Dead Endz Read online

  Zombie Games

  (3)

  Dead Endz

  By Kristen Middleton

  Zombie Games (3) Dead Endz

  Copyright © 2012 by Kristen Middleton

  Kindle Edition

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

  This book is fiction. Any resemblances of characters to actual people, living or dead, is coincidental. The author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.

  As always I dedicate this book to:

  My family,

  My Friends,

  And of course…

  My readers

  Contents

  Chapter One 5

  Chapter Two 9

  Chapter Three 14

  Chapter Four 21

  Chapter Five 26

  Chapter Six 38

  Chapter Seven 47

  Chapter Eight 52

  Chapter Nine 57

  Chapter Ten 60

  Chapter Eleven 64

  Chapter Twelve 67

  Chapter Thirteen 72

  Chapter Fourteen 75

  Chapter Fifteen 81

  Chapter Sixteen 89

  Chapter Seventeen 96

  Chapter Eighteen 103

  Chapter Nineteen 111

  Chapter Twenty 121

  Chapter Twenty-One 130

  Chapter Twenty-Two 136

  Chapter Twenty-Three 140

  Chapter Twenty-Four 145

  Chapter Twenty-Five 152

  Chapter Twenty-Six 157

  Chapter Twenty-Seven 161

  Chapter Twenty-Eight 165

  Chapter Twenty-Nine 170

  Chapter Thirty 179

  Chapter Thirty-One 183

  Chapter Thirty-Two 198

  Chapter Thirty-Three 208

  Chapter Thirty-Four 217

  Chapter Thirty-Five 222

  Chapter Thirty-Six 227

  Chapter Thirty-Seven 237

  Chapter Thirty-Eight 241

  Chapter Thirty-Nine 249

  Chapter Forty 251

  Chapter Forty-One 256

  Blur Excerpt 264

  Chapter One

  His head hurt.

  A lot.

  He opened his eyes and stared blankly at the gravel in front of his face. Clenching his teeth against the throbbing pain, he sat up and brushed away the tiny pebbles of sand from his cheek.

  Where the hell am I?

  It wasn’t every day that he woke up in an alley, sprawled out in the dirt. Nothing looked familiar and the silence was deafening. It was eerie how quiet it was; there weren’t any sounds from traffic, no hums from any of the nearby air conditioning units, not even a single bird chirping from the trees. He felt like he was in an old black and white episode of the Twilight Zone.

  Sighing, he looked around, relieved to be alone in such a state of mind. Scratch that; there was a crow picking at a headless body nearby and three zombies staggering towards him, about fifty feet away.

  What the fuck?!

  He stumbled to his feet, watching incredulously as the figures edged closer along with their pungent smell.

  So, maybe he’d lost his freakin’ mind?

  His mind was foggy; in fact he couldn’t remember anything. Not why he’d been unconscious, why a headless man was lying right next to him, why dead people were walking above ground. Most importantly, he couldn’t even remember who the hell he was. From the pain in his head, he’d obviously been hit in the melon and it was making him forget all of the important details.

  The nasty stench drifted closer; a mixture of rotten eggs and fresh dog shit. Yes, he could definitely smell which meant he wasn’t dreaming and from the look of things, kind of screwed.

  One of the zombies moaned its excitement and it sent a chill up his spine. The damn thing was staring at him as if he was a succulent piece of Kobe steak served extra rare.

  He grunted.

  I don’t think so, buddy.

  As the distance between them closed its face twisted into a sickly grin. From their hungry stares of all three zombies and their outstretched arms, they definitely wanted more than a hug.

  He shook his head and smiled humorlessly. The walking fucking dead…

  Well, the two men and one female were beyond dead with their rotted flesh, missing appendages, grayish skin, and bloodshot eyes. But their hunger was alive and obviously…unsated.

  It was then that he noticed the ax lying next to the neighboring fence. He walked over, picked it up and moved towards the zombies.

  ***

  Twenty minutes later he was taking a cold shower in an abandoned rambler. The electricity wasn’t working, but fortunately the water was. After locking the doors, locating a few toiletries along with some clothing, he began washing the bloody grime from his body.

  Cold showers sucked but it was better than nothing.

  He closed his eyes as the icy water sprayed over his face, sighing as brief flashes of images popped into his head. One in particular was starting to really piss him off. Some soldier, a blond guy with a cocky grin who’d threatened someone close to him. Someone named…Tex?

  His mind went blank again and he smacked the shower wall in frustration. He was so close to something just dangling at the edge of his brain; something about Atlanta. He knew with certainty that it was vital he get to Atlanta.

  Was he in Atlanta?

  He had no idea which city or even state he was in. He’d have to look around the house for bills or other clues.

  He finished the shower, wrapped a towel around his waist and then located some acetaminophen in the medicine cabinet. When his headache became manageable, he dressed in the faded Levis and a tee shirt he’d located in one of the man’s chests. Fortunately, they’d fit although the shirt, which had a pair of owl eyes and announced, “I love Hooters,” was a little snug.

  He smiled.

  Tacky but clean.

  His stomach began to growl so he headed down to the kitchen where he found a single can of ravioli. He washed the meal down with a warm bottle of beer he’d found in the fridge and belched his approval. Then he grabbed the ax and went into the garage, where he located another lifeline. Someone appeared to be looking out for him.

  “Nice,” he said with a nod, admiring the black Harley V-rod the homeowner had abandoned. It was in excellent shape and had obviously been someone’s pride and joy. Now it was his ride to Atlanta and hopefully to some answers. Amazingly enough, even with his memory loss, he was quite confident of his riding abilities; he definitely knew bikes.

  Fifteen minutes later, after locating a map he got on the motorcycle and headed towards his destination, which luckily, was only an hour away.

  Chapter Two

  For what had to be the hundredth time in just that hour, Paige held back from using her bat. Her mom and Tiny were doing the kissy face thing, again, and it was driving her completely insane.

  You’d think they were a couple of teenagers who couldn’t keep their hands off of each other, she grumbled inwardly.

  The good thing, however, was that Tiny had kept her mom from smoking anymore of her beloved cancer sticks.

  “Smoking is bad for you,” he’d scolded her mom playfully when she’d asked him to locate more cigarettes after running out.

  “Oh, I think you’re bad for me too,” her mother had replied, with a pouty grin.

  “Baby, I’m bad but I gu
arantee I taste better than a cigarette,” he chuckled.

  “Okay…okay…okay…” Paige snapped, interrupting their banter. “Remember we are still back here, and there aren’t any puke bags in this vehicle. Either you two find an abandoned motel room or quit with the disgusting innuendos.”

  Kristie turned around and frowned at her oldest daughter. “Paige, seriously? We’re just having some fun. You really have to lighten up, honey.”

  “Lighten up? All of our friends are still MISSING. They could be lying dead in a ditch, somewhere, for all we know. And you two don’t even seem concerned in the least.”

  It had happened soon after a devastated Bryce had carried Cassie back to the other SUV. Apparently she’d lost consciousness after being bitten by Eva, who’d turned into the Zombie Bitch from Hell. What was even worse was that Paige didn’t get the chance to take that final swing. She was cheated out of killing the only zombie that Paige would have given her right arm to destroy. Such irony and it was still eating away at her brain.

  The attack on Bryce had occurred when they’d placed Cassie in the back of the SUV. A big black Dodge pickup truck had pulled up behind Dave’s and before anyone knew what was happening, there’d been guns pulled. As soon as the first shots were fired, Tiny had taken off like a bat out of Hell. Unfortunately, Dave’s SUV hadn’t followed as they’d expected. When Tiny had finally turned back around to see if Dave and Bryce needed any help, everyone was missing.

  “Hey, we are worried,” said Tiny, tightening his hands on the wheel. “In fact, I feel like a total shit that I left those guys so quickly. It’s just that I didn’t want anything happening to you girls. And you too, gramps.”

  Wanting to comfort her daughter, Kristie reached back, squeezing her lightly on the shoulder. “I know that you’re scared but you have to remember, they’re a tough group of people. In my heart I truly believe that we’ve just been separated for a little while. Before you know it, we’ll be in Atlanta and you’ll realize that everyone is doing just fine. Have some faith sweetheart.”

  Paige turned away and looked out the window, willing her eyes not to tear up. “I hope you’re right,” she said.

  “Your mom is right,” said Tiny. “And we should be in Georgia soon, anyway, so you can see it for yourself.”

  Paige straightened up. “About that…Tiny, you keep repeating how we’ll be in Georgia every so often and yet we’re still not seeing any road signs confirming it. You’re not lost are you?”

  Henry, who’d been sleeping, up until that point, cleared his throat and chuckled. “Of course he isn’t lost. He’s traveled the country and has probably been to Georgia a dozen times; right boy?”

  Tiny, who was a pro-wrestler and would have probably pounded anyone else in the face that referred to him as “boy”, only nodded back towards old Henry. “Uh, yeah, gramps. I’ve been to Atlanta, quite a few times.”

  “And you’ve actually driven there?” asked Paige, crossing her arms under her chest.

  “Well,” he answered in his high pitched voice; one that sounded more like Michael Jackson and nothing like the Herculean giant driving the van. “I’ve flown mostly but it can’t be that hard when you follow the road signs.”

  And that was the problem. The last road sign referring to Georgia that Paige could even remember had been a couple of hours ago and yet they still hadn’t reached the state. Apparently, Tiny hadn’t thought that was odd.

  “Hon…did you take a wrong turn or something?” asked Kristie as they entered the small town of Deer Ridge.

  Paige felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up as they slowed down. Deer Ridge appeared to be nothing more than another zombie wasteland on the outside, but she sensed there was something even more sinister to it. In fact, it was almost like driving through an old ghost town where tumbleweeds rolled by and eyes peeked at you from behind dark windows. Right now she’d bet anything the undead were close and on the verge of an attack.

  He snorted. “Wrong turn? I don’t think so,” replied Tiny.

  “We could really use a new map,” said Paige. “Then we’d know for sure.”

  He’d lost the old one the last time he’d filled the tank, by swatting a fly with it and tossing it away.

  “Yeah, we should probably get one. Let’s fill up at the next gas station and grab one,” replied Kristie.

  “Just be on the lookout for thieves,” said Henry. “They’re going to be crawling out of the woodwork now, by golly.”

  “By the way, Henry,” said Kristie. “How’s your back? You gonna make it?”

  About an hour ago they’d pulled over to the side of the road for a break and so the guys could relieve themselves. Henry had stumbled backwards over a rock and had complained about his back hurting.

  He shook his head. “It’s a little tender but I tell you what…this stallion isn’t ready for the glue factory just yet. I’ve got a lot of ride left in me.”

  Kristie smiled politely. “I’m sure you do, Henry.”

  With a gleam in his eyes he added, “You want to brush off my saddle, purdy lady, you just give the word.”

  Paige groaned. She liked Henry but they’d been driving together for hours and hours and he really needed to shut the hell up about his riding skills.

  “Oh, grandpa,” chuckled Tiny.

  “Henry,” said Paige. “I think you need to forget about your saddle and help us figure out where the heck we are.”

  “We’re definitely lost, that’s where we are,” he said, pulling out his tin of chew. “It ain’t rocket science, honey.”

  “You really think we’re lost?” asked Kristie, looking concerned.

  Tiny didn’t answer this time and Paige wanted to scream.

  Chapter Three

  Kris sat across from the doctor whose face became a blur after his impartial speech. She brushed the tears from her face and shook her head. “I just don’t understand. I mean, you told me that she was getting better. She even regained consciousness a few times.”

  He handed her a tissue. “I know this is hard.”

  “I want to see her,” she demanded.

  “I’m sorry, we can’t allow that. She’s been quarantined and we’ll be doing an autopsy. Listen, I understand your grief, I have lost most of my family, too. It’s tragic, horrible. But you have to remain strong for the rest of your family.”

  His eyes were flat and it was hard to believe he’d lost anybody.

  “No, I want to see my daughter!” she cried, her voice getting shrill. “You told me she was getting better! And I’ve been at her side continuously until this morning when you took her away from me. I’ve been exposed to the damn virus from day one, so as you can see Doctor, it doesn’t matter if I go near her again!”

  As if on cue, two soldiers stepped into the room. “Everything okay, Doctor Hill?”

  She ignored the soldiers but pleaded in a much softer voice, “Doctor, let me see my baby. Please?”

  The doctor sighed. “I’m very sorry for your loss. If there was anything else that I could do, I’d do it. Unfortunately, the government is making these calls and my hands are tied.”

  It was obvious that he wasn’t really on her side and it made her furious.

  The gloves were coming off.

  She was tired of the bullshit.

  Kris stood up and leaned over his desk, getting right into his face. “Okay, fine, I want to talk to whoever is making “the calls”, Doctor! I demand to talk to your superiors. Right now, dammit!”

  The taller soldier took a step towards her but Doctor Hill raised his hand, halting him.

  “It’s…its fine,” he said and then turned back to Kris. “Please sit down. This isn’t necessary.”

  She sighed and moved back, but didn’t sit down. “Well?” she asked tightly, trying to keep her composure.

  Doctor Hill rubbed a hand over his face and then finally nodded. “I’ll see what I can do, Mrs. Wild. I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll try. For now, why don’t you t
ry and get some rest?”

  She snorted. “Rest? I’ve rested quite enough. If I can’t see my daughter right this minute, then I want to try and call my husband, again,” she said. “Can you please find me a cell phone to use?”

  He stood up and grabbed the paperwork from his desk. “I’ll see what I can do,” he said without looking at her.

  His favorite line, she thought bitterly. He wasn’t very efficient in anything he’d promised and now he claimed her youngest had died from the zombie virus. But it didn’t make sense and something in her gut was convinced he was deceiving her. He had to be lying. She’d go insane if it were really true.

  The two soldiers chaperoned her back to her room, which she’d been sharing with a couple other survivors. They were staying in a hospital where the remaining scientists from the CDC, the ones who hadn’t taken the vaccine, curiously enough, had set up a new research lab. The zombies had overrun the old facility so they’d all been transferred to the hospital. There were over one hundred survivors and almost fifty soldiers helping to secure the site.

  “What happened?” asked Carly, who was alone in the room, reading a book. She was another survivor who’d wandered into the hospital, alone and frightened just two days before. Her entire family had been killed and she’d almost raped by a band of marauders. She was in her twenties and certainly had a strong will to survive. In fact, she reminded Kris a lot of her oldest daughter, Cassie.

  Kris sat down on her cot and put her head in her hands. “They told me that Allie is…gone. But I don’t believe it. Carly, she just can’t be dead.”

  Carly’s jaw dropped. “They actually told you she died?”

  Kris looked up at her, fresh tears glistened her eyes. “Yes,” she choked. “They said Allie…my baby… died!”

  “Oh Kris,” said Carly, kneeling down next to her, “I’m so sorry. This doesn’t make sense, though. They… are they trying to pull some kind of bullshit? You told me she was getting better.”

  She wiped her tears. “Well, I really think they’re lying. It just doesn’t make sense to me, either. Yesterday morning Allie had opened her eyes and she’d recognized me! Even smiled before she fell back to sleep. Then, last night she squeezed my hand and her face looked so much healthier, it was like a miracle. Now, they tell me that she’d died in her sleep, and yet, they won’t even let me see her!”