thought. Using Jessie as my excuse, I poked my head out of the door, heaved in a breath of fresh air and told her I would be right back, reminding her to stay put.