Rotting World Read online

  Chapter 18:

  Everything had been unloaded from the trucks and reloaded to create more room. The small group was now larger since the two groups had come together. Drew and George sat around talking about their trips and where they were heading to next, the map Drew had brought was a bit old but a lot of the landmarks that were marked on the map were still somewhat standing. While they were discussing their plan of attack and which bunker would be the closest one to them Jennifer and Henry were helping with all of the other groups wounded. Brad figured Britney was still mad at him so he stayed outside with Derrick and Trent learning how to make explosives and hot wire cars, inside Britney was trying to learn how to walk with only one leg, Tina had walked in to find her crawling back to the bed when she had fallen trying to learn how to use the crutches on her own. Once Tina had helped her get back up onto the bed together they worked to get her on her feet. Tina had experience with crutches before when she was younger, she and Trent had been playing near a train bridge when she had fallen through the rotting boards and broke her leg. The two girls worked at it throughout the day, it was hard for Britney to get used to walking without both legs but she was bound and determined. By the end of the day Britney almost had the hang of it, thank you for helping me figure these things out Tina, I couldn’t have gotten this far without you. Tina smiled, you’re a natural, it took me a week to get this far when I started using these things. Britney sat back on the bed, I’m going to rest for a bit, we’ve been working hard today. Tina nodded, I’m going to go see if they have some chow ready, I’ll bring you a plate. Britney stopped her, could you have Brad bring it to me? I’d like to talk to him if he’s not too busy. Tina nodded and smiled, I think I saw him out idea with my brother, I’ll go get him. Tina left the room to go check on food and get Brad. Brad and Trent had just gotten back from gathering wood for the fire when Tina called them in for food and a meeting George had just set up. Brad and Trent set the wood on the deck and headed inside, Tina stopped Brad before he walked into the house, could you bring Britney her dinner? I’ve been over doing it today and I think Britney is getting tired of me pushing her to do her exercises’. Brad was reluctant at first but the sad puppy eyes Tina gave him made him finally cave in and agree to do it, if she throws the tray at me when I go in there I’m blaming you little girl. Brad grabbed the tray of food from Tina and headed toward Britney’s room, slowly he opened the door and walked in, Britney was sitting on the bed staring out the window, just put it on the counter I’ll eat when I’m hungry. Brad brought the tray over and sat it down on the dresser next to the bed, he started to walk toward the door when she stopped him. Brad wait, she grabbed her crutches and stood up, Britney walked toward Brad slowly. Thank you for helping me, I thought about what you said earlier and I feel the same way. Brad smiled and walked the rest of the way over to Britney and hugged her. Your doing great with these crutches, come on let’s go show everyone. Britney started to protest but she figured if George saw she was making such good progress he would think twice about leaving her behind, plus she wanted to meet the other group that had just joined up with their group. Brad picked Britney’s tray up and followed her out the door as she went out to join the rest, Jennifer and Veronica looked up and smiled, Britney your out and about. The two girls ran up and hugged her, Tina said you were working hard today so we figured you wanted your rest. Brad set Britney’s food next to Jennifer’s plate and walked toward Tina, guess she wasn’t as mad about you pushing her then you thought, Tina grinned and went over to the girls, George heard their giggling from out on the deck, he and Drew were outside discussing the quickest and most reliable route to get their large group to the closest bunker before the facilities reached their critical point. George pointed out a few towns along the way, we can stop in these places here for fuel and any supplies we may need. With this route here we should make it to the bunker area within two to three days unless we get over run between here and there. Drew nodded in agreement, this seems our quickest and safest route, we should let the others know our plan so they can be ready when we are. It took about three days to get everything set up and ready to go, Britney was getting stronger and faster with her crutches. Their last night at the cottage they started having problems, the rotter horde that had given them trouble up north had slowly made their way further south. Trent and a couple others were out gathering wood when they noticed a few of the rotter’s roaming around in the woods, at first they thought nothing of it until more started showing up. The guys had left the wood behind to warn the others the rotter’s were on their way. Jennifer and Veronica were outside hanging clothing they had washed when they saw their first signs of the horde, Veronica was putting up a shirt when she heard screams coming from over by the barn, one of the new group came running toward the cottage, her arm was cut badly, rotter’s are chasing me someone help me please. The young man started coughing and dropped to the ground. Jennifer ran toward the young man but he had already begun to turn. The rotter stood up and came straight at Jennifer, Brad heard the commotion and came running off the deck with his gun at the ready, when he saw the rotter heading for Jennifer he shot hitting the rotter between the eyes. Two more came from behind the barn, Brad shot one but the other was still coming. It seemed to be coming faster then the normal rotter’s, it’s less moving faster as if in a jog. George shot the runner causing it to slide at Jennifer’s feet, Trent and the other guys came running from the woods, rotter’s are coming we need to go. George hollered for everyone to pack up so they could leave, Britney was laying down when Brad rushed into the room. I hope you learned enough with those crutches cause we have to get out of here, the horde is on their way so there’s no time to dawdle. Britney sat up and moved over to the end of the bed, she reached for her crutches when George told Brad to hurry. Brad picked up Britney along with her crutches and carried her to the truck, he set her in the passenger seat and handed her the crutches and a pistol, you stay here while I go help gather our things. Veronica ran over with Sunshine, Britney can you please watch over the little one while I help everyone, Britney nodded as Veronica ran to help everyone pack. The rotter’s were getting closer, some had made it close to the cottage, Bruce, Derrick and Trent were fighting them off as best as they could while George , Brad and the others grabbed what they could. The horde was becoming larger in number, there was nothing anyone could do. The group got into their vehicles and started to leave, Brad and Veronica jumped into the truck with Britney and sunshine and they took off as fast as the truck could carry them. Rotter’s were surrounding the vehicles by the hundreds, George put the motor home into gear and smashed into task many rotter’s as he could trying to create a path toward the road. Soon the convoy was away from the main horde, blood covered their windshields, the wipers were working overtime so they could see what was in front of them. Soon they were on their way toward the bunker with the horde behind them, the road was full of abandoned vehicles and dead bodies. George lead the convoy toward where he figured the bunker would be, they drove on for two days through towns and fields, nothing looked even close to what they were hoping for. Soon they started seeing what used to be functional dairy farms, George looked at his maps. According to the map I have we should be hitting the first bunker very soon but all I am seeing is farms. Drew radioed up to George, we need to turn up here at this next roadway and the bunker should be at the end of the road. George couldn’t understand it, where were the buildings? Where was the barb wire fencing and government vehicles? George was expecting military or something protecting their bunkers. The place looked like nothing but a run down barn for cattle. Suddenly there was a gunshot, the bullet went through the windshield of the motor home barely missing George’s neck, George slammed on the breaks, everyone looked around the building to try and figure out where the shot had come from. On top of the building George heard someone shouting, come any closer and I will start taking you out one by one. George recognized the voice, Franz we aren’t here to fight you, we are just lookin
g for shelter. Franz remembered George and the rest from the arena, well if it isn’t the people that murdered my friends and took off with my vehicles, I should kill you just because I hate you. Kyle looked around the building for signs of others, he knew if Franz was in the building there had to be others hiding somewhere. Kyle radioed Drew, it’s a trap, I can see at least ten other guys with their rifles pointed straight for us. Drew called to George, I don’t like the looks of this friend, let’s try find somewhere else. George started to get back into the motor home when Franz took a shot, the bullet grazed George’s leg. Now, now George I didn’t say you could leave just yet. Jennifer jumped out of the motor home to check on George, the bullet had cut through the skin of his calf but the bullet didn’t pierce through to any muscle. Greg and Bruce helped George up, what do you want from us Franz? Franz grinned, I want your lives as payment for all you have taken from me. Suddenly all the other men that Kyle had seen hiding stood up with their guns aimed at the group, for course I’ll sty to my original gentleman attitude and try to spare as many women and children as I can but if they fire upon us we will be forced to shoot them as well. Jennifer helped George into the motor home while the other men of the group got ready for a war between them and Franz. Marie and Kathy attended to Georges wound while Jennifer and Tina moved the other women and children into the back so they wouldn’t get hurt by any gun fire that was about to start. Brad got Veronica and Britney out of the truck and headed to the motor home, once they were safely inside he hid behind a car and readied his gun. Soon the first shot rung out, bullets were flying passed people and piercing into the sides of the cars, the firing continued on for what seemed like hours. Bruce shot hitting one of Franz’ men in the neck, the man fell from the building smashing into the ground below. Soon more men fell smashing into the ground, Drew saw an opportunity and shot at Franz hitting him in the shoulder. Franz ducked behind the stone stove pipe and checked his arm, the bullet had gone clean through rendering his arm useless. He yelled for his men to continue shooting. A few of the group had been shot, those that weren’t dead from their wounds were left screaming in pain. Brad shot at one guy and missed, the guy shot back hitting Brad in the hand. His gun fell to the ground, Brad held his bleeding hand while Drew tore a piece of his shirt to wrap the wound. Bullets buzzed by their heads as Franz and his men continued their assault. More shots rung out into the air, Brad heard bodies drop to the ground and suddenly everything went silent. You bastards, first you take out my arena and now you take over my home, Brad saw George hanging out of the motor home, the barrel of his assault rifle smoking from all the shots he had fired. It’s over Franz, just give up now and I will let you live. Franz came out from behind the stove pipe with his hands in the air, alright George, you and your pathetic little group win, I give up. Franz walked down the ladder to ground level to give himself up, he walked over to George with his hands in the air. George had a hard time moving his leg as he walked over to Franz, unlike you would do for someone, I am going to give you a choice, you can stay with us and help out or you can be left outside to your fate. Franz thought about it as he walked around in a circle in front of George, he felt something poking in his pocket and remembered he still had a knife. Franz stopped in front of George, alright my friend I will accept your truce and become a part of your little group. Franz walked up ready to shake George’s hand, when George reached out Franz pulled him toward each other and forced his small blade into Georges side. You honestly thought I would change so quickly, you’re dumber then I thought George, Kyle lifted his pistol and a shot rang out, both Franz and George fell to the ground. Britney screamed as she watched the lifeless body of her other brother fall to his face on the ground, forgetting she needed her crutches Britney sprung up and tried to run toward George, falling to the ground Britney pulled herself on the ground until she reached George. Britney put Georges head into her lap, as she held his head George looked into her eyes and smiled, you’re the leader now, make sure everyone makes it safely to the bunker before the blast hits. Britney tried to keep him alive but the blade of the knife had pierced his heart. George started coughing up blood, Britney I’m so proud of you, I’ll tell Kevin all about our adventure, Brad will make you a fine husband, make sure to name your sons after me and Kevin, with that George breathed his last and died in Britney’s arms. Brad walked over and put his hand on Britney’s shoulder, I’ll have a few guys bury him if you want. Britney sat there and cried, while the men dug a hole to bury their friend, Jennifer and Tina looked around the barn for signs of the bunker George was sure had been there. Tina was walking across some beams when she heard a different sound then the normal creaking she was hearing, she called to Jennifer and both girls ripped up the plank revealing an iron door. Jennifer and Tina rushed out of the barn, Britney George was right, there is a bunker here, we found the entrance buried under the wood planks. The girls helped Britney stand up and handed her the crutches, Britney followed Tina and Jennifer to the iron door, she stopped and turned around, after we bury George let’s grab everything and check out our new home. The funeral was short but everyone who knew George said something they remembered about him, Britney stood in front of everyone, tears streaming down her face. I’d like to say something about George before we go inside, everyone stopped to listen. George may have not been the easiest man to live with, true he had a lot of bad qualities but the good ones outweighed them. George may not have been my blood but he was a good brother to me, I will miss him dearly as I do Kevin, but I know they are up there watching over us and hunting ducks like they did before the infection started. Britney reset her crutches and headed toward the barn, she looked down at Georges grave and smiled, thank you George, we would have never survived if it hadn’t been for your leadership. Everyone went to the vehicles and grabbed all of the supplied they could as Greg and Kyle opened the iron door to the bunker, a wave of air and dust came streaming out from the bunker like it hadn’t been opened since it was built.