The Tell-Tale Zombie, Page 2

  Demi’s heart sped up.

  "I still don't think it's a good idea Linda. Seffie is so tired that she spends most of the day asleep."

  "Come on Demi, a play date might do her some good. I'm sure seeing Traci would lift her spirits."

  "Just no, Linda. Look I have things I have to do. I'll talk to you later."

  Demi closed and bolted the door before Linda could say another word; crisis averted. She wasn't sure how long she could keep putting Linda and her daughter off; she needed a plan.

  She went back to her room and dressed and then went to Seffie's room.

  "Seffie honey," she called through the padlocked door. "Mommy's going out on an errand. I'll be back soon; be good."

  Demi looked up and down the street. No one else from the enclave was visible so she locked the bolt and hurried down the street. Tracy was a good kid but she was also a determined kid. Demi never let anything as trivial as a parent's rules stop her from sneaking out as a child. She didn't think that the children of the current world were any different. Linda was becoming a Nosey Nelly. It was only a matter of time before she found out about Seffie's illness. Her neighbors would never understand. Seffie wasn't attacked by a zombie or infected by one. This was just a disease that mimicked the appearance of the dead. Her baby was still among the living.

  If all the zombies were really dead, maybe it was time to go house hunting. It was time to get away from her inquisitive enclave neighbors.

  Demi exited through the gate giving a curt wave to the woman on duty. She moved quickly, she didn't want to answer any questions about where she might be going so early in the morning.

  She hiked north for a couple blocks and then made several changes of direction over the next few blocks. She didn't want to risk one of her neighbors spotting which direction she was heading. If she was going to keep Seffie safe, they needed a new home where the others wouldn't find her.

  She wandered past houses which were little more than rubble and burned out shells. One brick ranch style looked perfect until she forced her way inside. An enormous section of roof had caved in, exposing the living room and master bedroom to the elements. The morning turned into afternoon and soon the sun was near the horizon. Demi was miles from Sunset Acres with nothing to show for her efforts. She took a swig of warm water and arched her back. Sore muscles stretched and small pops in her joints sent shivers through her body; it was time to head back. She would continue her search tomorrow.

  She made it back to the enclave drenched in sweat and footsore. The task seemed impossible; the world was just too damaged. She pushed away her negativity. She would find something; she had to.

  Demi pulled out her key and reached for the door and then froze. The door stood slightly ajar. She knew it was locked; she tested the bolt before she left. Now it sat open by less than an inch. Someone had broken into her home.

  Her hand fell to the butt of her pistol. The dead couldn't open locked doors but a thief could, or a Nosey Nelly. Demi silently opened the door and slipped inside. She crept across the living room using all the skills acquired hiding from the dead. Not a whisper of sound announced her presence as she moved into the central hallway. At the end of the hall she saw a hunched form with long brown hair. A click, as loud to Demi as a gunshot heralded the opening of the padlock on Seffie's room

  "What the hell are you doing?"

  The figure straightened with a start and spun to face Demi. Linda held a lock pick in one hand and the open padlock in the other.

  "What am I doing?" Linda's voice was shrill and full of anger. "What the hell are you doing? What kind of mother locks a child in her room like this?"

  "Linda get out."

  "I could see Seffie moving around through the blinds. She wouldn't answer and I became concerned but then I saw this." She shook the lock at Demi. "Is she even sick? What have you done to her?"

  "Linda, I did whatever I needed to do to protect my daughter while I was away. I'm giving you one last chance to get out before I throw you out."

  "I'm not leaving until I see that poor girl and know that she's safe."

  Before Demi could react, Linda turned back to the door and yanked it open.

  "Seffie, honey, are you-" her voice died as she took in the room and its occupant.

  Demi saw Linda's chest inflate, preparing to scream; she had to protect Seffie. Demi raced the remaining yards down the hallway, drawing her pistol as she ran. Linda's mouth opened to scream and Demi slammed the butt of the pistol against her skull. Linda's breath left her in a whoosh and she crumpled to her knees. Seffie strained at the limits of her chain, drawn to the action in the doorway. Linda weaved side to side, her head rolled drunkenly. Demi looked at her neighbor and then up at her daughter. She smashed the pistol into the side of Linda's head again and then shoved the collapsing woman toward Seffie.

  Tears filled her eyes as she turned away from the unconscious woman and her child. She slammed the door, and collapsed against it. The wood did little to muffle the wet sounds of tearing flesh or the animalistic growls of her daughter feeding.

  ###

  Demi spent the next 24 hours alternating between desolate weeping and shaking rage. The lock was back on Demi's door and the horrible sounds had finally ceased. She couldn't bring herself to open the door yet. Why did Linda have to intrude? Why couldn't she have minded her own business? During The Troubles most people developed a secretive, isolationist attitude. You never knew who would live long enough to become a friend. Your closest ally could be killed or transformed into one of the dead in a moment. It did not pay to become close to anyone. Linda never could keep her distance; it was a miracle that she survived The Troubles.

  "Damn you Linda," Demi shouted for the dozenth time.

  Linda had survived The Troubles, but she had not survived Demi. If she had kept her distance like a proper survivor none of this would have come to pass. She had a couple days to figure out her course of action; Linda wouldn't rise until then. She had more pressing problems to deal with first. If Charlie thought that Linda had come here, he'd have security breathing down her neck in no time.

  The security force consisted of a dozen people dedicated to the safety of the enclave. They kept watch on the walls and also patrolled the streets keeping the peace. If they investigated and discovered Seffie, they would kill her out of hand. They would jail Demi until the enclave could pass judgment on her. She'd be executed or exiled and Seffie would be gone; she couldn't let that happen.

  Demi cleaned herself up and gathered her pack and a dozen eggs. She locked her door and walked to Linda and Charlie's house.

  Charlie opened the door at Demi's first knock.

  "Oh, Demi," he said and glanced both ways.

  "Hi Charlie, can I speak with Linda?"

  "I don't - she isn't home. I had actually hoped she was with you."

  "No," Demi managed to twist her brow into what she hoped was a look of concern. "I mean, she stopped by and said hi yesterday and we made plans."

  She hefted her pack and showed Charlie the eggs.

  "We were going to get together to go trade for some dresses for the girls today."

  "She hasn't been back since early yesterday. Demi, I'm starting to get worried."

  "I wouldn't worry Charlie; I'm sure she just visited one of the other enclaves. She probably just stayed over with someone."

  "She never mentioned that. It's not like her to just go off without telling me or Tracy."

  "Tell you what; I'm heading up to Desert Flowers and I'll keep an eye out for her and ask around."

  "Thank you Demi," Charlie's look of relief made Demi want to scream. "I have gate duty otherwise I'd go looking myself."

  "Think nothing of it, we're friends after all. I'm sure she'll turn up in a bit; stop worrying."

  Demi patted Charlie on the arm and then headed toward the gate. She did need to go trading, just not for a new dress.

  Demi slogged through the gate to Sunset Acres as the sun was setting. Her t
rip had taken longer than she had hoped. The man she traded with had driven a hard bargain. It had taken all her eggs as well as several more items to trade for the heavy chain which weighted down her pack. It was a good steel chain, strong enough to hold anything. She could feel bruises blossoming on her lower back where it bounced against her with every step. It was longer than she needed but the man refused to cut it saying that a short piece wouldn't be useful for barter.

  "You almost didn't make it back in time." The security man at the gate controls was someone she recognized but didn't know well.

  "Yeah, lucky me, I took too long shopping." She gave a tired wave as she passed.

  "Hope you got a good deal," he said.

  She heard him cranking the gate shut with a squeal of metal gears behind her.

  "Yeah," she muttered and continued onward.

  Demi dropped the pack just inside the door and then collapsed onto the couch, exhausted. She was too tired to deal with this tonight; she still had one more day before Linda came back. Seffie was always more obedient during the daytime anyway. She rolled onto her side, too tired to even attempt to reach her bedroom, and was asleep in seconds.

  When Demi awoke the sun was already high in the sky. She let out a yelp as her back spasmed upon sitting up. She splashed water in her face and then gathered some tools and lugged the chain to Seffie's room.

  Linda was sprawled in the middle of the floor in a crusty film of blood. She had been disemboweled. Her once trim midsection was now a ragged pit of shredded organs. Demi gagged and turned away for a moment to gain composure. She witnessed many dead bodies during The Troubles but the fresh smell of decomposition was devastating close up. Linda had been her neighbor and casual friend; it was Demi's fault that she was now rotting in the Seffie's room. The tell tale signs of the change were visible on her corpse. Her skin had a greenish gray hue and dark veins showed through her skin; she would rise soon.

  "Seffie, you need to sit on your bed honey."

  Seffie stood as still as a statue staring at her mother with intense eyes. She seemed more focused and alert than normal.

  "Seffie sit." Demi barked the command in what she thought of as her mom voice. Seffie blinked and then shambled to her stained bed and sat as ordered.

  "Good girl."

  Demi pulled the chain from her pack and looped it around the middle of Linda's corpse. She gagged as she leaned across the gaping wound in her abdomen. The smell made her head swim and against her will she vomited into the open cavity.

  "Oh God, I'm sorry Linda. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

  She kept repeating her apology as she wiped the vomit from her mouth. She bolted the chain together and then through the ring in the floor beside Seffie's chain.

  Demi backed out of the room still muttering her apology with manic intensity. She locked the door, ran to the bathroom, and then emptied the rest of her stomach contents into the toilet.

  ###

  Late the next afternoon Demi heard the tell-tale sounds of the undead. Linda had risen. She knew from experience that the dead were slow and lethargic until they had fed. Linda would be easy to handle in that state. It was Seffie who worried Demi the most.

  It was far past the time to admit that her baby actually succumbed to the zombie virus; why else would she have devoured Linda. The thought of her child being one of the walking dead broke Demi's heart. Her entire family was now lost to the plague of death which had consumed the world. What remained for her?

  Demi wiped away fresh tears, picked up her pistol and walked to Seffie's room. She could give her daughter and Linda the peace they deserved and then join them. When the door opened, Seffie was on her feet in an instant staring intently at her mother. Linda turned ponderously to face her friend. Neither one seemed to care about the pistol she pointed at Seffie's head.

  "I'm so sorry baby."

  The pistol wavered as Demi's hand shook. Tears blurred her vision. Harry told her that she was an instinctive and accurate shooter. Seffie used to watch Demi practice when she was little. Seffie made pew-pew noises in imitation of the shots Demi fired at targets. She didn't feel accurate now. The pistol waved drunkenly, first toward Seffie and then Linda. Demi lowered the pistol and fell to her knees sobbing.

  "I'm sorry Linda, I can't do it."

  A rapping sound at the window brought her head up.

  "Seffie, talk to me." It was Tracy, probably balanced on that bucket again.

  Demi scrambled to her feet and raced to the front door. In moments she was at the rear of the house. Tracy stood on the bucket and was knocking on the window more forcefully.

  "Is that you Mom?"

  "Tracy Marie Grant, what did I tell you about bothering Seffie?"

  Tracy shrieked and almost fell from the bucket. Her face hardened with the stubborn resolve that only a child could manage.

  "I heard you talk to my mom. I can see her and Seffie. Why can't I visit?"

  "Tracy, you need to go home now."

  "No." Tracy hopped to the ground and stamped her foot to punctuate her denial. "I'm gonna tell my dad that you let Mom visit Seffie but not me. It's not fair."

  Tracy turned on her heel and stomped away. Demi raced forward and grabbed her by her upper arm.

  "Ow, that hurts."

  "I'm sorry Tracy." Demi loosened her grip but maintained her hold on the girl. "You're right, it's not fair. I've been selfish in keeping you from your friend. I'll tell you what; why don't you come inside. You, me, and your mom can visit with Seffie for a while. It will be fun; like a tea party."

  Tracy's face brightened; she and Seffie loved their tea parties.

  "Okay Mrs. Floros, I'd like that."

  Demi led Tracy back to the house. Her head pivoted like a gun turret as they walked. Demi prayed that there was nobody in sight to watch her take the child inside. They reached the door without incident and were soon inside.

  "I'll walk you back to Seffie's room and then I'll go make some drinks for everyone."

  Demi walked Tracy down the hallway toward the open door to the bedroom. She felt the child stiffen when the occupants became visible.

  "Mom." Tracy's shout was cut short when Demi clamped a hand over her mouth. She pulled the child tight against her body.

  Tracy struggled and tried to shout but Demi's superior strength held her in check. She carried the squirming girl to the doorway. Seffie and Linda stared at the child with deadly focus. Demi threw the child into the room and fled back down the hallway. Tracy's screams were short lived but chased after her all the way to the living room. Demi fell to her knees and pounded her fist on the floor in rage and self loathing.

  ###

  The sun had set and Demi saw a bright light sweep across the front of the house. More lights moved back and forth, briefly illuminating windows. She grabbed her pistol and went out the front door to stand on the steps. Half a dozen figures were moving slowly down the street. Each carried a large flashlight which they swept across the buildings on either side. At each empty house the group sent two people inside. Demi could see that they were methodically searching each building.

  Tucking the pistol into her belt, Demi walked toward the group. As she approached she could see that each wore the red sash of the enclave security team.

  "Hey Phil," she said to the first man she recognized. "What's up?"

  Phil swung his light to reveal the speaker, momentarily blinding her.

  "Oh, hey Demi." He pointed the light at the ground. "Sorry about that. We got a report of someone screaming earlier so we're making a sweep of the area."

  "Is it something serious? I thought it was just kids whooping it up down the street."

  "It probably was, you know kids. Do you know that Charlie Grant's wife has been missing for the last few days? Well, today his daughter Tracy didn't come home before dark. We're searching just in case it was her and she's hurt."

  "Oh, poor Charlie; can I help somehow?"

  "Nah, just head on home. It's just you and your daughter
there right? You haven't seen anyone in your yard have you? Anything out of the ordinary?"

  "No, just us homebodies. Well, good luck Phil. I'll give a shout if I happen to spot something."

  Demi turned away and walked back to her house. It took every bit of her willpower to keep from sprinting away from the security team.

  The door to Seffie's bedroom was still open. She hadn't been able to bring herself to see the results of her betrayals. Demi walked down the hall on stiff legs and stopped in the doorway. Tracy lay on the floor in a pool of blood. Her throat was a raw pit with vertebrae visible through the torn flesh. Bite marks marred the flesh of her arms and legs.

  Seffie stood rigid, as always, and stared at her mother. Linda strained at her chain and a low growl like a small engine rumbled in her throat. Demi couldn't face dealing with the mess. She closed and locked the door and then sat in the living room. She stared at an empty wall hoping that somehow the universe would tell her what to do.

  ###

  Demi woke on the couch in the same position as the night before. Shadows were long in the room. She glanced at the clock and was shocked to see that she had been unconscious for almost a full day. Her joints popped as she stood and stretched. No dream had provided her a solution to her problem as she slept. She was as deep in trouble as she had been before wasting a day sleeping. She needed to clear her head and focus. After splashing water on her face she secured the house and went for a walk.

  There was only an hour or so until sunset at which time the gates of the enclave would be closed for the night. She couldn't risk going out so she opted to stroll the streets of the enclave. Sunset Acres was not a large community. Within its walls there were 5 streets running north to south and 10 east to west streets. Most of the enclave was unoccupied so she was sure she could avoid people easily. She zig-zagged back and forth across each block. She avoided the street where Charlie and Linda lived. She didn't know if she could handle an encounter with Charlie so soon after what she had done.