Slaves and Skinners

              After the Zombie apocalypse began everyone did things they regretted to survive. Killing and stealing were just a few discretions.  Those things they did shaped them into who they became.  Some people struggled to find food and water and struggled to survive in a civilized way.  Others found ways of feeding themselves.  Whether it was through Slavery or savagery.  The Darron Group chose one path, Slavery.  While the Skinners chose another, Savagery.  Reynolds and his community had to ultimately deal with both to stay civilized. 

               

              “You’ve got something nice here, Reynolds,” Charles said.

He walked along the perimeter of the main facility atop the turned over, fortified semi trailers.

               “We’ve worked hard to keep it safe for the people both in and out of these walls,” Reynolds said. 

               They turned to look at the interior of the protective barriers. 

               The parking lot to the west of the building was an open air market where survivors living nearby and those living in the complex could trade goods and services.  People came and went under the watchful eyes of security atop the wall.

               “It’s been ten months since the last horde came through here.  Why not open up these fences, get more traffic flowing through here,” Charles said.

               “Hordes aren’t what we are defending against anymore,” Reynolds said.  “Zombies are the least of our problems.”

               Reynolds and Charles continued along the wall. 

               Guards on patrol nodded at Reynolds and his guest from the city as they toured the defensive structure.  The chain link fence that once protected the facility were falling in some of the areas along the overturned trailers but Reynolds didn’t worry, it added more defense against anyone or thing that threw themselves at the barriers.    

               “Ever since the Darren Group reclaimed the towers the skinners have been on the run,” Reynolds said. “We had three of them trying to break into a settlement just south of here.  They sent up a flare signal and a squad rode out and assisted them.”

               “But you’ve blocked the roads and destroyed the bridges, how do you guys get anywhere around here quickly?”

               “We know the routes and how to get around the area.  The overpasses were brought down to keep people out, not stop us.  As for the roads, the cars and trucks ran out of gas a long time ago so no need for large paved roads.”

               “Well, The Darren Group plans on reestablishing civilization again,” Charles said. “They’ve cleared out all the inner city Skinners.  They’ve even started to build a wall of their own that will surround the downtown.”

               “That’s what I’ve heard,” Reynolds said. “But who does he have building the wall?”

               Charles turned and looked Reynolds in the eye.

               “Who do you mean?”

               “You know who, Gerald, the Darren Group’s leader.”

               “The Darren Group is run by a council, much like it is here.”

               “If you say so.”

               “And those who are building the walls are criminals.”

               “Slaves,” Reynolds accused.

               “No, they are criminals, either before this all started or after,” Charles said. “Just because the government dissolved doesn’t mean law and order did.  We are protecting the lawful citizens who seek refuge with us and punishing those who lie, cheat, steal and kill.”

               “Criminals,” Reynolds said. “Okay.”

               “Who are you to judge how he does things,” Charles shot back. “If I’m not mistaken, you killed plenty of people defending your precious facility.”

               “Defending,” Reynolds said. “Not taking over and running others out.” 

               “All in the name of protecting what is yours.”

               “In the name of protecting what is ours,” Reynolds corrected him.

               “Rey,” Charles said with and apologetic smile. “Let’s not fight.  We made it through this together and we need to start reuniting the city.  The Reno Bridge and the I-40 Bridge are necessary to do that.  Will you reconsider opening the roads?  The Darren Group can help you.”

               “We’ve been doing just fine but I will present it to the Council.”

***

               “He wants the bridges,” Reynolds said.

               “Of course he does,” Maddy said. “The few remaining bridges over the Oklahoma River are falling apart and the I-35 bridge was destroyed in the last Vanishing.”  She pointed to the map on the table before them.  A large blue circled area indicated their area of control. It ranged from the north side of Lake Overholser, down the turnpike and south to Mustang.  Most of it was empty area but daily patrols and small communities keep it under control.

               “What could he possibly want to the west of here,” Jonathan asked. “Past Yukon and El Reno there’s nothing but Skinners, Marauders and the Tribes.” 

               Jonathan was the newest member to the Council.  He and a handful of people in Mustang survived on their own and when Reynolds came along he gave them supplies and helped clear Mustang of a lot of the zombies.  Unfortunately, as they were reestablishing a community with the remaining survivors a fire broke out and consumed much of the town.  Jonathan brought the majority of his people to stay at Reynolds compound within the walls and protection.

               “He wants the bridges to reunite the city.”

               “What about that wall he’s building on the north side of the city,” Dalton, the oldest member of the Council, asked.

               “He said it is part of reuniting the city.”

               “And the slaves?” Dalton asked.

               “Bring Gail in here,” Reynolds ordered a guard at the door. “He said they are criminals.”

***

               Gail stood with the council as they studied the map. 

               “You came from Harrah, along highway 62,” Reynolds asked. 

               The girl followed the highway with her finger from Harrah and into the city. 

               “Yes, my whole family.  As well as about ten other people,” Gail said. 

               “Why did you leave Harrah,” Jonathan asked.

               “Fires, the south winds blew the fires up through town.  Took out everything.”  Gail paused. “Took everything.  But a convoy came through and told us to head west along the highway.  Said there was a refuge for us in the city.”

               “And what happened when you got the city,” Maddy asked.

               Gail began to tear up.

               “We came upon a blockade.  A blockade with a big D in a diamond.  My dad and grandpa approached the blockade.  They welcomed us in and then they took us prisoner.”

               “Did you or your people do anything wrong,” Reynolds asked.

               “No, No, No, we walked in between their gates and we lined up where they told us.  Then they took all our stuff and tied our hands behind our backs.”  She put her hands behind her back, clasped together and held them there.   “They said they were taking us to the city and my  dad kept asking questions.  ‘What are you doing’ ‘Who are you’.  They kept telling us they were taking us to the city.”

               “What happened when you got to the city,” Jonathan asked.

               “We were separated,” Gail said.  Tears pooled in her eyes and sat ready to fall.  “My father, grandfather and brothers as well as myself, were taken to the north side of the city.”

               “To work on the wall,” Maddy said.

               “Yes, and also into the neighborhoods around there to tear down houses for supplies.”

               “Scrap metal and wood,” Jonathan asked.

               “Anything.  We were made to take everything,” Gail said. She wiped her eyes before the tears had a chance to wet her cheeks. “I didn’t do that very long though.”

               “Why,” Maddy asked.

               “Skinners,” she whispered. “Skinners were in one neighborhood and we were attacked.  The guards watched as they took the weak and didn’t help fight them off.  My dad, grandfather, brother, they were all taken by the Skinners as the guards stood on their trucks, laughing and taking pot shots at the savages.”

               “You ran in the confusion,” Jonathan asked.

               “Yes, I ran and didn’t turn around to see what happened.  But I heard the screams.  Everyone knows what happens when the Skinners get you.”

               The Council and Gail stood in silence. 

               Skinners were no better than Zombies.  Skinners were cannibals but do a degree of sadism and 

insanity. 

                 “You folks didn’t do anything,” Reynolds asked.

               The Council eyed Reynolds. 

               “No,” Gail said.

               “You didn’t steal from them, kill any of their people?”

               “NO, I swear.  Their convoy told us to come here after the fires and they put us to work as slaves.”

***

               Gail left the Council to consider what they had learned.

               “I believe her,” Jonathan said.

               “We all do but why do you say that,” Reynolds asked.

               “Before you guys came along.  Before we lost Mustang and came here.  We were visited by a man calling himself ‘Gerry’.”

               “Gerald,” Dalton said.

               “Yes,” Jonathan said. “He had a big military truck with him and in the back were people.  Four other vehicles followed with armed men.”

               “Soldiers,” Maddy asked.

               “No, not all of them.  The people in the back of that truck were civilians, scared civilians.”

               “Why did they not take you guys,” Reynolds asked.

               “They may not have had room, but he said we were more than welcome to come with him to the city.”

               “But you didn’t, why,” Dalton asked.

               “I have seen fear in people’s eyes since this has all started and it was fear in the eyes of those people in that truck.  They were not there willingly.”

                

               

Three days of darkness

So the zombie apocalypse and the chaos that followed was not the scariest thing to happen in Mad World.  The scariest thing was the first time the sun did not rise.  For three long days, 72 dark hours, the sun and moon did not rise.  

While some kept their wits and helped others to keep their wits, others used the event to their own advantage and even more death and chaos ensued.  

“What time is it,” Maddy asked.

Reynolds and Diddo stood watching the ruined Oklahoma City horizon.  The abandoned buildings in the distance danced in the flickering light of the fires that burned uncontrolled.

A few armed guards wandered around the roof of the facility.  The inky darkness swallowed them when they wandered away from the torches and lanterns that lit the perimeter of the building.

“1130,” Reynolds said.

“At night,” Maddy asked.

“No, in the morning,” Diddo replied, no sarcasm in his voice.

“But it’s still dark.  So dark.”

“Yes”

“Is it cloudy? Ash?”

After the zombie outbreak was controlled people were burning bodies.  Everyone remembered days when the sky was nothing but a gray gauze and the sun was a pale glowing orb struggling to shine through.

“No. Diddo says the stars faded out.”

“And the moon. We watched as they slowly dimmed and then were gone.”

“That’s not possible. Where’s the sun at?”

Reynolds sensed the edge panic in Maddy’s voice.

Diddo eyed her as if her panic was contagious. Perhaps they all should be panicked but he and his men had other things to worry about.

“What the hell is going on, Reynolds,” Maddy asked.

She was their lead medic. Usually cool and calm. Some would say heartless. But this was not her. This was not the normal Maddy everyone depended on to treat wounds and keep firing at the same time.

“Maddy, calm down, you’re freaking out the others.”

“Yeah, chica, Your guess is as good as anyones,” Diddo said.

He walked away from Reynolds and the confused Maddy.

“Is everyone still asleep,” Reynolds asked.

“Yeah, but they are going to start waking up when they realize they’ve overslept.”

“They are going to panic,”

“Um, you bet your life they will. The fucking sun is gone,” Maddy said. “Oh shit, Christine is going to have a field day.”

She was suddenly a different person. Tactical instead of worried.

“Yeah, End of days, the Reckoning. She’s going to rile everyone up.”

Diddo came back from dispersing a small group of guards.

“Gotta keep them from gossiping and focus on the job,” Diddo said.

“Maddy just realized what we were talking about earlier.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” Diddo said. “I believe in God and all but what the loca loon preaches is not helping anyone here.”

“How many people does she have following her,” Maddy asked.

“Twenty right now,” Diddo chimed in. “At most twenty-five.”

“This whole thing with the sun disappearing may add more to her congregation,” Reynolds said.

“I was about to go down and join her,” Maddy said. “What are you going to do?”

“I say we kill her and cast out those of her followers that object,” Diddo said.

Reynolds knew he was completely serious. And while it should have bothered him it didn’t.

Twice Diddo has saved them all from dangers they couldn’t see right away and twice it was a shock to everyone around them when he did it. He saw things that others didn’t and he acted on them.

“Easy, Diddo,” Maddy said. “Any of your men with her?”

“Pssh, nah, my boys are smarter than that.”

“Smarts has nothing to do with it,” Reynolds said. “Your guys have their own survival and the survival of everyone else to worry about. To keep them going. Others don’t have the fight to keep them going and look for it elsewhere.”

“Like religion,” Maddy said.

“Well I’m counting on none of her followers having the fight in them when we must act,” Diddo said.

“Hopefully she won’t put it in them,” Maddy said.

The Cold North Wind

This is what I wrote today.  I did not edit it (much) so it's rough.  

It is part of a Zombie series I am working on.

A small war had just concluded between a group of survivors in Oklahoma City.  One group survives between OKC and Yukon and another group was  living in the Towers of a ruined Downtown OKC.

Steven was the commander of the West side army and ordered seven men to die in an ambush.  They did so without question but Steven is finding it hard to deal with those men dying at his command.

             

"How long they been at it," Reynolds asked. 

                The north yard had two platoons of new recruits conducting physical training and combative exercise.  They were young men and women red-faced from the exertion and the powerful cold north wind.

                "A little after sun-up, so about three hours," Steve said. 

                He stood in his combat uniform.  His sleeves rolled up and his scarred thick arms crossed.  His face was red from the wind and his eyes were red from crying.

                "Brisk this morning," Reynolds said.  He zipped his coat up.  "Not too cold for them?"

                "Nah, they are eager" Steve said.  "Fools."

                "Get any sleep last night," Reynolds asked. 

                Steve pursed his lips.  His cold stare fought against the equally frigid winds.

                “I ordered them to their deaths,” Steve said. 

                The stiff wind was a change from the warmer days earlier in the week.  Steve did not show any sign it bothered him.

                Reynolds pulled his coat collar tighter around his neck and stared out over the people in the north yard conducting training. 

                "I looked them in the eyes and ordered them," Steve's eyes watered, not from the wind, but from the guilt.

                "Yes but they volunteered.  They were asked by me. Ordered by you. But ultimately they volunteered and knew what they were doing," Reynolds said. 

                "They were boys," Steve said.

                "No.  None of that group, of Diddo's group, were all men."

                "When I looked in their eyes I saw boys,"

                "None of Diddo's men are boys.  They have seen too much to be called boys,"

                "Still,"

                "We asked them to sacrifice their lives to protect everything west of the river, everything that you, me and everyone else has worked so hard to hold on to," Reynolds said.   "Seven young men died bravely so that three thousand could survive,"

                "I'm leaving," Steven declared.

                "You won't change your mind?"

                "I can't."

                "Where will you go?"

                "West?"

                "There is nothing west of here."

                "I hope so."

                "You are a hero to everyone here.  You have saved us all multiple times first from the zombies, then from the scavengers and marauders and then from the Darron Corporation.  You and Diddo have saved us all too many times to count." 

                "Some of his men are coming with me,"

                "How many,"

                "A handful.  You won't notice them gone.  We are all in the same boat, our thousand yard stares disturb too many people here to make a life."

                "When will you leave,"

                "The next group of Darron refugees you send west, me and the others will be with them."

                "What do you need?"

                "Nothing, just time to mourn, time to heal, time to be forgiven."

                "Okay," Reynolds turned from the edge of the building and away from the cold wind.  Just when he thought winter was over.  "Tell Diddo to get them inside, this wind is ridiculous."

                Diddo sat across the desk from Reynolds. 

                "Who is leaving with Steven," Reynolds asked.

                "I was wondering when he'd tell you," Diddo said. "Ten men."

                Reynolds looked up from his roster of soldiers.  Surprised.

                "Ten?"

                "Yessir, Matt, Scott, Andy and Joel."

                "Matt and Joel are Lieutenants,"

                "I have men to replace them," Diddo said. "Peter and Don, Ryan, Ty and Dale."

                "All these guys have been here from the beginning.  They are good troops."

                "They are broken troops.  I wouldn't say it but they are.   Some have seen and done too much, others were never meant to be soldiers but they were good at it and paid a price.  I want to say they can be fixed but I have talked to them and they just aren't there anymore."

                "This fight with the Darren group was hard on everyone and especially those guys on the front lines.  What will they do?"

                "I don't know.  Steven hasn't made them any promises or given them hope.  Only that they can leave and that's what they want."

                Reynolds went through his list Diddo gave him and marked the names in the roster. 

                "That's only nine.  Who is number ten?"