Losers vs. Zombies, page 11
Steve’s death will always hurt.
Chapter 14
Our group had a short ceremony for Steve. We took turns saying a few words in his honor. The locals did something like that with their two lost people.
Around noon, I grabbed Harold and Bob, along with some of the soldiers, and headed for Madison Square Garden. Steve said it best. This place was perfect for what we wanted. I started expecting to get over thirty thousand again. Maybe a lot more.
I did a quick walk through trying to memorize the layout. The guns were going off at regular intervals outside the building. We were in a high density area. That meant I had to plan accordingly.
We were on our way back to the apartments after only a few minutes. I knew enough. I hoped so anyway.
I gathered Pete, Bob, and Harold in my apartment.
“Pete, find out if anyone here is really good with stereos. Whether it is a soldier or one of the locals. We need someone to handle the things Steve used to do. Luckily, he had taught the soldiers what to look for when driving one of the trucks to lure the zombies in. Now we need someone to set up the stereo where it will be loud enough to attract the zombies from a good distance.”
“You got it. Is there anything else?” Pete asked.
“When you find someone, bring them to me and I will tell them what we want. I will be asking you to get a few soldiers together to take that person around so they can get the things they need.” I informed him.
“I’ll get right on it.” Pete said and left.
“Bob and Harold, the Garden probably has a sprinkler system for fires. You will need to disable it. I need you guys to figure out a way to barricade the doors where we will be leaving. We will either be leaving by the 8th Street side on the western part or the pizza place on the north, kind of northwest part of the building. Scout both exits and see what needs to be done. If one is clearly easier than the other, let me know. Also, you guys have gotten pretty good at judging the amount of accelerant needed. Take a quick walk through and try to see what you will require. I have some ideas for the set up but if something strikes you, tell me and we can talk about it. Any questions?”
“No, I don’t think so. We are figuring out what to look for. We can handle this.” Harold assured me.
“Just make sure you take some soldiers with you. That is a high density area. Stay safe, whatever you do.” I looked closely at them to make sure they understood. Both seemed to get it well enough.
They left and I took my second three pill dose of pain killers. I eased my shoes off of my feet. I tried to lay back but the pain down my spine had me locked up for a few moments. It was long past being too much for me to handle.
I felt blessed to get thirty minutes uninterrupted rest. That was when Jennifer and Tom knocked on my door. I told them to enter since I wasn’t getting up to answer it.
“Do you feel like talking?” Jennifer asked.
“Sure. I can do that much without a problem. What’s on your mind?” I sat up some. I hoped they weren’t going to complain.
“We would really like to be involved in the setup of the plans you make. We are so very grateful for everything you guys have done for us. We want to start helping. We need to start helping.” Tom spoke.
“You couldn’t have said anything better! Steve was my unofficial second in command. The little guy with the glasses said you two were good at decision making. You will need that. I want to go over what we look for and how I plan these jobs so you guys can organize amongst yourselves and help us.” I told them.
“That’s what we want too.” Jennifer said. “Where do we begin?”
“Have a seat and I will get you guys started.” I explained all the things that I looked for in a fire site. I spent time stressing to them what safety measures were needed. After a few minutes Tom went around my apartment and found a pen and notepad. He was writing intensely after that. I spent hours describing everything from accelerant to sprinkler systems. They seemed to be catching on.
“That’s a lot of things to think about.” Tom said.
“There’s one more thing. This needs to be done today, if possible. Go around to all your local people. Get an idea of what they did for a living. Find out if they had any special talents or interest. You will need someone who is really good with stereos, a truck driver would come in very handy, construction guys help a lot, and someone who can help with injuries like a doctor or nurse. Just look at Bob and Harold, they worked in a hardware store. Those two have been crucial to our success so far.” I said.
“I think we can handle most of the things you’ve said. We might have trouble with the planning parts though.” Tom stated.
“Look, everyone keeps saying I am some kind of genius or something. I’m not. Nowhere close. I came up with the idea of using fire when we were trapped in a Fred’s Dollar Store. We had a bunch of what I laughingly, and fondly, call ‘the losers’ hiding inside the store. I will admit to all kinds of weirdness including almost crippling social anxieties. That’s why I think a little differently than most. Anyone can learn to see what is needed.”
“I’m not so sure. You make it sound so easy but we were about to die here with six hundred people. You bring forty or so with you and kill thirty thousand zombies in the first day you arrive. You deserve more credit than you are claiming.” Jennifer said.
“What I am about to say stays between the three of us. I won’t last much longer. The pain is too bad now. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought of asking someone to find me a wheelchair.” I paused and shook my head. “You guys will start needing to plan out your own traps soon. When I came here from Mobile, I left Colonel Burke with two reusable death traps for the zombies. Both places on the road we have hit here are reusable. Madison Square Garden might be destroyed but you will see the way we lay it out. With all these big ass buildings, you guys will have a lot of chances to set more traps. Just be careful not to burn the whole city down, okay?”
“That’s just one of the things that could go wrong.” Tom said.
“Once you see how we set up the Garden, you will have a much better idea of what to do. Bob and Harold will be doing most of the work. Watch them and learn. Ask them any questions you may have. Neither of them is very talkative but they are very nice and will understand why you need to know.”
“If you say so.” Jennifer said.
It continues to blow my mind how these people trust me so much after only a few days’ time. What the hell?
“You guys need to get started questioning your locals. Find out what they can do. I think you should take Laura, Tina, and Angie with you. They know more of the things that will help you see who will be most useful.”
Tom and Jennifer left then. I was able to rest for a while. I really wanted more pills but knew I couldn’t take more. The pain felt like it was killing me, too many pain pills would finish the job. I closed my eyes and hoped for sleep.
At the end of the day I started receiving reports from my people. Harold and Bob had the Garden plans ready. They already picked up the accelerant and things for the barricade. Pete found one of the soldiers who knew enough about stereos to get the job done. They had the equipment and knew what to do. Walkie talkies were found so we could communicate better. The soldiers already had radios but the locals who wanted to help felt like a part of the team once they had their own.
The next morning Bob and Harold came in to my apartment. They were expecting me to go with them. I begged off and assured them they could handle this one without me. They didn’t like it.
“You guys have been at every job we’ve pulled. You know all you need to know. Make sure you have everything in place from entering the building to the sheets you will be using as a fuse when you leave. If I didn’t think you two could do this, I would be going.” I lied. I couldn’t go if my life depended on it.
“If you say so.” Bob said.
Once again that blind trust was shown. I wondered what would happen if I ever failed them too badly.
“Send Pete and Anthony in for a minute before you guys leave.” I told them.
“We’ll send Anthony. Pete already left to try and set a perimeter around the building.” Harold explained.
“Good enough.” I said.
They left and Anthony knocked a few minutes later.
“You wanted to see me?” He asked.
“Yes. I wanted to remind you guys that these locals don’t know what they are doing yet. Take a little extra care with them if you can. Harold and Bob will be running this one. I am not going. The pain is too bad right now.”
“No way! You have to be there. What if something goes wrong?”
“I can make mistakes just like everyone else, Anthony. Bob and Harold know what they are doing. As long as you guys follow the plan, everything will turn out alright. Trust me, okay?” I said.
“Yes sir. I will try.” Anthony moaned.
“What did I say about calling me sir? I would almost rather be called dumbass than sir.” I said to lighten him up. It worked.
“I guess you like Amy then.” Anthony said with a smile.
He left and I took some more pills.
I was very worried something would go wrong. I tried my best to seem confident when I spoke to someone even though it was a growing worry in the back of my mind. I began to pray.
I never prayed for God to take my pain away during these times. It seemed selfish. He had more important things to think about.
I waited for word. I should have told them to leave a radio with me so I could keep up with their progress. I would have been able to help them if they encountered a problem as well. It was too late now.
I hoped Jennifer and Tom wasn’t getting in the way. Their people were learning what to do from my group and they would be pressed for time without constant questioning. Not being there was much harder than I thought.
When they finally returned, everyone was smiling. I waited for Bob or Harold to come fill me in.
“It went off without a hitch.” Bob said as soon as he was through the door.
“How many did we get?” I asked.
“At least thirty thousand or so. You know how hard it is to tell. They kept filing into the arena like they did the pits we made out of the roads. I wish Mobile had been this easy!” Harold added with a smile.
“You guys need to remember the population difference. There were several million people here. Mobile only had a few hundred thousand. That’s why we are getting such high numbers. Was any of our groups hurt?”
“Nope, everyone is fine.” Bob reported. “Those two local leaders sure were asking a lot of questions.”
“I told them to. I want them to be able to learn what we do.”
“Why? We are here to take care of things. Why do we need to teach them?” Harold asked.
“Because, there is the rest of the country to think about. One day soon, I think some, if not all of our group will need to leave here and move to another area. We can find survivors in other large cities and show them what to do like we are here.” I explained.
“I didn’t think about that.” Bob said.
They both grew quiet for a minute to let that sink in. I had been thinking this for days now but was reluctant to tell anyone. The only way to end this zombie epidemic would be to spread the word. Teach as many groups as we could.
“Tell the others and if you see Jennifer or Tom, tell them to come see me.” I instructed. They headed for my door.
Newark was the next destination I had in mind. I had been through there several times. I knew it didn’t have the natural set ups in place already like New York. We would be using buildings a lot and whatever else we could find.
Now I just needed to hope I would be able to make the trip. Once Bob and Harold left to inform the rest of our group of what I said, I took some more pills.
“Hey, Brad. That was exhilarating!” Tom said as he and Jennifer entered. “Harold said you wanted to speak with us.”
“Yes. I wanted to prepare the two of you. I told you how I left some reusable traps for Colonel Burke when we left Mobile, right?” I asked them.
“I remember you saying that.” Jennifer stated.
“Well, you two will have three reusable places as well as a lot of buildings. I think my group will be leaving New York soon.”
“No! You can’t! We need you guys. Things are just starting to be alright now.” Tom exclaimed.
“You guys know what to do now. You won’t need us anymore. We will help you find guns and the supplies you will need. I will answer as many questions as you two can ask. You need to assign someone from your local group to shadow each person from my group. Maybe even two of yours for every one of mine. That way, you will have the same basic knowledge that my people have.”
They sat quietly while that registered in their heads. They looked scared and worried. They need to get started planning for when we left though. That’s why I decided to go ahead and tell everyone about our leaving.
“Why though? You all could stay here and help us.” Jennifer said.
“Because the rest of the country is just as bad as New York. Like I said before, I left Burke with ways to keep killing the zombies. I told him what to look for and how to set things up. My group is doing the same for you. It won’t be easy but you guys can do this. You just have to follow the plans I am giving you. Soon, you will be coming up with your own ideas that might be better than what I’m teaching you.”
They said they would start trying to prepare themselves. They walked out depressed but knowing it was the right thing.
I stretched out on the couch since I wasn’t sure I could make it to the bedroom.
Chapter 15
I woke needing to use the restroom. Badly. I almost didn’t make it in time. What I was doing could barely be called walking anymore. Once again I had to wonder how much longer I could last.
Harold and Bob came by early. They were accompanied by three men. Apparently, Jennifer and Tom had done what I told them. Good.
“Were you wanting us to start on the east side road Tom told us about?” Bob asked.
“Yes. Go ahead and show Troy where it is and have him take the bulldozer over to get started. You guys know the drill. Figure out what the site needs and plan out the fire. Tell Pete to round up the drivers that lure the zombies in. They will need to scout the area. Remember, they might not need to lure the zombies at all. We didn’t need to at either place on the west side. Make sure to tell Pete that. They are only looking in case there isn’t a high enough density of zombies.” I instructed.
“You got it boss man.” Bob said with a smile.
He and Harold left then. The three locals left with them.
“What do you need us to do today?” Tina and Laura had dropped in. They were joined by two more of the locals.
Usually Bob or Harold kept them working on projects. I usually didn’t see the others from our old group much anymore.
“I need you two to run a personal errand for me. I need you to go around to the local drugstores and get me more pain pills. I will give you the names of the pills I need. I also want you to try and find a decent wheelchair for me. I’m not getting around too well anymore.” I said in a subdued tone.
“Is it that bad now? We knew you hurt but didn’t seem to want to talk about it. Is that why you weren’t with us yesterday?” Laura asked.
“Yes. I can barely walk now. I don’t know how much longer I will be able to get around at all. Did you two speak with Bob and Harold about us leaving New York soon?”
“He told us about it. Where are we headed?” Tina asked.
“I was thinking about Newark. That is a good candidate anyway.” I told them.
“Sounds good enough for me. Are the soldiers coming with us?” Tina asked.
“I don’t know for sure but I would think so. Some of them might want to stay here, like Anthony, he is from Brooklyn. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided to stay.” I had been wondering about that.
“Would it be possible for some of us to come with you guys?” One of the locals asked.
“I would be okay with some of you joining us, but it would be really hard if we have too many people. Finding enough food to feed a hundred people every day can be tough.” I hoped there wouldn’t be many.
“I’ve heard some of our people talking this morning. They want to leave here. They think it would be much safer to stay with you.” The same girl said.
“Actually, it will be much more dangerous. A month from now, Manhattan will be one of the safest places in the country. You guys won’t be constantly seeing hundreds or thousands of zombies. The more you kill the safer it gets. The numbers we’ve been getting will be going down soon. The first few waves of zombies are gone. Your people need to understand that. We will be on the road never knowing what is around the next turn.”
“We will tell them.” The girl said.
“Give us the names of the pills and we will go find some.” Laura said. I wrote down the names for her and they left.
The locals needed to stay here. It was as simple as that. I did hope the soldiers would come with us. I would need to speak with Pete and Anthony sometime today.
I was in so much pain from my short trip to the bathroom, I decided to take a ‘see you tomorrow’ pill. I tried my best to stay away from them since I was so needed by the others. I didn’t have an option anymore.
It was dark when I woke up. There was a wheelchair and a bag full of pain pills sitting by the couch. Since my bladder was about to burst, I pulled the wheelchair close and stood just long enough to sit in it. I made my trip to the bathroom and headed to the kitchen for some water. I had just swallowed three pain pills when I heard a knock on my door.
“Come in!” I shouted.
“Hey, Brad. I needed to speak with you.” It was Anthony.
“I think I know what this is about.” I looked at him and asked, “You don’t want to leave New York, do you?”
