The Wall Fifteen - Rock and a Hard Place series: This is the conclusion of this series.

The Wall Fifteen

            Year 23, August, Early Morning:      Glenn and Maggie are dead. They died together. We were not able to go back and retrieve their bodies. At least Rick gave them a proper burial; one of the few considerate things he’s done in recent years. I don’t think I can forgive him for this. I don’t think I can even call him Dad anymore. We’re so different and yet…so much the same. We want the same things but go about it in different ways. Rick believes in ultimate control to protect those you love. I don’t. Building a wall will not keep the dead out. Scanning patrols, assigning jobs, making people “earn” their place will only bring about one thing…revolution.

            One silver lining is Beth. She’s beautiful; she has Maggie’s eyes. Marla is leaving the Dead Heads, she can’t forgive what happened to her parents. I sent them on this mission and they didn’t come back from it. She blames me and I can understand it. I won’t tell her about Beth….not yet. I don’t want Marla to do something that would endanger herself. She wants to blend in with the people of New Charleston. I can at least help her with that.

            New name, new identity, new start. We should all be so lucky. I’ll keep an eye on her though. One day, we’re going to need her. I sent Michonne outside the wall with Beth. No one must know she survived the fire.

            Dr. Hopkins analyzed Beth’s blood. I can’t really say exactly what she said with all her technical talk but in laymen’s terms; she’s special. Because she was exposed to the walker virus while still in the womb the virus and her DNA are coexisting somehow. Doc called this Chromosome Fusion? Not sure what that really is but she’ll continue to work on it for the foreseeable future. Not only that, Beth may be the key to even curing this thing. Unfortunately there is also a side effect of changing some walkers into something else. Something…more dangerous. Could this be what Rick wanted? Create an army of controllable walkers? If it is, then the Dead Heads are going to have to act soon. We’re preparing now…for war.

                                                                                    -Carl Grimes

            Carl closed his journal after reading the old entry. Marla knows about Beth and he feels a weight lifted off his shoulders. Marla wants to see her, he can’t allow that, not now. New Charleston is in turmoil, the lower ring is flooded with walkers and the survivors are in disbelief. The NCD has yet to make an appearance of at least trying to contain the walkers which leads Carl to believe that they are all hiding behind the inner wall waiting for the inevitable to happen.

            The city is not lost, not entirely. After hours of walking with the occasional Zeek to put down the group finally made it to the inner wall. From their hidden vantage point, Carl observed the NCD patrolling the top walkway.

            “So here’s where all the forces are. Why am I not surprised?” Daryl spoke as he squatted low out of sight.

            “Unbelievable. You have innocent people dying in the streets and the NCD does nothing but patrol a wall?” Hank spoke incredulously.

            “Of course, all the big shots are behind that wall. All the assets, or as I like to call them, the assholes.” Trinity kneeled beside Jen. The group crouched unaware of the elite squad of NCD bearing down on their position.

            Councilman Troy spoke the Major James sitting in the truck beside him. “Now remember James, we want these Dead Heads alive. You can shoot them but don’t kill them. They have valuable information that we need.” Troy smirked as he watched the group on the security camera.

            “Oh they’ll give us a fight, Councilman. More than likely one of those Dead Heads in the leader and a pain in my ass for several years now.

            “Don’t worry Major, I have a feeling they won’t put up much of a fight.” Troy’s smirk turned into a full grin as the NCD converged on them.

            Carl spoke to Daryl trying to plan their infiltration of the Inner Wall when a feeling struck him. He stopped talking midsentence. “Carl? You alright?” A single bullet hit the concrete wall in between the two sending rocks flying. The group turned drawing their weapons.

            “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” A male voice crackled over a loud speaker. “You are surrounded. If you want to die then please by all means try to shoot your way out of this but I’m sure you want to live so drop your guns now.” The voice said sarcastically.

            “Don’t do it.” Daryl spoke softly. “We can’t be taken. If some of us can make it out, I’d rather take that chance.” Daryl fingered the trigger on his bow.

            “Stop it! Please, please stop.” A female voice now pleaded on the loud speaker. A familiar female. “Please, don’t hurt them.”

            “I should have known you were a part of them. I’m glad I had you followed to confirm my suspicions.” Troy spoke. “Drop your weapons or Judith will die.”

            Carl’s heart sank, in a split second he was thrilled to know his baby sister was still alive but now devastated with the reality that she was taken. “Put down you guns.” Carl commanded. No one hesitated, the Dead Heads were not going to win this standoff.

            “That’s good. I’m glad I finally caught the mysterious leader of the Dead Heads. Isn’t that right Carl? I should have known that also. Take them!” NCD dressed in black gear descended on them, efficiently taking them down with blows to the back of the head. Carl watched his people being tied up as he was hit and the lights went out.

            As the NCD gathered what was left of the Dead Heads into a truck for transport beyond the inner wall a lone walker viewed them. It didn’t attack but turned away and rounded a corner to shamble out of sight. Its dead legs carried it along the inner wall to a point where the patrol on the top thinned out.

            The walker reached its hand up and grasped a piece of cement jutting out; it haul its frail frame up the wall hand over hand. It didn’t care that its fingers cracked; it felt no pain and left a trail of blood in its wake. Some entrails splattered on the ground as it lifted itself up and over. It simply stepped over the organs and ambled to the singular guard pissing over the wall unawares.

            It grabbed his neck and dug its teeth into the flesh, the guard only able to let out a gurgled scream. The walker dropped the body not intending on feasting but needing this guard to turn and join him. The walker moved on to the next one.

            The truck carrying Carl and the group moved through the inner gate into the heart of New Charleston to the well-guarded holding cells. It was here where they locked up citizen who break the rules but most were here simply to be experimented on.

            Betty Patterson started the experiment program two years ago under the nose of Head Councilman Grimes who wanted to shut the whole thing down; the fool. If only they could have saved the infant or even retrieved the body the project would be much further along than it is now.

            Betty paced her lounge with the two way mirror into the holding cells and labs. She wanted to be able to see the testing without the subjects seeing her. She would never admit to anyone the rush she feels when watching the subjects suffer. She felt almost God-like to have such control over their lives. Her lounge was fully appointed with a Persian rug, satin chaise lounge chair, velvet pillows, a sparkling crystal chandelier, and expensive turn of the century art stolen from some of the more prestigious museums.

            A new group a test subjects were being dragged to their cells. This was a special group, the remains of the Dead Heads and their leader. Carl Grimes was just waking up as Betty sipped her glass of merlot and sat down to watch.

            Daryl kicked at the closest guard’s legs causing him to fall. He was not going to be put in a cage. Two more guards wrestled him down to the floor kicking him in the sides and cracking a rib.

            “Be easy, they won’t make good candidates if they’re injured.” A man’s voice spoke in the darkness. Troy Hudson stepped forward hauling a struggling Judith with him.

            “If you hurt her, it will be the last thing you ever do.” Carl threatened, his eyes locked on Troy.

            “Empty threats Grimes, you’re locked up and can’t do a goddamn thing.” To prove his point, Troy violently twisted Judith’s arm behind her back, she let out a painful scream. Carl flinched as if in pain himself upon seeing his sister hurt. “You’ll do well to listen to what we say from now on, if you want to survive this.”

            “Stop bullshitting us. You’re not going to keep us alive.” Daryl said leaning against the bars of the cell he was thrown in. “The people who come in here don’t make it out.”

            “Clever. You know you’re not as dumb as you look.” Troy looked behind him at the mirror knowing Betty was watching. She liked to watch and he wanted to put on a show for her. Carl flicked his eyes to the oversized mirror and quickly back again noting it. “So doctor, which do you want?” Troy asked the shadows.

            The click of heels on the floor sounded as a woman stepped forward with a clip board. Carl recognized her immediately. “I’ll take this female and this male.” She spoke pointing to Trinity and Jason.

            “Aww hell no!” Jason yelled as he was yanked to his feet, hands still tied behind his back. Trinity was lifted too but didn’t say anything. She simply looked at Jen as if to say goodbye.

            “No! Trinity! Jason!” Jen yelled as they were escorted out of the room. Hank was placed in the adjoining cell to Daryl while Jen was place in the cell directly across with Marla.

            “Dr. Hopkins. I was wondering where you had gone off to for the last few weeks. Didn’t know you were ‘sleeping with the enemy’ so to speak.” Carl ground out the words with venom. He was tired of people he trusted turning on him.

            “I’m sorry Carl, but you tasked me with finding out how the walker virus can live in a healthy person and the facilities you provided were inadequate. Not to mention the benefits Councilman Hudson promised me outweighed what the Dead Heads could offer. I’m so close Carl, can’t you see? I’m so close to solving this thing. I’m going to save the world, just like you wanted.”

            “Or destroy it.” Carl added.

            “No…” Dr. Hopkins whispered, she wanted Carl to understand. “The world didn’t end when the dead started to rise up. This is just the next evolutionary stage of mankind’s existence. We have to evolve too. Our DNA is made up of 20,000 genes, do you know that 97 percent of that is not used at all. It’s inactive…97 percent. How have we risen to the dominate species on Earth without using more of our DNA? The 3 percent that control our physical makeup, our hair color, how tall we are, our intelligence is called Exons while all that wasted space is called Introns.

            “I’ve found that test subjects that have a genetic mutation of using more than 3 percent of their DNA, the Exons, are what we need for Chromosome Fusion. Remember Carl when we talked about that? Chromosome Fusion is when the walker virus and normal human DNA can live together.”

            “That’s why you have the scanners! They’re not testing for the infected, they were testing for the subjects you need.” Hank put two and two together.

            “Brilliantly deduced Mr. McAdams. You and your daughter carry those genetic mutations too with high potential. I’ll be saving your testing for last in this grouping.”

            “The man at the Processing station. The one that was taken away when the scanners showed he was infected. He wasn’t was he? Jen asked.

            “Of course not, and he actually saved the two of you that day. I only needed one more subject and since he scanned positive first, he was taken. Your scans were noted and saved in the system for pick up later. The frequent scans are so we can keep track of you and your movements throughout the city.”

            “How can you do this Beverly? How can you turn people into monsters?” Carl asked her.

            “I was hoping you would understand Carl. I need to go now, my subjects are probably prepped and ready for me.” Dr. Hopkins turned on her heels and walked out of the room leaving Troy to speak with Carl.

            “I think I’ll hold on to Judith here. In case you try anything…stupid.” Troy forced Judith out of the room and slid the metal door closed behind him.

            Betty enjoyed that display and she now moved down to the next window to peer into the adjoining room where Trinity and Jason were strapped to metal tables. She took another sip of wine.

            “Please, please don’t do this.” Jason pleaded straining against his wrist straps.

            “Jason, I’ve always liked you. You made me laugh.” Dr. Hopkins smiled remembering how they joked with each other as she prepped a syringe with bright pink fluid and a very long large needle.

            “I can make you laugh some more just please, please let us out of here. You don’t have to do this. This guy said I don’t even have that, that...mutation thing.” Jason tried to reason with her.

            “No you don’t but a good scientist always has a control subject. Now, I have to say the quickest way to get this into your brain is to go through your eye socket. It will be painful but that won’t last long because when your brain begins to die that will be excruciating.” Dr. Hopkins said with all the emotion of a science teacher about to dissect a frog.

            “No! No please God no!!” The guard strapped his head down and Dr. Hopkins positioned the needle at the corner of his left eye. He screamed as the metal syringe plunged into his flesh drilling its way through the eye wall and into the brain. Dr. Hopkins pressed down on the plunger and push the concentrated pink fluid into the brain. Blood tears ran down his face.

            Trinity closed her eyes and tried to drown out Jason’s screams with thoughts of her sister. Her twin waiting for her on the other side. Her skin was clear of open wounds, her jaw was back into place; she looked as she did before she was bitten. That’s how Trinity wants to remember her, smiling and happy. Jason’s screams were replaced by the groans of the undead. Trinity made the mistake of opening her eyes to see a large syringe hovering over her right eye. She thought of her sister again.

            “Trisha….I’ll see you soon.” Trinity whispered as the syringe entered her eye. Betty behind the mirror took her last sip of wine with satisfaction. She left her lounge to find Troy. It was time they let Councilman Grimes in on the secret that his son is the leader of the Dead Heads.

            “We need to get out of here.” Daryl spoke from his cell.

            “Already working on that.” Jen said as she attempted to squeeze her body through the bars on her cell.

            “Jen, what the hell are you doing? You won’t fit.” Marla urged her to stay inside.

            “I’m not that big, I can slip through and get help, maybe find the keys.”

            “No it’s too dangerous.” Hank yelled.

            “Hank, I think it’s more dangerous to stay put.” Carl said solemnly. Jen continued to wiggle her way out while in the next room a groaning Jason lay next to a still Trinity.

            “Umm, perhaps I was wrong about this one. But the scan showed she had the potential right?” Dr. Hopkins asked the guard. “Let me see those scans again.” As Dr. Hopkins reached over to take the scanning unit Trinity’s arms shot up breaking the wrist restraints and grabbing the doctor by the head. In a quick motion, Trinity snapped her neck easily. The guard had no time to react as Trinity sat up and captured both his wrist in a vice like grip. She popped his arms from his torso as if he were a Ken doll. The guard screamed in pain as he fell to the floor in a wet thud.

            The thing that was Trinity stepped off the metal table and looked at the thing that was Jason clawing to get free. Trinity ripped the wrist restraints off him and allowed him to leave with her.

            Jen bent her leg in an odd angle and fell to the floor outside the cell. “I’m out.” She said as she rubbed her thigh.

            “Good, now I want you to take a metal bar and throw it through that mirror.” Carl commanded.

            “The mirror? Why?” Jen asked

            “It’s a two way mirror. I’m sure of it.” Carl responded.

            “You mean someone could be watching us right now?” Marla asked concerned.

            “I doubt it, there would alarms by now or guards rushing in.” Daryl pointed out.

            Jen grabbed the bar when a sound from the sliding metal door grabbed her attention. Jen could see Trinity through the glass but she wasn’t Trinity anymore. She’s infected. Knowing she couldn’t get through the door, Jen turned back to her task when the click of a latch drew her attention back to Trinity. The door slid open slowly and Trinity stood in the doorway glaring at her through blood red tears. She would have to kill her friend just as Trinity had to kill her sister. It was the only way.

            “No Jen, don’t go near her. She’s not like the other infected.” Hank warned. At that point Trinity rushed in going for Jen. “NO!” Hank yelled helpless shaking the bars through clenched fists.

            Jen swung the bar at Trinity’s head but she ducked out of the way. She clipped Jen at the legs knocking her off balance and to the floor. Jen brought the bar up as Trinity rolled on top of her holding the bar and pressing it down.

            Jen felt cold metal touch her neck and pain radiated downward. It was getting harder to breath as the pipe cut off her air. Trinity growled as she pressed down harder. Jen’s lungs burned for air and finally she kicked her bottom half up throwing Trinity off her. Trinity held onto the bar and wielded it like a weapon. Jen was on her feet and dodged the first swing.

            “Keep moving Jen, keep moving! Stay on your feet!” Hank coached from the cell.

            “You got this Jen. You’re a strong girl.” Marla encouraged all the while her heart was racing with fear.

            Jen dodged the second swing but the third caught her in her gut knocking that precious air right back out of her. Her vision blurred as she fell to her knees. Trinity set herself up for another swing to Jen’s head but Jen fell back as the pipe caught the very top of her head causing it to bleed. Trinity swung down and Jen caught the pipe in her hands. Placing her foot in Trinity’s belly Jen used her momentum to through Trinity up and over her.

            Jen spun to her feet and brought the pipe down on Trinity’s head with a heavy thud. She did it again and again until her face was completely smashed in.

            “You did it Jen.” Hank assured. She looked at her father, she saw the pride in his eyes. But just to make sure, Jen slammed the pipe down on her head again sending bone fragments and coagulated blood flying.

            “Quadruple tap. Nice.” Daryl approved. Jen walked to the mirror and sent the pipe flying through. On the other side was a very expensive looking but empty room. Jen crawled through the opening and found a table stand with a set of keys in it.

            “Hank, you need to take your daughter and Marla and get out of here. I’m not sure how much longer this city is going to last now. We’re going to find Judith…and my father.” Carl instructed.

            “No, we’re going to help you end this. These experiments can’t continue; we need to stop it here and now. No matter what.” Hank stated with confidence. The group left the holding cells picking off weapons from down NCD agents.

            “Trinity must have taken them out.” Hank observed.

            “Not all of them. There must be more.” Carl stated ominously.

            “Shit’s hitting the fan, big time.” Daryl added. The Dead Heads nor the NCD knew that the inner wall was filling with the dead as Troy forced Judith down the corridor.

            “Judith?” Rick came upon them in the hall.

            “Dad!” Judith cried out but Troy stopped her from running to him.

            “Troy! What the hell is this? You let her go!” Rick instinctively reached down to his hip only to grasp air. He hasn’t had to wear his gun in years but never missed it more than now.

            “Councilman Grimes, I’m actually glad you’re hear so I can tell you that we finally found the leader of the Dead Heads. He’s in a holding cell now but your daughter here, Judith is also one of them.” Troy laughed.

            “What? Judy is this true?” Rick asked.

            “Daddy, please.” Judith pleaded.

            “Yes, your son is the leader. He’s the one that has been sabotaging New Charleston for years.”

            “Liar!” Carl burst through the double doors and yelled. “You’re the one sabotaging New Charleston. Making these super walkers, experimenting on people like Trinity and Maggie.”

            “What? I told you to stop those tests. I told you I didn’t want to do that anymore. You bastard.” Rick advanced on Troy but a bullet fired through his right shoulder sent him to the ground.

            “Dad!” Judith cried out.

            “You sentimental old fool.” Betty Patterson emerged from the alcove pointing a gun at them. “You never really embraced the progress we were making.”

            “You bitch. You killed them. I was trying to save them and you killed them.” Rick accused.

            “No. You killed Maggie when you approved of the testing.”

            “That was a mistake. I never should have…”

            “Well we can’t change the past Rick. Only move forward and I think new leadership is in order perhaps….” Betty’s words stopped as a walker plunged its abnormally long forearms through her abdomen. Betty looked down to see the arms dangling through her expensive Dior dress but all she could manage to say was “son of a bitc-“ as the arms pulled apart and ripped her in two.

            “Betty!” Troy let go of Judith and pointed a gun at the walker. Its neck was unusually long and its mouth was ripped open from ear to ear in a grisly permanent smile. The thing dodged Troy’s bullets, none hitting their mark and it slammed its mouth down on Troy’s neck lifting him off the ground.

            “GO!” Carl yelled as the group ran down the corridor. Carl held out the bag he picked up from a dead guard; inside were grenades. Daryl and Hank fired their weapons back at the creature but it did nothing to slow it. It ran for them on all fours like an animal with its bobble head bouncing on its long lanky neck.

            Carl pulled the pin from a grenade and sealed it in the bag. He sent the bag flying back into the corridor. Daylight peeked from ahead; the main doors to city hall was slightly ajar. Daryl and Hank forced the tall heavy doors open enough for the group to squeeze through and they slammed it shut just as Carl exited.  

            “Fire in the hole!” Carl yelled as the group took cover. The massive explosion sent glass and debris flying in all directions knocking everyone to the ground. The heavy doors contained the initial blast but not the residual ones. They came flying off the building and into the sky; sailing overhead. City hall, the centerpiece of New Charleston came crashing down.

            “Holy shit!” Jen exclaimed.

            “Is everyone alright?” Carl asked. Judith helped Rick to his feet. Hank lifted Marla up as she dusted cement from her clothes. Daryl’s focus was ahead of them to the inner wall.

            “What do we do now?” Marla asked. “I need to find my sister.”

            “Sister? Beth’s alive?” Rick asked Carl surprised.

            “Yes, and so is Michonne.” Carl closed his eyes and breathed deep relived to know that his father wasn’t the cause of all this suffering. That people he trusted betrayed him. They would have to have a long talk eventually.

            Rick also breathed a sigh of relief trying to contain his emotions. He’s had to be strong for so long that he leaned on Michonne and Carl when it got to be too much. Thinking Michonne had died was devastating and driving his son away made it worse.

            “Yeah, but first we gotta get through that.” Daryl said as he pointed to the inner wall and the hundreds of former NCD agents were now shambling out as walkers.

            “With this group, I think we can handle it.” Carl spoke as a leader. Daryl loaded another arrow in his bow, Hank cocked his Glock back filling the chamber with another round, and Marla held Judith’s hand as they pulled out their weapons.

            “Dad, you’ll need this.” Carl handed Rick the heavy silver Colt Python. Its barrel gleamed in the sunlight.

            “You had this? I thought…” Rick asked his son.

            “Thought you might want it back someday.” Carl smiled as they looked to the wall and the charging walkers. They readied their weapons, took aim, and began to fire. They were free and they would have to continue to fight for their freedom still but when they made it out of New Charleston they’ll find a new home. One without walls.

The End.

Rock and a Hard Place 12 The Wall Four

The Wall Four

            A lone alley against the outer wall led to an abandoned warehouse where guards stood on watch at strategic locations. These were the Dead Heads, a moniker given by the self-appointed ruler of New Charleston and the Dead Heads liked it. The people thought the council of representatives elected this person but the Dead Heads knew he had taken power when the opportunity presented itself. He rules under the guise of a benevolent and unbiased leader but the tragic state of those who were consider poor and weak proved otherwise; this was true in the eyes of the Dead Heads leader, Carl Grimes.  

            Marla followed a familiar path through inconspicuous check points to reach a meeting place that was permanently etched in her mind. Here; in the middle of all this desolation of overgrown streets and empty buildings, stood a small indoor glade with a pond and sweet smelling flowers. Carl had meticulously restored this greenhouse to serve as a mediation area for him after having to make such harsh decisions. This was also the place her parents were transported to after being shot; this sanctuary was where they died together, holding hands.

            “Marla, I’m so glad to see you.” A woman’s voice echoed in against the foliage covered glass walls.

            “Judy, how’ve you been?” Marla embraced the woman with light brown hair that appeared red in direct sun. Judith Grimes is Carl’s little sister and was born about a year before her. Judy was her true childhood friend and Marla felt bad that by cutting ties with the Dead Heads, she also had to cut ties with her.

            “Can’t really complain. You know, taking it one day at a time. How’s life as a…umm…handler?” Judy seemed unsure.

            “Close enough, I’m a City Liaison but most newbies call us handlers…” Marla was interrupted.

            “That’s because you show the newbies all the benefits of living behind the Wall but none of the consequences.” A man’s voice spoke from the shadows.

            “Carl, that’s not true. Life behind the Wall is what we make it.” Marla had been having this argument with him since their group arrived in the city.

            “Of course, if you have the power and influence. What you sell the newbies is a lie, Marla. They come thinking they have a chance here, we know different.” Carl stepped closer. Marla marveled at how much he looks like his father. Brown hair and brown eyes with a strong jaw. He has the bearing of a leader and an air of confidence about him. Carl Grimes is the type of person that when he talks, people listen.

            “Look, I’m not having this argument with you again. You said you needed my help, first you need to explain to me what the hell is really going on.” Marla demanded and the three sat down for a talk.

            Elsewhere in the city, Hank McAdams asked his daughter something he never thought he would have to ask her; whether or not she’d done her homework. That world of schools and homework to Hank seemed so far away. Jen got angry and walked out the front door. He let her go to blow off steam; was this really the third day he thought.

            Jen McAdams walked down to the market, she just wanted to be out of the house. She watched as people walked to places, from places; everyone had something they had to do, somewhere they had to be. Living in camps and settlements, life revolved around the next meal, the next horde of walkers to put down. Jen had to admit, she kind of missed that.

            “Hey.” A male voice interrupted her thoughts. Next to her, leaning on a pole, was a young man in a tattered gray shirt and vest. His jeans were fitted and his shoes were mismatched but practical.

            “You talking to me?” Jen asked.

            “Yeah, my name is Kay.” He smiled.

            “Kay? Really?” Jen smirked.

            “Yeah, because my group found me at K-Mart when I was little. So they called me Kay.” He stepped closer.

            “Good thing you weren’t found at Wal-mart, Wally.” Jen’s smile spread. Kay and Jen sat on the curb and talked a little. He told her how he came to be in the city, she told him how much she missed the settlement but that her dad wanted them here.

            “I hear ya. At least it’s good you still have your dad. I don’t have anyone.” Kay paused. “You wanna go blow off some steam?” He asked.

            “What do you mean?” Jen asked, her interest piqued.

            “There’s this place some of us go to when we want to…kill something. It’s on the outskirts of town just by the outer Wall. Where we can get at some Zeeks and…you know.” Kay was talking about killing some walkers…for fun. Jen thought she should feel sicken; it’s what her dad would feel, but she had to admit, she missed killing walkers.

            “Let’s go.” Jen said without further hesitation. The pair walked to the nearest bus terminal and rode it towards the outer wall. More and more passengers got off until there was only Jen and Kay left. The last stop was in an empty neighborhood. The streets were bare save for a few burnt out cars. Once they got off, Jen followed Kay in silence beginning to second guess this little adventure.

            They arrived at an old high school, the signage called it M R Rivers. Inside the abandoned hallways and classrooms were a group of kids in the gym. Jen counted about nine of them with a walker in the center.

            “Come on man, hit him! Hit him!”

            “Aww you missed!”

            “It’s coming!” The kids laughed and squealed as a boy in the center fought the walker with a knife.

            “Come on Jiff, get ‘em!” Kay yelled as they entered the circle. The boy called Jiff dodged a lunge by the walker; it’s rotting flesh falling off from exertion. Jiff spun on his heels and buried the knife to the hilt into the walker’s head. Dark blood ran down to the floor as the group cheered. Their cried echoed in the huge room when the walker fell with a wet thud.

            “Hey Jiff, this is Jen.” Kay introduced them. Jiff was taller than Kay with dark black hair cut short and blue eyes. He wore jeans and a Ramone’s band tee.

            “Don’t you mean Jeff?” Jen asked.

            “No Jiff, I was found in a Jiffy Lube.”

            “Of course you were. So Jiff, what’s the deal here?” Jen asked.

            “Just what it looks like. A place to play. The people here are so soft. They lost touch with the fact that Zeeks are still a threat. We come here to….keep our skills sharp.”

            “Cool.” Jen looked around and felt a familiarity with these teens. They were like her, feeling trapped by rules and regulations. “I want in.” Jen smiled.

            Hours later Jen stumbled out of the school knowing they were going to meet up again next week. Jiff said it was getting harder and harder to get Zeeks from outside so they don’t meet as often as they once did. Jen felt anticipation for next week’s meeting and she was so absorbed in her thoughts that she ran right into an authority figure that could cause her trouble.

            “Jen? What are you doing here?” Marla asked the young McAdams girl knowing how far away she was from her home.

            “Marla…I…I was just exploring the city.” Jen lied.

            “You shouldn’t be this close to the outer wall. It’s not safe.” Marla spoke quickly worried that Jen may have followed her to the meeting. She didn’t want to put the child in danger. “I’ll make sure you get home. Come on, it’s late; curfew will start soon.” Marla led the way back to the bus stop and they boarded the last transport.

            The summer sun just began to set turning the sky from bright blue to deep orange. Elsewhere in the city people were going about their daily lives not having to worry about how to save the city from itself like Marla. She was going to need help but there were few people she trusted. Maybe good help won’t be in old friends but new ones. Marla hated to bring innocent people into this conflict but if what Carl said was true, every life behind the Wall will be at stake. Luckily she was bringing Jen home, so she had an excuse to talk to Hank. Marla just hopes this is the right course of action.

To Continue…. 

Rock and a Hard Place 12 "The Wall" One

Rock and a Hard Place 12 “The Wall”

One

            Twenty-five years have passed since the initial outbreak that caused the deaths of more than two thirds of the world’s population. The survivors were left to fend for themselves in a new world devoid of government and civilization but full of the infected. Those first few years were the hardest and it wasn’t clear if this was mankind’s imminent extinction event but by some miracle, small pockets of humanity managed to endure.

            Many small groups merged into bigger and bigger communities; eventually all left alive from Maine to Florida and just east of the Mississippi river migrated to the remains of Charleston, South Carolina and formed New Charleston, the only human city left on the Eastern US. This city was made possible by New Charleston’s location with two rivers to the east and west and the Charleston harbor to the south. Carving a path through the peninsula city is the most valuable line of defense against the infected and that is The Wall.

            The Wall took almost a decade to construct and is built from solid concrete with retaining walls, support structures, and abutments for strength. It soars at a neck breaking 10 stories tall; some may say 100 feet is overkill but it illustrates the panic and fear people had from walkers.

            “The Wall is here for our protection. If the Wall were to ever come down, New Charleston would soon follow.” The woman on the loud speaker spoke as if she were a tour guide. Inside the raised train car new arrivals to New Charleston were being escorted to Processing.

            “If you look to the top of the Wall, you’ll see the NCD or New Charleston Defense force. These men and women are charged with defending New Charleston against threats from the infected and others. Perhaps some of you will want to join the NCD in the future.” Tour Guide Betty spoke again. Jen McAdams just rolled her eyes and tried to read the tattered comic her dad gave her before entering the train. Hank McAdams sat in the window seat with a feeling of dread. For the past 10 years, Hank has avoided entering the city opting instead to make a life in the last remaining smaller settlements outside the Wall.

            His daughter, Jen, has become increasingly reckless when it comes to fighting off walkers. Hank felt they needed to be a part of a civilization again even if that is behind the great Wall. Life was different behind the Wall even the blonde woman on the loud speaker looked almost foreign to him in a dark blue skirt suit free from blood stains and dirt. Hank heard plenty of stories from other travelers who managed to escape the city.

            Here in New Charleston you trade your freedom for survival. Instead of having to forage for food you have a simple barter system, instead of fighting off walkers you have the NCD for protection, and instead of sleeping in shifts you have the Wall.

            “We’ve been on this train for a while, when are we gonna get there?” Jen asked, her face still buried in the comic.

            “Processing should be the next stop. Remember, this is not the Redgate settlement, you can’t do what you want when you want here. There are rules, regulations…okay?” Hank asked. He looked at Jen, she didn’t look up from the comic. “Jen?”

            “Yeah yeah, I got it. It’s like the prisons you told me about.” Jen spoke still reading the comic. Hank didn’t tell her how close her observation was even though she meant it as a snarky remark.

            “Jen, you never got a chance to live in a city. We’ve always moved from place to place, never settling anywhere. That’s not a life to live forever.” He lean in and took the comic gently from her hand. He wanted to look in her eyes…her mom’s eyes.

            “Our life was fine, I don’t know why you dragged us here.” Flashing green eyes filled with anger before looking away.

            “Jen, I’m not young anymore. If something happens out there and I can’t protect you….I don’t even want to think about it. The point is its safer here…behind the Wall.” Hank was amazed at how quickly he began to parrot what was being drilled into the new arrivals.

            “I’m not a child anymore. You don’t have to protect me; I can protect you…and you’re not that old…dirt is still older than you are. Come on dad, you’re only…what 28?” Jen smiled.

“55 little smart ass.” Hank laughed. Jen loved her dad, without him she wouldn’t be alive. Jen doesn’t remember her mother she died when she was five years old. She turned; her dad had to put her down. He still misses her; Jen could see the sadness and regret in his eyes.

            “Welcome to Processing…” Tour guide interrupted Jen’s thoughts. “This is where you get your housing assignments as well as meet your city liaison. He or she will be your guide for the first few weeks here. I would advise you to listen to what they have to say as they are charged with showing you how New Charleston operates. Your life outside the Wall is completely different from your life within. It’s better behind the Wall.” The tour guide was going on but Jen wasn’t listening.

            She was thinking about what her dad had to say about not being able to protect her. Life in this city is extremely different and Jen didn’t want any part of it but she’ll stay if that’s what her father wants.

            Hank and Jen left the train in the flood of newcomers to New Charleston. The platform was tightly packed and everyone was pushing and shoving to get to Processing. Lines began to form in front of seated screeners. The screeners are officials that have hand held blood tests to make sure infected people don’t enter the city.

A young man stood in front of Hank and held out his forearm to be screened. The sample was taken and a red light began to blink. The screener motioned to someone behind Hank and a squad of NCD force swept in and took the man.

“No! I’m not infected! Please, I was screened at the Wall, I’m fine. This is a mistake! Please, please…” the man pleas faded as he was taken down an alleyway. No one even flinched as the man was hauled away. Maybe he was infected, maybe he was not but Hank was not about to rock the boat on their first day. He made a mental note to stay in line and don’t make waves.

“What the hell was that?” Jen asked shifting her backpack to one shoulder.

“Don’t ask.” Hank spoke in low tones.

“But we were already screened, how’d that guy get infected between then and now…”Jen inquired. Sometimes she was too smart for her own good.

“Just…drop it Jen. Please.”  Hank held out his arm with confidence and breathed a sigh of relief when the light turned green. He watched his daughter pass and they were moving through at a brisk pace away from the screeners.

It took months for the city to be emptied of corpses and walkers leaving it livable for people. There was no money in New Charleston; the world had reverted back to a simple barter system. If someone has what you want then you need to have something they want.

            A packet of papers was shoved into Hank’s arms by a petite brunette he didn’t notice before. She has mouse brown hair and a plain gray pant suit. She was slim but well fed and was looking down at a clipboard while she spoke.

            “Hank McAdams 43 and Jennifer McAdams 17, father daughter. These are your housing assignments and your classification application.” Her voice was light even though she seems rushed.

            “Classification application? I don’t understand...” Hank began to ask.

            “Everyone in New Charleston needs to have a purpose. Tomorrow you will be tested to determine your classification. Depending on your skills you’ll given your assignment.” The brunette still didn’t look up from writing.

            “You must be our handler. And you are…” Hank attempted to be polite.

            “Marla. Marla Goode. And I’m not a handler, I’m your liaison.” She looked up then and Hank noticed a healed wound on her right cheek. Even with the mar Marla had a pleasant face.

            “You done enough staring?” She asked with an attitude.

            “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…it’s just…” Hank tried to explain.

            “Just what? Yeah I know, I’m not pretty enough to classify as a glorified cheerleader and tourist guide like the train stewards but I do okay for myself.” Marla exclaimed. Sounds like she’s been defending herself for a long time.

            “Ms. Goode, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it, honestly.” That seemed to calm her down.

            “I’m sorry too. It’s just…I don’t know. You need to have a thick skin living behind the Wall. Most newcomers aren’t used to living with so many rules and regulations while those who’ve been here a long time don’t see any other way to live. Sometimes that causes conflict.” Marla began to write on her clipboard.

            “So you haven’t been here long?” Hank asked as Marla began to walk. He assumed she was showing them to their housing unit. Jen left the conversation long ago and began to trail behind them. To her right she watched as more newbies filed out of a train. Most were dirty with ripped clothes, like her and her father, but they were in sharp contrast with the people who have been living here.

            They were like Marla, clean and colorful clothes, plump faces, and purpose to their walk. They have not been scavenging for food or fighting off a horde of walkers. Maybe life here was not too bad if it means you know where your next meal is coming from. But these people were soft, outside the Wall they would probably be walker fodder.

            Jen had never seen buildings so high some even soared higher than the Wall. Growing up, her father taught her to stay clear of the cities, the places people use to live in great numbers, because those were filled with the dead. The cities were packed and that made it difficult to escape if needed. But here, the city is alive. Cars and bikes and people walking crowded the streets and sidewalks. There were no dead bodies lying in the ditch or burned out cars on the roadside.

            Jen watched as a dark blue van pulled up and parked. The back doors opened and Jen was stunned motionless.

            “Jen? Come on, Marla is showing us where we’re going to live? Have you been paying attention? Jen?” Hank looked in the direction Jen was staring and there in the middle of a busy street half a dozen walkers poured out of a parked van. There was a second of awkward silence as if no one could believe it before all hell broke loose.

            “Walkers! Jen run!” Hank grabbed his daughter by the shoulder and spurred her into action. People were screaming and running in all directions. Marla was right on Hank’s heels until she screamed. Hank turned to see a walker reaching for her. Instinct took over as Hank spun around and kicked the walker back. As the walker fell Hank reached for his gun in his waist band only to remember it was confiscated at the outer wall. A smiling woman told him he wouldn’t need that gun behind the Wall, that it will be collected and cataloged should he want to retrieve it when he left the city.

            “Fuck!” Hank yelled as he brought his booted heel down on the walkers head. Over and over he smashed until its head was just walker jelly. A group of armed men surrounded the intersection and made quick work of the remaining walkers. Several bystanders were taken into custody because they were bitten. Most likely they would be taken someplace to be killed as was the way in this world.

            “Dad?” Jen looked at him and handed him a small flyer that littered the area. A trail of paper lead from the van to the hands of the survivors. The flyer simply read “There is No Life Behind the Wall.”

            “What the hell is this?” Hank asked a recovering Marla.

            “The Dead Heads? I thought they were driven from the city.” She looked shocked.

            “Who are the Dead Heads?” Hank asked.

            “They want to destroy life behind the Wall. I never thought they would go this far.” Marla looked around at the devastation.

            “Something tells me this may have just started. I thought it was supposed to be safe here.” Hank crushed the ugly flyer in his fist thinking only of the safety of his daughter.

            “Well, that was some welcome.” Jen exclaimed. “Shit.”

To continue.

Rock and a Hard Place 11-Part 2 The Church of the Dead

Rock and a Hard Place 11 –Church of the Dead- Part Two

            It has been a week since Gloria arrived on the island and she never felt more apprehensive. She gleaned as much information as she could from the women population barely seeing any man besides David and his few guards. The residents were not too forth coming but they made her feel uneasy; as if everyone was hiding something.

            “Good morning Gloria.” Clara walked in with a radiant smile. Clara had been shadowing Gloria around with the pretense of “showing her the ropes” but Gloria was no fool. Clara’s sole purpose was to watch her and to scrutinize the information Gloria was getting. “It’s a glorious day. A perfect day for church.” Clara began pulling clothes out of a drawer and laying them on the bed.

            “Church? Is that really necessary?  The world pretty much ended, instead of going to church and praying we should be out doing something productive.” Gloria suggested.

            “This is productive Gloria. Not everyone is as…strong emotionally as you seem to be. Some people need their faith now more than ever. All have lost their families and homes and ways of life; we need our faith to keep us going. So, David has deemed that we all attend church once a week. Here you are, I’ll wait outside.” Clara finished laying out the clothes and closed the door behind her.

            Gloria had to admit that Clara had a point. For someone who has lost everything, what is their reason for living now? Faith that the human race will survive may be all they have. It wouldn’t hurt to give church a chance. Gloria dressed in the khaki pants and white button down that Clara laid out.

            Walking outside, Gloria saw the other residence dressed in similar clothes. Clara took notice of Gloria’s semi-shocked expression.

            “We dress similar as a sign of our unity.” It was little statements like this that would cause warning sirens to go off inside Gloria’s head. Once inside the converted cabin, Gloria sat in a pew with Clara and other happy congregants.

            “My brothers and sisters, welcome.” David took the pulpit and began to speak. He looked like a compassionate politician but Gloria learned that not everything is what it seems here.

            “It has been 10 months since our forming of this community. We started out with nothing, a few scraps. We were scared and disheartened.  But we survived and we thrived and here we are together in a working community. We’ve had to sacrifice much to have what we have. While people are still dying on the mainland, we’re safe and should be grateful for all we have…” David’s speech ran long and Gloria thought it felt forced and disingenuous.

            She took this time to look around the church and saw eyes blinded by faith and obedience. These people were still scared and had to stay in line to live on the island. This was no life for her. Gloria made the decision to leave the island on the next boat. She’d rather take her chances among the dead than be surrounded by these people.

            “Bless you, David. You saved me and my daughter. Bless you.” A woman stood to give her praise. Strange, Gloria thought, they were more focused on David and less on God in this church.

            “Welcome our sister, Gloria, she’s a newcomer but I believe she will fit in perfectly here. Gloria, come up here, please.” David smiled with his hand outstretched. Gloria didn’t want to go near him but as she stood with a nervous smile, all eyes were on her.

            “Go ahead, Gloria. This happens for all newcomers.” Clara assured her. She stood with Gloria and walked her down the aisle. The church was full of claps and cheers as she walked, the mood can only be described as joyous; so why was Gloria’s heart racing?

            “Gloria, why don’t you say a few words.” David spoke with his hand at the small of her back. Just that minor contact unnerved her.

            “There’s not much to say but…my story is the same as everyone’s. I lost my family and people I love. It makes it hard to find something to live for…”Gloria was somber but truthful.

            After the service David took Gloria aside in the church. The people had dispersed and only she, David, Clara, and two men remained. “What did you think of the service?” David asked her. She didn’t want to tell him what she really thought. From what she saw it was a way to blind the people to what may be really going on. People talked about David as if he were God and in a way, he was. With a word from him he could give life as well as take it away. David seated himself as the ultimate power on this island and Gloria wanted nothing to do with it.

            “It was good. Very….inspiring.” Gloria said cautiously and smiled.

            “Now that’s not what you really think, is it Gloria?” David sat next to her so close she feel his body heat. He placed his hand on her thigh, it made her skin crawl.

            “I don’t know what you mean. It was nice….it’s just I never thought to go to church even before the world ended.” Gloria found herself looking for the words that wouldn’t upset him.

            “Gloria, I know what you’ve been asking people. I know what you’ve been doing. You’re trying to find a fault where there is none. This world now is what we make of it; what I make of it.” David spoke calmly and with that smile plastered on his face.

            “What you make of it? I thought this was a group, a team. But to me it looks like everyone is here to serve you. Why?” Gloria couldn’t hold her tongue any longer.

            “I made this place what it is. I saved these people’s lives. Brought them here to live in peace without the constant fear of the walkers ripping them to pieces. Is that what you want? You want to live on the run?” David’s smile never wavered. His piercing brown eyes offered no warmth. It was that vacant look and imitation smile that caused Gloria real fear; in that moment, she wished she was never brought here.

            “David, what you made here is great but…I want to leave. I don’t think I belong here and I want to go off island. I think I may still have surviving members of my group out there. I…I want to find them.” Gloria knew that wasn’t true. Her group was completely destroyed but she’d rather take her chances alone than stay her one more day.

            “It’s such a shame we couldn’t make this work for you. Clara, please gather Gloria’s things, she’ll be leaving on the next transport.” Clara left without question. “I sincerely hope you find what you’re looking for. The next transport is arriving in 15, wait here please.” David stood and left the church. Gloria felt a huge weight off her shoulders. She’s sure that David was just shocked that someone didn’t want to stay here in this pseudo-paradise. But Gloria couldn’t live with her eyes shut, not in this new world.

            Clara returned with her belongings and the men told her it was time to go. The four of them walked out the back of the church along a path and took them away from the camp. The island was really lovely, too bad the company isn’t so nice, Gloria thought. They walked about 10 minutes before reaching a small hill overlooking the dock where a small motor boat sat idling. David was there waiting on the hill.

            “I guess this is goodbye Gloria. Unfortunately, you won’t be taking the boat to the mainland. I’m sorry, but we can’t risk other people knowing about us. This island is…well…invite only. You say you don’t belong here and I think you’re right. You…ask too many questions. You’re strong willed and intelligent, I need people who are subordinate and obedient.” That smile, that same smile.

            “I won’t tell anyone,” the men grabbed each arm and forced Gloria to the top of the hill where David stood. Gloria was shocked to see what lay immediately beyond the hill on the other side. A large trench had been dug in the ground. The trench was deep and wide, it seemed to follow the natural curve of the island. Inside the trench were walkers. Hundreds of walkers clawing upwards looking for a meal.

            “Amazing, isn’t it? This trench is very useful in keeping the unwanted out but also to keep members of my flock in.” The men brought Gloria close to the edge. She looked down in the darkness of the pit and the deafening sound of the combined moans. “I have a few strays. People much like yourself that think a little too much. They may try to leave the island without my permission, I can’t allow that. Some fall in the trench….they get what they deserve. Why would anyone want to leave paradise?”

            “Because this is not paradise. It’s a prison. And I know why you get rid of people like me…because we know it’s a prison.” Gloria’s voice caught in her throat. She knew she was going to die. “You’re an asshole.”

            “No Gloria, in this church, I am God.” David smiled wider and there was a twinkle in his eye. He must only truly be happy when he’s killing someone. David was standing behind her, his breath on her neck. Gloria turned to face him, she wasn’t afraid to face the devil.

            David thought he saw fear in her eyes, so use to looking down on others that he didn’t see the determination instead. There was nothing Gloria could do to save herself but maybe she could make one last difference in the new world. Quickly, Gloria reached up and grabbed David’s collar shirt balling the fabric in her fist. His body guards had no time to react so taken aback with her intentions.

            Bending her knees she pushed herself back into the pit and carried David with her. She focused on his face, his celebrity type face with a strong jawline and handsome features. She watched with satisfaction as that conceited look of triumph quickly turned to terror. David was a coward and he screamed all the way down.

            As the walkers began to rip at her body and face, Gloria didn’t scream. Surprisingly, she felt calm. She was accepting of her fate and relieved that this hard life was finally over. Memories flashed in her mind, her parents dancing, her sister laughing, her first love, her honeymoon in Hawaii; life was good.