{"id":248,"date":"2013-07-21T22:35:57","date_gmt":"2013-07-21T22:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/?page_id=248"},"modified":"2013-07-21T22:35:57","modified_gmt":"2013-07-21T22:35:57","slug":"chapter-52","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/story\/chapter-52\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 52"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 52<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Prepare them for anything and everything.\u00a0 Be sure to think of every eventuality, and get them ready.\u00a0 Make the choices you believe in, no matter how hard they are.\u00a0 That\u2019s the job of a leader who\u2019s supposed to ready his troops.\u00a0 It\u2019s a hard responsibility, one not to take lightly.\u00a0 You are often hated for it.\u00a0 People get angry and disagree, but in the end, it\u2019s like being a parent.\u00a0 The same principles apply.<\/i><\/p>\n

You do what\u2019s best for everyone; you deal with any negativity that comes your way.\u00a0 Your \u201cchildren\u201d may hate you, but in the end, it\u2019s worth it if they\u2019re safe.\u00a0 In my case, it\u2019s for the best if we\u2019re all able to stay alive.\u00a0 I choose certain people to defend, others to hold down the homestead, so to speak, and set the roles.\u00a0 It\u2019s not a job I enjoy, but it\u2019s basic survival tactics that I believe will keep us alive.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I do what I have to.<\/i><\/p>\n

And you know, there\u2019s a spirit rising within us now.\u00a0 A defiant one that wants to stay alive.\u00a0 We all know the odds are slim, and yet the human spirit is screaming for us to fight the inevitable.\u00a0 At first, we were all scared and unsure of what was to come.\u00a0 Now, we know what our lives may be and how short they can be.<\/i><\/p>\n

But at least we\u2019ll go down fighting.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Tuesday, April 24, 2012<\/b>
\nWeek One<\/i><\/p>\n

He could see the darkened sky, flashes of lightning striking far in the distance, followed by rumbles of thunder booming ominously.\u00a0 It was raining hard, as he stood in the doorway of the church.\u00a0 The pitter-pattering upon the church roof simply reminded him that nothing was ever for sure these days, not even a simple plan.\u00a0 Another one of the spring showers was hampering what he\u2019d planned to have been a simple run of the base, to make sure others knew the layout.\u00a0 Howie, of course, knew, but he no longer trusted Howie\u2019s leadership skills, like he had in the beginning.\u00a0 AJ knew, of course, but Kevin wanted to make sure he\u2019d thought of everything.<\/p>\n

Just in case.\u00a0 <\/i>Those were the three words that had morphed into almost a prayer within the last nine days.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d already made one mistake, one that had almost gotten them all killed.\u00a0 He had thought the creatures wouldn\u2019t stumble upon them somehow.\u00a0 Yet a simple damn window, which was, in truth, a gigantic flaw in their shelter, had almost cost them their lives.\u00a0 And while there was no intelligence within the rotting minds of zombies, there was a sense of instinct, primal and primitive.\u00a0 That instinct would lead them to food, every time.\u00a0 Just like any other creature of the wild \u2013 this was what they were, in a sense, no matter how unnatural they were as well.<\/p>\n

The rain blew in through the shattered, stained-glass window, now nothing more than a gigantic, gaping hole above the altar.\u00a0 Everyone was in the back rooms, except himself.\u00a0 Kevin stood in the doorway, debating whether or not he should still take Nick, Brian, Riley, and even Nick\u2019s dog, Spunky, out on a familiarity run of the base in this weather.\u00a0 AJ was to stay behind and guard the church, as he already knew the setup of the base. He\u2019d learned in better conditions than the small group that Kevin was still debating even taking out.\u00a0 It would be unpleasant, and the last thing any of them needed was the thought of getting sick.\u00a0 But on the flip side of the coin, it would also be good to go out in these conditions because, as last night had proved, they would not always be the ones setting the battle conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s raining.\u201d<\/p>\n

He felt himself smirk at his younger cousin as he stepped up beside Kevin.\u00a0 \u201cNo shit, Sherlock.\u201d\u00a0 He paused, remembering how Brian used to feel about language.\u00a0 \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be.\u00a0 Shit happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin raised a brow at him, confused as ever at the way Brian had been acting the past couple days.\u00a0 It made no sense to him; it was like the person he\u2019d known had been twisted and warped into someone else entirely.\u00a0 It made him concerned.\u00a0 It made him wonder if Brian would be suicidal, if not for his religious beliefs.\u00a0 Beliefs he seemed to be keeping hidden for the moment.<\/p>\n

The thoughts were too unsettling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Brian finally asked, when he noticed the way it got the older man lost in thought.<\/p>\n

Kevin turned to him, staring into the steely blue eyes that were haunted by death.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re asking me<\/i> \u2018what?\u2019\u00a0 I should be asking you that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about it anyways, so go ahead and ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBrian-\u201d\u00a0 Although Kevin had always had several inches of height on his younger cousin, suddenly the cold stare coming from Brian made him feel like he was six inches tall rather than six feet.\u00a0 It was a look that didn\u2019t seem right, coming from the once always at peace man.\u00a0 Brian brushed past him, turning back only for a moment\u2019s pause.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave it alone, Kevin, and don\u2019t say anything.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to go get the weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWeapons?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we\u2019re going out and around today, aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n

Question answered.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s raining, Kevin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDuh, Nick.\u00a0 You\u2019re so observant\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Two bodies stepped up beside him.\u00a0 He knew simply from the voices who they belonged to.\u00a0 He turned to see the Riley and Nick behind him, staring outside with the same looks of interest.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, not everyone is like you and loves playing in the rain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still going out in it,\u201d he informed them, and they went silent, watching the lightning blaze angrily across the sky.<\/p>\n

All were was strapped with weapons and ammunition, ready to go.\u00a0 Of the three, the storm was making two of them hesitate.\u00a0 Kevin and Nick, to be specific.\u00a0 Riley looked happy, content even, at the idea of hunting in the rain.\u00a0 Brian looked like he wouldn\u2019t care even if it was raining fire from the heavens, as he came back with weapons of his own.\u00a0 His determination to go out and kill the creatures was clearly set into his expression, his stance, his presence.\u00a0 Spunky\u2019s excited barks brought them all back to attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know the weather isn\u2019t pleasant, but we\u2019re not always going to be able to pick our battles, and we need to make sure as many people as possible know the layout of the base.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlan on dying anytime soon, Kevin?\u201d Brian said, as he adjusted his weapon over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never know these days.\u00a0 So here\u2019s how we\u2019ll do it.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to take Brian\u2019s truck; Nick and Riley, I want you sitting out in the bed.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be sniping and luring out any that may be around.\u00a0 We need to get this place cleared out as soon as we can.\u00a0 I want you to be as accustomed to the layout as possible; we can clear out some marks and get you more comfortable with the place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley grinned, as she watched the rain fall earnestly.\u00a0 \u201cSounds good to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, hold up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick pouted, as he hurried back to grab one of the few jackets amongst them.\u00a0 Kevin had no idea who had brought it, but wished they\u2019d brought more.\u00a0 It was just yet another thing to be added to the list of \u201cThings I Should Have Thought Of,\u201d<\/i> at the top of which, highlighted in red, was the now-shattered, stained-glass church window.\u00a0 He nodded when Nick returned, tossing their only poncho to Riley, who gave him a look.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what are you gonna wear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Nick, I-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, really, just humor me and put it on.\u201d\u00a0 Her eyes narrowed, but she put it on accordingly.\u00a0 Nick, he noticed, only had a t-shirt.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t make any more sarcastic remarks, which Kevin had learned was a specialty of hers.\u00a0 She simply gave Nick a soft smile that surprised Kevin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soon, the three, as predicted, were soaked with the pouring rain.\u00a0 Riley and Nick hopped into the back of the truck, guns at the ready.\u00a0 They were soon accompanied by Nick\u2019s most faithful companion, as the retriever settled beside her master.\u00a0 The two sat with their backs against each other, shooting glances between them, while Kevin and Brian got into the cab.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re gonna get drenched.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax, Nick, no worries; you\u2019re not going to melt.\u00a0 According to Kayleigh, I\u2019m the witch, so it should be me who won\u2019t survive getting wet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, see, you need the poncho.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWoof!\u00a0 Woof!\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin chuckled to himself, as he watched the two laughing in his rearview mirror.\u00a0 It seemed at least some were going to be able to find something within the ruins of the earth that had become Hell.\u00a0 Brian refused to look at him directly.\u00a0 He shut the door to the truck roughly, and Kevin started the engine.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know why you did this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we can lure out zombies.\u201d\u00a0 He shifted the truck into gear and began to drive.\u00a0 \u201cAnd so I can show you where everything is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian rolled his eyes, as he put down his window and began to load one of his handguns.\u00a0 \u201cAre you kidding me?\u00a0 I know you better than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, we\u2019ll just not talk, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

An uneasy silence settled between the two while Kevin drove.\u00a0 He continued to drive, as shots rang out in the air.\u00a0 His eyes shifted upwards to glimpse a horde of zombies that had gotten a whiff of the two blondes in back.\u00a0 Two by two, they fell, giving Kevin a small smile of confidence in the two he had chosen to bring with them.\u00a0 He looked at Brian, waiting for him to elaborate, the way he knew he wanted to.\u00a0 Finally, the former minister took a deep breath, readying himself to respond.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to know why I didn\u2019t tell Gretchen the truth.\u00a0 That\u2019s why you decided to do this.\u00a0 Hunt zombies and weasel the truth out of me.\u00a0 Two birds, one stone.\u00a0 Look, we grew up together, only a couple houses from each other.\u00a0 Don\u2019t think I don\u2019t know how you work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo just talk to me, man.\u00a0 Make things easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2019s going to make things easier.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 But fine, you want to know why I lied?\u00a0 Here, I\u2019ll lay it out for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin kept the vehicle at a steady speed, slowed to make sure the zombies would be within range of Nick and Riley, who, with the occasional glance back at the bed of the truck, he assured were still doing alright.\u00a0 \u201cEnlighten me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause there is no God, as far as I\u2019m concerned.\u00a0 So I\u2019m not a pastor, a man of God, or whatever.\u00a0 I\u2019m not.\u00a0 Not anymore.\u00a0 So I told her the truth, from my<\/i> point of view.\u00a0 And if there is<\/i> a God, then he\u2019s no savior of mine to take everything away and leave me trapped in this hell on earth.\u00a0 Think about it, Kevin:\u00a0 if there\u2019s a Hell, what the hell is this that we\u2019re dealing with now?\u201d<\/p>\n

This blatant confession almost shocked the older man enough to finally stop the truck.\u00a0 He stared at Brian, while keeping track of where they were going.\u00a0 He hardly recognized the man before him.\u00a0 They\u2019d always been family, but they\u2019d also been friends, despite their different paths in life.\u00a0 This was a version of Brian unlike anything he\u2019d ever seen.\u00a0 If there had been one thing that was consistent about Brian, it had always been his resilient and steady beliefs in God.<\/p>\n

For the first time in ages, Kevin Richardson was left completely speechless.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought.\u00a0 Now that we\u2019ve got that out of the way, you can show us the vitals around the base now, like you planned to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, you know what?\u00a0 Pull over.\u00a0 I want to switch with Riley or Nick.\u201d\u00a0 Waiting till after Kevin stopped the truck, Brian hopped out quickly.\u00a0 He ran around to the bed, and Kevin could see him chatting with Riley and Nick.<\/p>\n

The young woman shook her head, as she reloaded her gun.\u00a0 Nick, however, looked almost ecstatic.\u00a0 He saw Spunky trot over to the other side of the back, barking menacingly at any undead she sensed.\u00a0 Within mere moments, Nick leaped out, as Brian climbed in.\u00a0 Nick headed to the passenger door, quickly scrambling in.\u00a0 After giving a smile, Nick shook his head a bit to dry out his shaggy, golden hair.\u00a0 The action reminded Kevin of Spunky and made him notice that the loyal canine reflected Nick\u2019s personality quite accurately.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, glad to finally be out of that rain.\u00a0 Man, I don\u2019t get why she loves getting drenched so much.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned, as Kevin started up the car once more, before the trailing horde of zombies caught up.\u00a0 Nick looked content, despite his constant glances to the back to, assumedly, check on Riley.\u00a0 He shivered a bit, rolled up the window, and glanced at Kevin.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo where are we heading?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need some more clothing.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have enough for everyone, at least not without being able to wash it.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to hit up the military clothing store.\u00a0 Then, on the way back, I\u2019m going to make sure you guys take note of the important spots.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright.\u00a0 Hey, are you okay?\u201d Nick asked.\u00a0 His tone was sincere, and the look on his boyish face was one of concern, as he wrapped his arms around himself, shivering.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine.\u00a0 Just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFamily drama.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, and maybe I should\u2019ve waited on this.\u00a0 You\u2019re freezing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick shook his head, waving the thought off.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u00a0 There was only one poncho, and so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was good of you to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick simply shrugged.\u00a0 Kevin made a turn, one that would take them longer to get to the destination he had in mind, but one that was needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee the houses we\u2019re passing?\u00a0 That\u2019s part of the goal.\u00a0 If we can clear this place enough\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can break up into smaller groups, and the groups each share a house?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 I can see if I can fix the generators so that they only wire to those three houses in the neighborhood.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want anyone living alone, just in case.\u00a0 But the church isn\u2019t going to last forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick nodded.\u00a0 \u201cNo, it\u2019s not.\u00a0 Last night\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He ran his hand along his arm, crisscrossed by so many cuts that would turn into scars and forever remind him of the night before.\u00a0 \u201cIt freaked me out, man.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not alone in that, Nick,\u201d Kevin said, reaching over to place a hand on his shoulder.\u00a0 He felt bad, responsible for everyone who\u2019d come to the base.\u00a0 He wondered if everyone felt they had to be strong because of the bravado he, himself, was putting up.\u00a0 Kevin was just as terrified of the horrors as the rest of them, but lacked the luxury of showing it.\u00a0 Someone had to lead; someone had to hold up a strengthened front.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t easy, but it was something Kevin had long ago learned how to do.\u00a0 So he did.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but I don\u2019t want to freak out any of the girls by saying it.\u00a0 So don\u2019t say anything for me.\u00a0 It\u2019s just, I don\u2019t know, I felt like nothing could touch us in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u00a0 I think we all did.\u201d\u00a0 He opened his mouth to say more, but shut it once more, as they finally pulled to a stop once again.\u00a0 Two major buildings would be seen within their view.\u00a0 One was considerably bigger than the other, although quite plain in its appearance.\u00a0 The one beside it looked more like a warehouse, and that was where Kevin was pointing after the two men got out of the truck.\u00a0 Behind them, Brian and Riley fired a few more shots, and the remaining, straggling zombies were taken down.\u00a0 The rain continued to fall, as Riley jumped down to the ground and threw the hood of her poncho back.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow this is the way to spend a day, Kevin.\u201d\u00a0 She did a slight spin.\u00a0 She seemed to be relishing the weather.\u00a0 Brian soon followed, as Nick went to let Spunky out as well.\u00a0 She barked happily, and Kevin knew that the dog would be their first warning sign.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure how, but she seemed able to sense the zombies sooner than they could.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo this is the military clothing store.\u00a0 It\u2019s not much, but the mall\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He pointed to the other building.\u00a0 \u201c\u2026 has too many opportunities for the undead to be in there, for what we need.\u00a0 We need to grab some clothes for everyone\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick chuckled.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019Cause, otherwise, we\u2019ll be starting to get ripe soon.\u00a0 Right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian stood there, avoiding Kevin\u2019s gaze.\u00a0 Kevin sighed.\u00a0 He felt like he didn\u2019t know him at all anymore.\u00a0 In truth, he didn\u2019t even know where to start in helping Brian.\u00a0 He only knew his cousin was scarred beyond anyone by whatever he\u2019d seen since April 15, 2012, but he didn\u2019t even know what exactly that was yet.\u00a0 Only that it was what had caused the most devout man he\u2019d known to lose faith.\u00a0 He shivered despite himself, unnoticed by the others.\u00a0 In a time when he clung to his beliefs in a higher being, Brian had tossed them aside.<\/p>\n

The fact scared him.<\/p>\n

He forced himself to tune back in to the conversation being held by the other three.\u00a0 Well, more so Riley and Nick, while Brian kept an eye out for any visitors.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we are in nature\u2019s shower right now, Nick \u2013 strip down, run around, and you won\u2019t smell ripe anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou saying I smell?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you did.\u00a0 But since you did, yeah, you totally do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou love my smell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho says I love your smell, Nick?\u00a0 You\u2019re starting to get delusional.\u00a0 Not even the rain can knock some sense into you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou love it.\u00a0 Love it-love it-love it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as I find some soap, I\u2019ll do us all a favor and superglue it to your hand,\u201d she teased, as she slapped her hand into his playfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, you want me to wash you, Riley?\u00a0 I ain\u2019t that kind of freak now\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He was clearly teasing, yet still caused her to blush amidst her laughter and pull away.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep dreaming, Hollywood,\u201d she retorted with a cheeky grin.<\/p>\n

Even Kevin chuckled at the banter.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, let\u2019s go inside and get some clothes together.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think we should run into anything.\u00a0 In the last day, no one was worried about the stores.\u00a0 They were in the hospital wing, or\u2026 resting at home…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReanimating in their beds,\u201d Brian muttered with sour disgust, leading the way inside.\u00a0 Kevin glanced up at the overcast sky above, gave a silent prayer for his lost cousin, and walked in just behind him.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 52 Prepare them for anything and everything.\u00a0 Be sure to think of every eventuality, and get them ready.\u00a0 Make the choices you believe in, no matter how hard they are.\u00a0 That\u2019s the job of a leader who\u2019s supposed to … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":52,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"onecolumn-page.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/248"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=248"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":249,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/248\/revisions\/249"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}