The Union: Chapter Twelve: There's a little black spot on the sun.

Chapter Twelve: There's a little black spot on the sun.

The escapee's were aboard the bus fleeing a scene of utter mayhem like bandits. They never heard the gunshots that changed their destiny. From inside the virtually sound proof cabin of the motor coach the tires implosion was all encompassing. Even the eruption of flames at the buses rear in a volcano like geyser of processed fossil fuels was a footnote. Because loosing a tire on a thirty ton mobile behemoth is an attention grabbing wake up call. Robert's initial guess as his mind streaks through the possibilities was two pronged. "Jesus...the fuel tank has gone!" followed quickly in succession. By "We're straight fucked!" The road out of town had been their path at the time it was almost free of the living dead and pointed towards wide open sparsely populated flat mid western farmland.

Everything was a blur as Robert fought the steering wheel on the coach with metal groaning as it preformed a looping left turn heading back into town careening out of control. "FUUUCK!" Robert cried out as the bus continues its swerve. "Grab hold of..........!" The pristine front end of the coach decimates the cement support of a building launching itself upon the sidewalk to accomplish this. The dead meandering around almost sense the crippled buses death throws. While none leapt forward around the flaming crater that was once the local Hiccup Gas station. They came with a "now that’s more like it!" stride for the suffering coach. A jagged chasm appears in the face of the once secured vehicles’ front as brick and metal blend together before peeling outward. Trevor gasps upon beholding far to much sunlight for his liking rolling ahead of the shaft of light reaching for him. He'd never releases Val she was still nestled safely in his chest as he bore the brunt of the assault on the coach. He narrowly manages to make the rear bedroom cabin latching the door in advance of the sunlight. They could still feel Rob struggle in vain as it nears its conclusion. Robert sought to save the breached vehicle even though his vision is obscured as he fought the wheel he could see nothing. The internal sleeping cabin was sealed and sunlight free "M' Lady Valerie hold tight to me, I fear this will not end well for us!" in the inky darkness Val did indeed move closer clinging to the undead prince.

"VAL!!" Robert was screaming aloud fearing what was inevitable as the beast of a coach decimates zombies and abandoned cars as is lolls from one side to the other down the narrow main street. "She........" Jim spoke cradling Li as she bounces painfully on her lame limb. "She....and Trevor ........" the bus then lost one of the massive front tires whipping rubber shrapnel into a crowd of curious fetid corpses. "Fuck Jim!" Robert hung the last syllable at that moment the mammoth coach took to two wheels its left side far above its right. Robert knew there was no turning back from this dastardly turn of events. Mobile homes are hard enough to steer with all four wheels in contact with the pavement. This spectacular stunt was by no means ever meant to be attempted by the craft. Robert Berry lets go of the steering wheel God and his Laws of physics were driving now. The bus had blindly swerved its way back into the center of town. A tightly pack meandering group of zombies plodded towards the out of control battering ram in its current state it simply ground through the mass of zombies coming to greet it and devour the occupants. The living dead were to stupid to sidestep the dying monster. Mangled corpses became unrecognizable pieces of human anatomy after meeting the steel wreck at forty plus miles an hour. As it slams down onto its' right side throwing Jim and Li atop Robert.

The coach plows though Effingham’s main street friction sheering the vehicle apart while sparks jump about. The buses momentum taking it in a slow semi-circle before one wicked airborne revolution deposits it in the lobby of a Drug Rx Pharmacy. The world stood silent as compared to the cacophony of war that had engulfed the city of Effingham Illinois for the last six minutes nineteen seconds. Smoke and dust were all that moved until the sounds of the dead advancing met Roberts ears compels him to move. "Get up man!" elbowing Jim hard "Get....the fuck up they’re coming for us!" The panic in the black mans voice dragging Jim River from a dizzying stupor. "Li!" Jim calls coughing nut unknown to him the woman of his dreams had blacked out. From a blow to the head and the unyielding pain from her damaged arm.

A days worth of light filters in through numerous holes in the fuselage and floods in via the almost non-existent front windshield. Jim begins to move her off him and Rob. "Val.......Valerie!!" Robert bellows. "Vale........" Jim coming alive with anger at Robert’s continued disregard for him. "Hey dick-head! …” he yells slapping Robert‘s thick shoulder. “Scream a little louder and while you’re at it throw in a we’re over here!” Rob stared at the little man who sported a gaping wound to his forehead which poured forth enough blood to coat his face and further sully his grey MWA uniform. Jim knelt down gently lifting Li up over his thin shoulders she was frail, he felt as if he were carrying the world’s most priceless porcelain doll. Well she was priceless to him at least. The first growl came from a head sticking the spider webbed windshield. Robert became aware that his gun was unloaded and jabbing him painfully in the side. Robert tilts his head with inches to spare to avoid a gore shower as Jim gave the dead entity a whack from the axe he had found in the rear "Robert we have to leave man" Jim begged the last conscious person he could see the motor coaches tattered interior bore no further signs of life.

Robert came unsteadily to his feet Jim trying desperately to assist him and remain upright! His ribs ached and his pinky finger on his right hand jutted out awkwardly. Pulling in a deep breath and he pops the digit back into its correct position. Robert had displayed more manual dexterity when taking the ammo from the cop who he’d left to die. Than he did fumbling it into his weapon but never the less it was done. "What do we do Rob?" Jim scanned peaking from the bus. "We find Val and make for that Subway the cop......" Jim halted the conversation. "What kind of asshole are you? You could go there and seek refuge even after killing that man and attempting to leave them stranded?" Rob pushes past Jim "yeah I could", he answers flatly. "Val!!!......" there was urgency eating at the edges of his voice. "Rob......Robert!" uttered Val’s voice muffled. "We can't open the door or...." some movement from outside accompanied with howls from the undead it was ten minutes past time for them to go. “Trevor will...." it was apparent as the sun caressed his brown skin. "Robert!" Jim saw the corpses take aim at the hole in the bus. He steps back allowing Robert Berry room to miss him but hit his dead target. The first corpse took two rounds one through each ocular socket brain chunks slapping his formerly living teammates.

"Val we're going to the restaurant..." The girl they saw could have been no older than ten but she was freshly burnt her skin still smolders like meat removed from a flaming grill and she was gnawing on a severed human hand. The smell of brunt dead human flesh was noxious within the cramped cabin. Stopping the child proved more difficult she took three rounds and still came on. Jim crushes her with the axe a crunch signals a severed spine which finally stops her advance. "Stay here if you want I am leaving!" Jim River calls back totting his love meets a third zombie cleaving its skull in two. "Val....I.....I..." sighing deeply "Robert my friend go I will care for her I swear!" Hearing Trevor play Val's hero yet again enrages him. He spat "fuck you Trevor get a sun tan while you’re out today!" Robert’ spettiness almost driving him to make a horrible decision. Forgetting where Val was and putting a few rounds through the cabin and letting the sun into Trevor’s perpetually dark world! "Valerie ...I'll be back for you I swear!" Robert was a man divided for the first time in his life someone else meant more to him than himself. Jim wasn't fucking around he was already out of sight.

Robert made quick work squeezing though the damaged mobile home. Cautiously he moves over broken glass using the dust and smoke as cover. Up ahead he saw Jim unfortunately so had their foes Robert went running as the dead swarms and envelopes the bus like a piece of meat on the ground at a picnic. For Trevor Clevantes the dark was natural and soothing for Val it was claustrophobic and stifling. Her heart palpated as she heard Rob and his less than quite exit from the coach. The pitch black sleeping area was soon hounded by the sounds of the dead all about they crept into the cabin of the coach bus. They were all about it and yet they saw no flesh but they stayed pounding away just like they always did when they knew human flesh sweet and bloody was somewhere near. Val covers her ears weeping she was afraid to die; she'd never told Robert how she had come to fell about him. As the survivors had no time to relax as they’d fled from Gods biblical judgment. This had come in the form of ravenous zombies stripping the Earth down to its bones. "I'll protect you Valerie I swear we'll be fine!" he whispers as zombies start pounding the only weak spot in their defenses the latched white paneled door. Trevor saw himself crackling and twisting in an agonizing embrace of death brought on by the flaming yellow demon lord who owned the day time sky. He threw himself against the door driving his legs into a corner as an inhuman brace. In a phenomenal show of will, fortitude and sheer strength this is where he would remain keeping the living dead at bay and away form Valerie. Trevor would remain here until the sun blossomed in the cloudless sky cresting and sinking back to surrender to the moon for yet another night.

Caption!

"Shit I dropped the car keys!"

The Zombie Manifesto (special shout out to me!)

Bricks of the Dead - Zombie Manifesto: Part 3

A collaboration with a very special author.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

  
   I take great pride in presenting my most recent writing collaboration. I had been told this author enjoyed my work and was dying to get a chance to work with me. So I jumped at the opportunity to work on this project. I sidelined everything else until it was done. The author came up with the premise for this particular short story and we hashed out the idea together. He tells me this will be the first part in a series of superhero themed short story. It was refreshing to work with such a promising talent. So I proudly present to you our collective efforts. The story is entitled "Fireheart" by Jorge Robert Luckett my son.


Fireheart by Jorge Robert Luckett



Chapter 1: Burning inside

“I studied hard I know I’ll pass this test” Michael thought to himself. He said feeling very confident. “Okay class” the teacher Mrs. scar said (Weird name huh?) “Okay here I go.” urging himself on looking at the clock on the wall it was 1:15. Michael feels he could take this test and easily read the assigned book. The boy loves reading and he was reading “Redwall” by Brian Jacquse its AWESOME! Alright last question what do scientists predict will happen to the sun? “Hmm it loses power and slowly dies I got this.” he says like George Lopez hearing the bell ring. “Time for gym.” he’s nervous about his test to tell the truth. “I’m not really good at science it’s not my forte” Michael thinks. Seeing his friend Gerth Kidney they always make fun of his name. Michael just called him Guy instead and he likes that. As for his last name he can’t think of a nickname for that one. ”Hi Guy!” Michael waves “How’s it going Michael?” Guy asks sounding down. “What’s got you down man?” Michael says politely. He looks nervous like some one is watching him. “The test man how can you stand there and not freak out!” He screams. “Guy don‘t!” Mrs. Scar the teacher yells out “spider!” Again she yelled “Someone kill it please!” “Will someone get this woman out of here!?” Michael calls “she’s making all the girls have a heart attack jeez!”

　
He runs over and kills the stupid spider. Now they go to gym and after gym Michael knows he will get his test back. “I’m not ready for gym man we have the mile run today.” He said “You can try to do the mile.” They start to run around the track together side by side. Michael and Guy whose longer legs give him an unfair advantage but Michael does his best to keep up. Guy looks over saying “dude why are sweating so bad you’re face is red.” Michael is panting and his breathing is ragged “my …. My chest hurts.” Guy slows down to let Michael catch up to him. Suddenly Michael begins to cough his chest starts to burn “ah Guy my heart feels like its pumping fire!” With that Michael’s legs start pumping furiously as he sprints away from his buddy. “Michael!” Guy calls this time he’s the one trying to keep pace. Michael feels the wind whistling past his face everything is a blur and his feet feel light almost as if they aren’t touching the ground. Then he stops just past the mile line on the track panting his hands on his knees. “Michael……Michael!” he hears looking up to see Guy half a mile in the distance running with his hands in the air. The boy runs up to his friend “dude … Michael what the heck you just ran that half a mile in like the blink of an eye!” Michael stands up his mouth is so dry and he is thirstier than he has ever been in his whole life. “Guy I don’t know but at least my chest isn’t burning anymore.” He stands up slowly only to notice his shirt is signed. Now that he has run the mile Michael has to do pull ups on the bar “Michael you’re first!” Coach Bishop yells “Why me?!” Michael asks he said “you’re easy to pass the time you can get only one pull up.” Coach Bishop Chuckles “Michael just do it and get it over with.” Guy says all Michael could do was to do it and be done.

He went to the bar and did the pull up but the weird thing was he kept doing it he got the most pull ups in the school a hundred. The gym teacher was stunned! “Who are you?!” The Coach yelled then fainted. “Michael how did you do that no one and I mean no one can do a hundred pull ups that’s superhuman!” He had no idea what happened he just did it. “I don’t know how or what I did it just happened!” The bell rings time to go home. While walking in the hallway Michael was wondering what had happened he finished the mile run before any one else and made what he thought had to be the worlds record for “most pull ups ever!” It doesn’t make sense.

　

“Michael come and get your test!” his teacher called. Once Michael got his test he couldn’t keep his frustration in. Out of fury and anger he bangs his fist on his desk and growls not like a fake growl like a actual growl everyone’s eyes darted all over the room there eyes fell upon Michael who’s desk was on fire! He was desperately trying to put the fire out. His veins felt like they were on fire permanently. Like his very blood was fire. He looked at his hands they were on fire alright but he didn’t feel it. He put out the fire but ran out the room it was time to go home anyway. “I’m sure they’ll call my mom.” he ran to his locker and put on his backpack and ran to the door the principle was coming after him “Michael stop!” he screamed the bell started to ring again he ran to meet his dog James outside the school most of the neighbors feared him but were told not to because he’s half wolf but he was really intelligent, loving, loyal and sweet. An understanding always passes through them like talking. Guy came running and they were off. James, Michael and Guy went running James had a complete idea of what was going on. His owner was being chased by the principal yeah that’s it. Michal kept amplifying his speed it was hard for Guy and even James with his canine speed could not keep up. Michael saw a speck in the distance. He puts on extra speed.

　

Chapter 2: Family Secrets

　

He finally got home with Guy and James in tow. His mom notices him sprinting in the house. “Hi Michael.” she said sounding really upset. Guy came and said “Mrs. Roberts….” Michael’s mom raises a hand. “Guy can you just stay down here Michael will want to explain everything to you.” Michael‘s mom waves to him up stairs.

Michael could see fear in her beautiful brown eyes. They were in his room when she started “The principle called today.” she said. “Mom I don’t know what’s g-.” he tried to finish but she cut him off “you have powers beyond your wildest dreams.” Michael was astonished “Your great great grandfather was a powerful king and he had this special power no one knows where or how he got it but ever since then the power was passed down from grandfather to grandson and you have that power Michael. I‘m sorry I didn’t tell you but I was hoping it skipped you.” she told him. Michaels mother stared at her son before speaking again “Michael how’s a mother supposed to tell her son that he can turn into a dragon, talk to animals and has superhuman powers? Would you have even believed me?” “Is that why you were not surprised when I said I had heart burn?” he said. “Yes.” his mother looked around the room. “Do you understand when you look at James kind of like he was talking to you?” Michael was surprised at the question. “Actually yes I do.” he said “You can talk to animals and that’s really rare.” She said. “Cool… but yeah I guess you‘re right I wouldn‘t have believed you mom.” Michael then sits in silence as his mother goes on. “James is a magical dog from our homeland that will explain his intelligence and all that.” Michael was so happy he yelled “Awesome! What’s he called?” “A dog….“ his mother laughs “Now go and explain everything to Guy he needs to know.” Michael went and told Guy the whole story. The two boys sat down stairs in Michaels house. Guy was stunned beyond belief as Michael showed Guy to the door. “Call me crazy Guy but I don’t know if I will be at school tomorrow.” Michael told Guy closing the door and the went upstairs to his room. He got so angry from his test grade he started to morph!

His clothes melted away his hands and feet turn to paws. His nails stretch to claws, he grows a tail and big … great … dragon wings! Michael had turned into a dragon! No wonder why he could see better than usual, breathed fire and broke his desk and ran so fast he was half dragon! The room grew cold as if a frigid mist settled about the room. Michael fells his powers retreating. Suddenly Michael’s window blows open and some one steps in! He was wearing an ice blue hoodie and a weird amulet around his neck. Michal could recognized him easily it was a bully from his old school Bobby Stalls! He was a grade ahead of Michael “I’ve been watching you and I want your power.” he shot his hand and a wave of ice hit Michael in the face the pain was instant. Michael rolls across the floor jumping into the air he transforms back in to the black dragon with an orange patch of scales on its chest. Michal breathes fire on Bobby but it does not burn him or injures him and it covers him like a bubble! Bobby‘s amulet throws off a blue light that protects him against the magic fire. Michael swoops up and hit’s the bully with his tail. “No!” Bobby screams “this isn’t over twerp!” and then he disappears. Michael could not believe what just happened Michael just wanted to sleep. He waddled over to his bed busted and lays down for a well deserved sleep.

Ten things that I would refuse to do if I was a lead character in a zombie video game.

10. Go take a photo to prove the living dead have risen. My response "Look outside you dumbass!" (Dead Rising)

9. Risk my life to save someone who is suicidal. My reponse "Hey just run into that group of zombies and leave me your gun." (Dead Rising 2)

8. Run around in my boxers to convince a survivor to come with me. My response "Kiss my fully clothed ass!" (Dead Rising 2)

7. Go spend a hour looking for a special key. My response "A size 12 boot!" (every Resident Evil ever made)

6. Deliver a message. My response "Knock yourself out champ!" (Dead Island, Dead Rising 1&2, Resident Evil 1, 2, 3, Survivor and Dead Aim)

5. Traverse a decimated zombie/ infected island to retrieve a stuffed teddy bear. My response "Have you lost what passes for your fucking mind?!" (Dead Island)

4. Look for six gemstones to open a gate. My response "Time to climb the fence!" (Resident Evil 3)

3. Go kill a huge zombie because he owes you money. My response "Really are you that stupid?!" (Dead Island)

2. Bring a survivor food to prove I can be trusted. My response "Stay here long enough and you'll be food trust me!" (Dead Rising)

1. Risk my life to give a person that has been bitten by a zombie medicine. My response "Take this hollow point and call me in the morning!" (Dead Rising 2 and Dead Island)

A few words with Rebecca Besser!

Ladies and Gentleman today we have a special treat! I was given the privilege of interviewing Post Apocalyptic Horror Author, Co-Collaborator, Editor and Friend Rebecca Besser!

Hi, I'm Rebecca Besser, author of the zombie novella, Undead Drive-Thru. I write fiction, nonfiction and poetry for a wide range of age groups and genres. I've been published over 140 times in various publication.

To learn more about me feel free to visit my website: http://www.rebeccabesser.com or my blog: http://blog.rebeccabesser.com

You can also find me on Facebook under: Rebecca Besser or Author/Editor Rebecca Besser

I'm also on Twitter under: @BeccaBesser


Earth's End, a Scifi Apocalyptic anthology,  is being released by Wicked East Press in Jan 2012!

My story, “The Olden Gears,” is included in Earth's End. Here's an excerpt from my story:
    "He drove faster, but everywhere he looked there was more destruction.
    With numb fingers, he reached over and turned on the radio to see if there was any news about what was going on; it took him a couple of minutes before he could find a radio station that was still on the air.
    “...Overnight the world has been bombarded with attacks by the elderly. On every continent, in almost every country, they’ve taken lives at will, showing no mercy...”
    Looking out around him, he tried to decide how he was going to make it home. Almost every street was blocked off by accidents, and everywhere he looked, someone was being slaughtered; his attention focused back on the radio as they continued.
    “...Medical experts are saying the cause of the outbreak and behavior in their elderly patients is linked to the chemical compound used in the ‘lubrication’ of the ReGen ‘parts’ surgically implanted; the chemical was supposed to act as synthetic blood. Once it leaks into the real blood system, it targets certain parts of the brain and triggers uncontrollable, aggressive behavior...”" ~ The Olden Gears by Rebecca Besser - Earth's End

Would you like to win a free copy of Earth's End???

On March 1st I'll be having a drawing to give away a copy of Earth's End signed by me (I'm also the editor). Everyone who comments on my Earth's End post at one of the stops on my tour will be enter into the drawing (one entry per person, per blog), so you have a chance to win at every stop along the way. The very last post of the tour will be on my blog and will announce the winner (on March 1st). So, stop by as many blogs as you possibly can to increase your chances to win a copy of the book!

I will announce each posting on Facebook and Twitter. So, if you aren't my friend or following me...you better start if you want to win. ;)

If you would like to purchase your own copy look for Earth's End on Amazon!

Now for a few questions for our special guest!

1. How did you get your start writing fiction and dark apocalyptic tales?

I've always liked to write a variety of different things and genres, and would push myself to try new things I hadn't done before. My friend told me about an anthology call for apocalyptic, and I decided that it was as good a time as any to try my hand at it. I had fun and it stuck. ;)

2. Of all your writings whats you most favorite piece of all time?

Hall of Twelve. I love both the flash and short story versions and plan to expand it to novel length someday.

3. Which piece of your work is your most profound the one story you say "Wow I can't believe that I wrote that!"?

That's a hard one... I have so many stories, and I love them all for what they are. I can't pick just one!

4. Who all have you worked or collaborated with?

I've worked with a great many people. I'm in the Collaboration of the Dead novel and I don't know how many people are participating in that now. I've co-written a book with Jim Bronyaur that should be coming out soon. I also have plans to work with other people on various projects.

5. Whats the one thing you do to take your mind "off" of writing you "reset button?"

Ignore the computer and spend time with my family, even if it's just sitting on the couch watching a movie.

6. Who do you think helped or gifted you with your talent for writing.

Gifted me? God. Helped? I've learned various things from various people as well as from writing. We all learn things as we go.

7. Were you ever discouraged as a writer?

Yes. Not so much with my own writing, but with people and issue in the industry. I've really appreciated all the support of my writing friends though; it has kept me going.

8. Do you have an author friendly household? Who supports your work?

I have a lot of support from various places. I find that most people who don't write, don't really know how to support me other than to let me do my thing without bothering me. My hub's a good one for that. :) He knows it's important to me and doesn't complain about the time I spend doing it, even though he doesn't like to read! LOL He was the first to read my zombie novella, Undead Drive-Thru. He'll also read other stuff once in a while if I ask him to. That means a lot to me.

9. Whats your average story "work time" from start to finish?

Depends on the length. I used to be able to write, edit, and submit a story up to 7K in one day. Then I started doing editing... I'm gonna get back to that though! At that rate, I could write and edit a novel a month! :D

10. Tell us what drives you and what you want the readers to know about you?

What drives me? My imagination and brain that never shuts up! LOL

Lately though, I've really been inspired by the people who love my writing. In the last couple weeks I've had at least two people who aren't close, personal friends tell me that I'm one of their fav authors. It tells me I'm doing something right and people are liking/responding to my work. That inspires me in ways I can't even explain.

Chapter Eleven: The Effingham Incident

Chapter Eleven: The Effingham incident

Robert clutches the Axe tightly throwing a glance back to Val, he winks. She tosses him the 9mm with its precious nine remaining bullets "use'em well!" With that Val sealed the door just a Robert had shown her. The only light in the bus filtered through the foot long six inch wide slot the driver used to navigate. From the oddly angled slot Val was privy to from her perch she could see to the west the direction the bus was pointed which was their way out and for now at least it was clear. Trevor paced nervously in the rear hesitant to come up to the front out of fear from the scorching shaft of sunlight dancing across the front entry way. Li Lee continued to lie where she'd been left her breathing slow, shallow and catatonic. Robert was swiftly undoing the pump handle when the first uninvited corpse appeared "Stan" was the name etched on the blue coveralls. Robert made to shoot the advancing dead man, but rethought his plan the less attention the better. "Here!" He gave Jim the gas pump handle bringing up his axe the husky man primed the tool back and forth in his callouse hands. Robert took time to figure his angle of attack. Stan lunged and Robert swung the Axe with a “crunch” it embedded itself in his head inches above his left eyebrow. Jim stabbed the fuel pump home and clicked nothing happened. "Fuck Robert no go juice!" scanning the area Robert knelt down next to a truly dead Stan plucking a set of blood crusted keys from his belt. "I'll be right back!" The brown skinned man told Jim as the sun finally opened up bathing the ravaged landscape in daylight. The ground was littered with entrails and body parts tissue, and blood smeared everywhere. There'd been a slaughter here a human genocide of epic proportions. Jim tried desperately to steel himself with a tedious hold on his dignity and manhood, but he couldn't. From his gut came a dry heave starting to wretch deeply he pitched forward to vomit. This was fortunate for him as a long dead grandmother minus the front of her neck had quietly come meandering up behind the thin fly boy. The living dead senior citizen missed with her initial attempt falling on Jim's back clawing at him. "Ahhhh!" he fought crying out even if she wasn't an unfeeling zombie Jim Rivers still was sure he could take this eighty year old woman thing. Flipping the creature off proved easy enough but as Jim stood hearing the gas pump click to life he fell into the arms of a teenage boy in full football attire a gold Mustangs helmet adorned his head. The rancid boy tried its best to get a taste of his hostage, but it didn’t have the intelligence to remove the helmet that blocked its face.

"Robert!!!!!!!!" a gunshot echos whizzing past Jim's temple by inches pounding into the skull the football player. Its head whipping back hard as brain matter explodes out the rear of the gore and gold colored helmet in a chunky spray. Jim was perplexed because the shot had come from in front of him and Rob was behind him in the station and secondly the gun sounded louder than a 9mm's familiar little pop. Granny was standing now another report and she was propelled backwards her grey matter all over his once clean blue uniform. Jim stepped around the coaches’ rear to see a man sprinting ahead of a pack of frenzied zombies. The man wore a black deputy’s uniform and bore a child on his back that viciously sunk her tiny teeth into his neck pulling away flesh. The man stopped to scream in agony catapulting the dead child to the concrete while calling into his shoulder mic and running for the bus. "Get back on the bus Jim!" Rob startled the wiry man as he shoved a bag of scavenged food stuff into his birdcage of a chest. Jim didn't require a second or third prompt he took to pounding on the white filthy door "it's me Jim!" Robert took aim as the lawman dispatched two pursuers using hallow point rounds from his .357 including the little dead girl who was all but headless now. Robert being no expert marksman began to fire taking down all would be attackers in the area at but what cost to him as his 9mm was empty and useless. The man came to Robert with a gaping exposed neck wound along with a ragged bite now visible on his forearm. He bleed profusely coming to Rob he leaned heavily on upon the solidly built black man. "I.....I........aMMM…” retching and gasping for air "......Deee…puty Tim Somerset!" While he spoke Robert eyes the two 9mm magazines on his duty belt plotting how he would relieve the poor deputy of his ammo. He was sympathetic towards the injured man but he also knew in reality Deputy Tim Somerset was already dead. Deputy Somerset was getting his wind back when Rob heard a familiar sound at his rear. "Rob...Robert what’s going on are you ok?" Val called from the coaches door "GET BACK IN THERE AND DO WHAT I TOLD YOU!" Robert screamed. He had no desire to place Valerie in any sort of jeopardy she disappeared and the door closed once more. Robert gazed to and fro for any unwanted visitors. The man was leaning more weight on Rob as he regained himself. "T.....there...are fifteen ….people..." fumbling over words as Deputy Tim Somerset went "at the Deli Shop up the block they’re barricaded in!" He coughed jagged white spittle "we saw you..... folks coming...... in and were hoping to hitch a ride out of here!"

Robert feigned care and concern but he truly had none for these people nor their plight or their safety. He did however know how to capitalize on an opportunity just like back in Chicago in that train station. A gurgling moan the Deputy with the brown crew cut whirled placing a slug in their foes neck leaving it motionless on the sun drenched ground. "I told them to make a run for it!" he told the former garbage man "My ...wife and daughter....are there…too!" Robert Beery steeles his nerves locking eyes with the stricken law enforcement officer. "Alright Tim was...it?" he asked "my weapon is empty can I have those magazines you have there?" Tim Somerset unsnapped the clips pushing them to Robert who was sweating profusely "sure.....man...I left my Glock somewhere take'em." Unlike most people Rob has no problems taking the rounds. "I'll get my guys ready to go and get you survivors…” Rob swallowed as if he were trying to eat flour with a dry mouth “…and get …your family!” Robert gave the man a hearty slap on the back and with clips in hand and deceit in his heart spoke once more. "Tim wait here make sure the bus gets topped off then we ride. Slap the side if you see trouble and I'll be right out!" Deputy Somerset leaned on the pump handle as the pump itself dinged away the gallons. Rob pounded the coach door and when Val opened it far enough for him to enter he raced up the stairs removing Val from her perch in the drivers seat. "What’s going on Robert?" she asked nervous and agitated as they had been immobile for far to long. "NOTHING!" shouting her down with a minimal amount of hostility. Jim's turn "Why is that cop out there pumping our gas and who were those people I heard him mention?" Robert fixed the skinny man in his sights revving the bus engine. Trevor quietly slid up just behind the coachman's seat to listen he was safe as long as he stayed out of the light. "I don't know and I don't give a crap!" Rob told his new union mate. "bbbut... those people they are alive. And....." Jim looked to the others for support "we can't just leave them here!" Sighing his chest heaving waiting on the signal "it's either us or them and if any of you desire to help them well your welcomed to get off and offer your assistance, but the coach and me won't be here when you’re done!" His words were icy picks stabbing each of them with the exception of Trevor Clevantes who was born and bred to be a ruthless unfeeling killer.

"Oh....oh Robert." was all Val could muster before she ran unconsciously into Trevor's arms. "Sit down Jim or you won't like what happens when I take off!" Robert’s jaw clinched as he stared out of the slot in the shutter. There were zombies gathering along the road out of town he planned to plow over a few just for kicks. "Robert my friend." came a silky smooth voice belonging to the vampire who cradled what Robert Berry considered to be his woman. With a hint of sarcasm and a pinch of pearly white fangs showing Trevor proceeded. "I have been called many things in my life indeed I am not human. Nor however my friend am I inhuman we are more alike than you care to admit we two you and I, but bare this in mind." Trevor leaned dangerously close to the sunlight but he had to be sure Robert Berry heard him clearly "even I would not do this to my own kind." Words slithering off his tongue burrowing deep into Roberts’s core as the deputy banged the side of the coach. With no regret Robert’s size thirteen boot mashes down the accelerator the bus pounces to life moving out of the fueling depot. "What the hell!" Deputy Somerset shouted drowned out by the bus roaring to life snatching the fuel pumps handle free as it went. The enraged Deputy had signaled the dead approach as he was asked and he'd been double crossed for his brave actions. He was caught by a gleeful rancid corpse his entire cheek seized in the abominations mouth. Drawing his .357 to deal with as many as he could before death took hold. The furious man resigned himself to his fate "so be it!” he mused as crowd of a dozen or more putrid zombies pulled him down to a horrible death. Two shots left and neither took anything for an expert marksman and military trained sniper. "One shot one kill" was their motto in the corps. The first slug fired through a mass of dead limbs blew the left rear tire on the fleeing coach in a cloud of rubber and sparks. Falling under the weight and pain the last thing Tim Somerset did was place a hallow point into the gas pump abject to the diesel pump. He and his dinner guest including some en route and half of the block were vaporized instantly cremated in a spectacular fire ball momentarily brighter than Trevor's dreaded sun.