Zombified (Book 2): Shady Oaks Read online

  Zombified

  Book Two: Battle for Shady Oaks

  Char Robinson

  Copyright © by Char Robinson, 2014

  All Rights Reserved

  This book contains material protected under the International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author/publisher.

  There are so many people to thank and I would love to dedicate this novel to them all. I do want to thank my parents for buying me books and allowing me to spend hours reading them.

  For the purposes of this book, one person stands out. I'd like to dedicate this novel to my Aunt Kay. Thank you for reading to me when I was small. Thank you for all those scary stories, and yes – you almost had me convinced you were a vampire. Almost.

  Chapter One

  Charlie was met by Candice Vaughn as he sauntered through the door to the Mayor's office. She vigorously waved a piece of paper in the air.

  "Glad you're here, I came in and Dave's Place has been trying to get hold of us since yesterday morning. I took this message from Lilly.”

  She handed the paper to him and folded her arms over her ample bosom. Candice was in her late sixties, but she hustled and bustled everywhere as though she were much younger. Her bright blue eyes were shining behind her granny glasses; gray curls bobbed and danced around her cherubic face.

  "They were about ready to send a team over here to check on us, good thing I came by to bring your supper!"

  Charlie fondly patted her shoulder as he scanned the message. Candice was one of the first survivors they found over in Harris and everyone was glad she was around. She quickly became the one everyone went to when they needed advice or a friendly ear.

  "They want a progress report and also want to know if it's possible to send more people this way."

  Charlie rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said, "I'm surprised that they're still getting so many survivors out of the city, they've had ten in the last week. Guess it's getting crowded over there."

  When the zombie infection was in its beginning stages, he stumbled upon Hudson Place where Dave Martin and his wife, Lilly, took him in. There were other families sheltering inside the huge warehouse as well, and they helped him get to Shady Oaks to find his daughter. After Dave was murdered by the Connor Group, they renamed the warehouse Dave's Place and it now served as a way station for survivors from Ambrose.

  Candice nodded. "Well we certainly have the room for them now; two-thirds of the houses here are still empty, although they're clean and ready for new folks."

  Charlie remembered when Shady Oaks had been a mess. They hunted down and destroyed all the undead and rescued the survivors, which included his daughter, Jenny and her fiancé, Jake.

  They then spent the next few weeks cleaning homes and businesses, making lists of what was available in the way of goods, and getting everything running. The water plant was operational as well as several wind turbines and windmills, which reduced their need for generators. Air conditioning was still unavailable except in the court house building. The system was still too fragile, but with each day warmer than the next, they had to cool at least one building so anyone who needed to could find some relief.

  He'd seen a few of the teens already swimming in the park's small lake and let it slide because they took off when they saw him. Being the newly elected Mayor still didn't feel quite right, and he decided that a little illegal swimming was one battle he didn't think was worth fighting at the time. If it became a problem he'd have a little talk with their parents later.

  Most of the nearby farms were fine, the hardy people who lived there managed to take care of any zombie that wandered onto their property. There was one dairy and three other farms provided hay, wheat, and corn. Another farm provided most of their meat and was stocked with pigs, goats, beef cattle, and chickens. Most of the occupied homes in town were growing their own plots of fresh vegetables, training courtesy of Candice and a few others.

  Although spring was rolling into summer and it was still early, everyone decided it wasn't too soon to plan for winter. Each occupied home was fitted to burn wood in the winter and two teams went out almost every day to chop and gather wood. If more people were being sent to Shady Oaks, that meant more helping hands, and Charlie was all for that.

  "Candice, would you send them a reply and let them know we'd be glad to have them come on down here. Reggie is up there – he and a friend of his brought them some fresh produce and a few other supplies. He could bring some of them back with him when he returns tomorrow. We can use all the help we can get right now."

  She beamed and nodded her head vigorously. "Be glad to! Don't worry your head about it one little bit, I'll do it right now."

  As she bustled off, humming to herself, Charlie grinned at her retreating figure before turning and heading for his office. As soon as he walked through the doorway, he saw the tray covered with a tea towel on top of his desk. He walked over and peeked underneath. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and salad greeted him. A large glass of sweet tea that was beginning to sweat sat next to the tray.

  Usually Judith sent him off with a hefty lunch, but she was busy helping Jake and Jenny with another project. As he sat down and dug into the chicken, he groaned with delight. Candice was one of the best cooks in town and she knew it. He often teased her that if she were a few years younger she wouldn't be able to beat him off with a stick, which made her giggle like a school girl.

  She was filling in for Rose at the station and he enjoyed her company. Rose and Dexter took a few days off to spend time with their son, Kevin. Families were being encouraged to spend some time relaxing with family or friends, and it was their turn. Most stayed home or went fishing at the park's lake or on one of the farm ponds; no one wanted to stray too far from town. Charlie met the Reed's at Dave's Place and although everyone found Dexter brutish and offensive at times, Rose and Kevin were highly regarded by all, and they were happily settled into a new home in Shady Oaks.

  Other activities were slowly coming back, a baseball game was scheduled for the following Saturday, and Charlie was sure the entire town would be there. Jake, the town's young doctor, suggested the days off and bringing back community events because people were on the verge of mental collapse after losing so many of their family and friends. Some even suffered with the memory of having to destroy someone they knew and cared about.

  So far his plan seemed to be working, more people had smiles on their faces and the town was beginning to run more efficiently. They were all adjusting to the new normal of their lives, and Charlie was glad to see hope and optimism slowly returning.

  Charlie finished his meal and as he cut the first piece of cherry cobbler and lifted it to his mouth, Travis, Judith's son, burst through the door and skidded to a stop in front of the desk.

  He pointed toward the outer doors. He was panting and Charlie waited for him to catch his breath.

  "Mom sent me," he gasped out. He placed both hands on the edge of the desk and leaned over. "I ran all the way." He took a gulp of air. "Captain Sears is here and he's got news on the Connor group!"

  Charlie reluctantly lowered the bite back onto the plate and rose. "Lead the way," he said with a nod toward the door. As he followed Travis, he had a sinking feeling that whatever news the captain brought regarding the Connor Group wouldn't be good at all.

  ****

  Mick stretched, savoring the feeling of slowly waking up. A softly blowing breeze waft
ed over him through the open window that rhythmically sucked the white lace curtains in and out. He opened his eyes and looked around. Cindy was already up; he could hear her talking to someone in the kitchen, most likely Brooke. His nose twitched, he could also smell the delicious aroma of coffee. That got him moving and after a quick trip to the bathroom he joined his wife and daughter. Both were sitting at the table, mugs in hand. Cindy smiled up at him.

  "Good morning sleepy head, it's a beautiful day today!"

  He grinned at her, and then leaned over to kiss the top of her head. He swung around and planted a kiss on Brooke's head too, making both of them laugh.

  "Someone's in a good mood today," Brooke remarked with a smile.

  Mick grabbed a mug and helped himself to a steaming cup of java. "Yep, I am in a good mood. I feel like we're finally free to breathe and move around a little. I like being here and helping out, they really needed us."

  Cindy took a sip of her coffee and nodded. "I know what you mean. I love being able to go outside whenever I want. Brooke and I have really enjoyed putting in the raised garden. We have a lot of fun working with everyone else on different projects."

  Brooke shrugged. "Anything is better than sitting around most of the time. But Mom's right, it is fun, people really appreciate the help."

  Mick sat down. "Doesn't hurt that Jimmy's here either, does it?" he teased with a wink at Cindy.

  "No comment," Brooke said with a grin. She sipped her coffee, looking at both parents over the rim of the cup and wriggling her eyebrows.

  Mick and Cindy laughed and she joined in. Cup still in hand, she stood and walked over to the sink to rinse it out. She turned on the water and looked through the window above the sink.

  "Um, I see a bunch of military vehicles," she said quietly. "They're on the square." She turned to look at her parents. "Do you think it's Captain Sears?"

  Both Mick and Cindy jumped up to join her at the window. "I'm assuming it is," Mick said slowly. "At least I'm hoping it's him."

  Brooke pointed. "Look! I see him!"

  "You're right," Mick said.

  There was a knock at the front door. Mick was fairly sure he knew who it was and headed for the bedroom to change.

  "I'll get it," Cindy said at the same moment. She hurried to answer the door with Brooke right on her heels. After a quick glance through the peep hole, she threw the lock and swung the door wide.

  "Hello Charlie. Travis."

  Charlie grinned. "Morning ladies, is Mick around? Captain Sears is here and would like a word with us both."

  "Brooke spotted him, so Mick hurried off to change," Cindy said. "Why don't you two wait inside?"

  "Thanks, Cindy," Charlie said with another grin. She led them over to a small dark blue couch. Once seated, he looked around and nodded. The house had a bright and airy feel without too much furniture and knickknacks cluttering up the space. "I really like your home, feels like a place anyone could put up their feet and relax."

  Cindy smiled and sat across from them next to Brooke on a matching loveseat. "Thanks Charlie, we put a lot of work into this house. Most of the contents were destroyed and we had to look around for most of the furniture. Everything is a little worn and threadbare, but we feel lucky to have it."

  "Same with us, we're glad to just have a roof over our heads."

  "Things could be a lot worse," Mick said as he emerged from the hall. He was wearing his favorite jeans, a dark blue t-shirt, and a black windbreaker. He sat down next to Charlie to put on his tennis shoes. "I imagine there are a lot of people who would give anything to be able to live like this again."

  They all nodded. "I'm hoping someday we can go back to Ambrose and see about helping the people still trapped there," Brooke said softly.

  She looked up at the adults. "I feel strongly about that, even though I don't talk about it much," she shook her head. "I can't stop thinking about how much we have now and how there are people out there barely surviving and probably dying."

  "I never knew you felt that way," Cindy said as she put her arm around her daughter to give her a hug. "Let's talk more about this later, okay?" At Brooke's nod, she smiled and stood, pulling Brooke up with her and giving her another quick hug.

  The men all stood and Mick motioned toward the door. "Guess it's time we all head on over and find out what's going on."

  As they trudged through the grass still damp with late morning dew, Mick and Charlie both had the same thought. Please let this not be about the Connor Group. Neither one wanted to deal with that threat so soon after their last encounter.

  Chapter Two

  Sean planted his boot squarely on the zombie's chest and glanced at his brother. "My turn," he said as he pulled a piece of rebar with a sharpened end from his backpack.

  Scott peered around his brother's shoulder. "Oh, going low-tech, eh?"

  "Yep. Never can tell when you have an up close and personal with one of these guys and there's no gun or knife handy. Later I'll show you something I've been working on that's a little better than this thing."

  "Don't get anything in your mouth or eyes," Scott cautioned as he stepped back.

  Sean didn't reply, but he slid his glasses down over his eyes and pursed his lips tightly together. He glanced down at the zombie under his boot. From what he could tell, it was male and fairly young. Currently it was clawing at his leg and trying to bite his foot with an obviously broken jaw. There was something wrong with its legs, which had made it easy for Sean to send it to the ground with only one solid kick to the chest.

  He was surprised that the overall rate of decay was so slow and the one under his foot was definitely stinking and nasty, with several gaping wounds all over his body, but for the most part was still completely intact. Positioning the stake directly over the zombie's right eye, he quickly brought down the stake, driving it deep into the brain. The zombie immediately stopped trying to fight him, becoming limp and motionless.

  "No life or whatever you want to call it left in this one," Sean said nonchalantly. He took his foot off the body and gave it a nudge. "Works as well as a bullet, but a lot quieter."

  Scott glanced around the street. They were back in Harris on the far side of town where no one dared go until now. He couldn't see them, but he could hear zombie moans and they were getting louder.

  They obviously heard the team drive in and were headed their way. Everyone now knew that they "talked" to each other in their heads, so he knew that more and more would show up until they overwhelmed Sean and Scott's group.

  He gave a low whistle. He waited until he saw everyone turn his way before motioning for them to come back. They formed a loose circle around him.

  "The zombies are coming; we are going to have to move a couple blocks down and about a block over and do it fast before they see us. You all know we have to stay one step ahead or leave."

  At their nods he continued, "Good, let's be as quiet as possible." He nodded toward Sean. "Will you take the lead? I'll take the rear."

  Sean slung his backpack over one shoulder. He glanced at the group. "Ready?" At their nods, he turned and set off for a nearby side street.

  He glanced back once and was pleased to see everyone lightly trotting silently behind him. They worked hard to train everyone on how to conduct a mission without letting every zombie around know they were there. So far they'd been very successful, pulling over thirty-five survivors from Harris and not one person was lost to a zombie attack. They had one close call when they were ambushed on a dead end street, but again their training saved them and they were able to fight their way out.

  Most of the residents of Shady Oaks, if they were in good physical shape, belonged to one of three specific teams that went out to find survivors.

  Like Shady Oaks, Harris was divided up into grids and thoroughly searched. The first team, which Sean and Scott belonged to, went in and destroyed any zombies or vicious packs of wild dogs they came across. They did not enter any buildings; their job was to move fast so the
y weren't swarmed. The next team established perimeters and quietly looked for survivors, including any friendly dogs and cats, and taking out any remaining zombies. The third team was on call to assist the other two teams if additional manpower was needed.

  They had searched half of Harris so far and with the influx of new people from there and from Ambrose, Shady Oaks was beginning to feel like a real town again. No one was fooled though; almost every adult kept some type of weapon within arms' reach. If the church bells sounded, everyone knew where to go and what to do. Women, children, the ill, and the elderly went to the well-stocked shelter or to the secure room in the post office basement. Others took up preset stations throughout town. The stations had weapons caches and other supplies, including food and water. Everyone had a BOB, or bug-out bag, packed and ready to go. Until they were able to clear all the surrounding small towns and the Connor Group was no longer a threat, no one could really relax.

  Once Sean reached the street he wanted, he raised a hand and everyone took up positions around him. He pulled out a small map as Scott walked up.

  "We're right here," Sean jabbed at the map with a gloved finger. "We can search this side of town and do the other side tomorrow when the nasties are gone. What do you think?"

  Scott looked around and nodded. "Sounds good to me. When we come in tomorrow we might consider having the trucks drop us off in a cleared area so we don't attract our friends."

  "Good idea," Sean said. He rolled up the map and stuck it back inside a pocket of his light brown jacket. He and Scott preferred to wear their Army gear, but no one else had uniforms so they settled on everyone wearing mostly earth tones to blend in better with their surroundings.

  After a quick discussion, they fanned out to begin their search, but the sound of gunfire stopped them in their tracks.