The Potter's Field Read online

  The radio crackled as if summoned. Josh heard Devin’s voice.

  “Josh, if you haven’t left yet, don’t.” Devin said.

  “We’re still here.” Josh replied.

  “Good.”

  “What’s going on?” Josh asked. Lori leaned in to hear. Ed sat up yawning.

  “That them?” Ed asked.

  “SHHHH” Lori turned to him. He raised his hands in surrender.

  “Stringers.” Devin started. “The town was full of them. Best I can tell it all happened in the last day or so. We found a few of the living. Bridger and Jahda went to look for more.” Josh and Lori looked at each other, eyebrows raised.

  “What do we need to do?” Josh asked.

  “Nothing. Bridger said for you to just wait for us. And honestly, I don’t think there is anything for you to do.” Devin said. He stopped at the door; he could see the two men sitting on the couch watching him. “We’re safe for now. I think.”

  Bridger walked ahead of the others, rifle half raised, scanning left and right but not nervously. He was pretty sure they had found ground zero back behind the church. He paused long enough to look at the tractor parked in the lot and then they started down the main street towards Cotton’s house. Jahda walked behind the others. The woman, Violet, had one hand wrapped around Emma Grace’s shoulder and was holding onto the boy with the other. Bridger caught Jahda’s eye and nodded towards the bell on the pole. They both turned their eyes to the front porch of the house they were headed towards. Devin was walked down the steps and the other two men were coming out of the door behind him.

  “You’re back.” Devin said as he stopped on the step.

  “CODY!!!” Emma Grace yelled. Bridger wheeled as the girl suddenly regained her energy and sprinted up the steps. She ran into Cody’s arms, rocking him backwards. He regained his balance and held her at arms length.

  “Emma Grace. Thank God.” He hugged her. “Are you ok?”

  “I’m fine. I’m fine.” She said through tears.

  “I haven’t seen Cot..Dad.”

  “He’s gone. I saw it. I saw it all.” She said as her eyes filled with more water.

  “Shh.” He pulled her tight again as she sobbed. They turned and walked into the house.

  “Violet? Pete? Where’d y’all come from?” Vernon asked as he looked over Emma Grace’s shoulder as she and Cody passed by.

  “Glad you made it too Vernon.” Violet said as she and Peter climbed the steps.

  “Sorry. Are you ok?” He asked.

  “I think so. We’re tired.” Violet said.

  “We’ve been up all night.” Peter said.

  “Alright. Y’all come on in. We’ll get ya squared away.” Vernon said as he led them through the door. He looked over his shoulder at the strangers standing in the yard.

  “Y’all too.”

  “In a minute.” Bridger said, waving him off.

  “Just come on in when you’re ready. Don’t even bother knocking.” Vernon said as he disappeared into the doorway.

  Bridger felt a raindrop hit his arm and looked at the sky. The clouds had arrived with less fury than their earlier rumblings. He looked at Devin.

  “You talk to Josh?”

  “Yeah, they’re waiting.”

  “We need to get them inside the barricade.” Bridger said. “Or us out.”

  “So we leave?” Devin asked.

  “Do we have a choice?” Jahda asked.

  “What do you mean?” Bridger turned to her.

  “I mean exactly that. We had a job to do. We gotta get what we came for back to where it needs to be.” Jahda said. “And this ain’t where it needs to be.”

  “Agreed. But it’s been a long night and the day is already half over. Let’s get the others inside and take a minute. Make sure these folks are ok.” Bridger said.

  “And then?” Jahda asked.

  “Then we finish the job.” Bridger said.

  “We need to find a way in.” Devin said. “One we can drive through.”

  “Oh there’s a way in. Somewhere. The tractor that came by us yesterday is parked at the church we just left. We’ll ask big boy in there. He seems helpful.” Bridger said.

  “What do you want me to tell Josh?” Devin said, holding up the walkie. Bridger took it.

  “Josh? You there?” He thumbed the button.

  “Go ahead.”

  “Josh I am going to have you bring the SUV inside. Just leave the truck where it is for now. We’ll pick it up on our way out. I’ll let you know where in a minute.” Bridger said. He glanced up at the door. The woman, Violet, was watching and turned back inside when she saw Bridger looking. Vernon smiled at her as he stepped past her back outside onto the porch.

  “Sit tight.” He said and started walking towards the steps of the house.

  “Hey.” He called out. “Uh?”

  “Vernon.”

  “Yeah, Vernon. Listen, I have a few folks outside. I need you to show me where to bring them in.”

  “How did you get in?”

  “We climbed. I don't think our car can make it over.” Bridger said. “Where is the gate?”

  “Hang on. I’ll show you.” Vernon said. He turned back inside briefly.

  “I’ll be right back.” He said, nodding to Violet.

  “Alright.”

  He walked out the door and joined Bridger and Jahda.

  “Devin, stay here. I don’t think anyone in there is really thinking about standing guard right now. And I can’t say I blame them. Keep watch out here. Ok?” Bridger said.

  “Yep.” Devin said.

  “Josh?” Bridger thumbed the walkie.

  “Right here.” Josh said.

  “I’m gonna let you talk to…” He looked quizzically.

  “Vernon.” Vernon said.

  “Sorry.” Bridger said to him, then into the walkie. “Vernon. He’s gonna tell you where to go with the SUV.” He handed the walkie to Vernon. “Tell my folks where to go.”

  Vernon figured out where they were from the description of what Josh was seeing and then told him almost turn by turn how to get where they needed to go. When he was finished Josh started the truck.

  “Hell fatass coulda just said go to Sunset Valley Funeral Home. Did his dumbass forget I’m out here?” Ed said as he listened to the directions.

  “You sure you want to go inside. His buddy’s probably in there.” Josh said. He looked in the rearview mirror as he said it and saw Ed’s eyebrows rise.

  “We’re cool now.” Ed said as he leaned back in the seat and looked out the window.

  “We’ll see.” Lori said.

  “Who are these people?” Violet asked as she looked out the window.

  She watched as Vernon and the girl walked down the street. The other one, the leader she thought, was jogging to catch up after spending a minute talking to the one that stayed behind.

  “I don’t know.” Emma Grace said. “They just showed up.”

  “I saw them yesterday. Outside.” Cody said. He was seated in Cottons recliner and Peter was seated on the couch with Emma Grace. Violet sat down between them.

  “Where?” Violet asked.

  “Outside at my farm. They said they live out in the woods somewhere. Oh and Ed Riggins is with them.” Cody shook his head.

  “Ed Riggins? How the hell is Ed Riggins with these people? Who are they?” Violet asked again. No one spoke up.

  “What happened Cody?” Violet finally broke the silence. “Last night. What happened?”

  “Something got in and no one saw it.” Cody said. “Maybe it crawled out of the creek. I don’t know. I just know we didn’t see it. Not in time.”

  “Do you think these folks had anything to do with it?” Violet asked.

  “I don’t know.” Cody said.

  “But you do think its odd? Them showing up and this happening is a helluva coincidence Cody.” Violet said.

  “I thought the same thing but Vernon stopped me.” Cody said.


  “Stopped you? What does that mean?” Emma Grace asked.

  “I saw them inside the barricades last night and I snapped. I was going to shoot them. Vernon stopped me.” Cody said.

  “Shoot them? Why? Even if they did do it, shooting them wouldn’t have changed anything.” Emma Grace said. She stood and started towards the hallway.

  “I’m going to check on Mrs. Hardy.” Emma Grace said as she walked out of the room.

  Violet turned and looked out of the window at the stranger sitting on the last step. He was young, maybe a little younger than Cody. She was a little older than Cody but not so far apart that maybe they hadn’t shared a kiss a time or two on one of those drunken nights down at Tell’s Landing before the world died. She turned and looked at him.

  “She’s right you know. It wouldn’t have changed anything. But we can change what comes next.” Violet said.

  “What are you talking about?” Cody asked.

  “Well that boy out there is by himself now. And the big guy took the walkie. Maybe we can ask him some questions?”

  “About what?”

  “Well for starters, why the hell are they really here?” Violet said as she turned and looked out the window. Devin waved. She waved back.

  2

  Finders Keepers

  The morning rain tapped on the tin roof and the downspouts ran like spigots into the big blue plastic barrels. Tilly woke from a few minutes of sleep and walked out onto the porch looking across the yard. The sun shone but the rain still fell. The track would soon turn to mud again. She had almost gotten used to it. Everything stayed wet and muddy now. It had been a while since she thought about how nice a warm bath and a dry bed would be but she thought about it now. The door swung open behind her but she didn’t turn around. She felt his arms wrap around her.

  “What are you doing?” Raj asked as he stepped into the late afternoon air.

  “Just thinking.” Tilly said as she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. “And listening to the rain fall.”

  “Sounds peaceful.” He said.

  “It does.” She kissed him.

  The peace was broken as they both heard the unmistakable sound of tires squealing on asphalt followed by a dull thud. Raj thought he heard metal or glass too. They looked at each other.

  “That was out there on the main road.”

  “Yeah.” She said.

  “I’ll get the others.” Raj said as he turned and bolted towards the saloon.

  Tilly still had her eyes on the horizon but caught movement on the path below. Kate stepped out of her shack.

  “Did you hear that?” She asked looking up towards Tilly.

  “What did you hear?”

  “It sounded like a wreck.” Kate said.

  “That’s what I thought too.”

  “Do you think it’s them? Josh, Bridger?” Kate asked.

  “I don’t know.” Tilly said. “But I am going to find out.” She started walking towards the gate.

  Charlie, Jennifer and Cameron came from around the other side of the barn just as Tilly began to work the latch.

  “Did you hear that?” Charlie asked.

  “I did. That’s where I’m going.” Tilly said as she swung the gate open. She walked back over to the truck that was parked by the barn and pulled it to the gate.

  “You’re not going by yourself are you?” Jennifer asked.

  “Nope. I’m going with her.” Charlie offered. Tilly looked mildly surprised.

  “Why?” She asked.

  “What’s the worse that could happen? I get bit?” Charlie said smiling.

  Raj ran up with the shotgun in his hand. Charlie walked around and got into the passenger seat.

  “We’ll ride in the back.” He said as he and Evelyn climbed into the truck bed.

  “Let’s go.” Tilly said.

  As the truck pulled away and Kate closed the gate, Cameron turned to Jennifer.

  “You’re father seems unafraid of the dead or was that just him being a bit cavalier?” He asked.

  “Um if by cavalier you mean a jackass then yes. He thinks because he got bit once they won’t do it again.” Jennifer said.

  “Ah, wait what? Got bit once?”

  “He was bit. It was a few months ago.” Jennifer said.

  “I’m sorry?” Cameron asked.

  “He got bit and didn’t turn.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “Haven’t figure that out yet. Not like we have a biomedical research facility out back.” Kate said.

  “But, I don’t…”

  “The other night you told me a story and I appreciate that. This is a story I can tell you. Come on back to the saloon and I will.” Kate said as she walked off.

  “I got one more round to make.” Jennifer said as she walked off in the other direction leaving Cameron standing alone.

  His eyes followed Jennifer for a moment and then turned to watch the truck roll across the top of the rise and disappear into the trees. He then turned towards the saloon and started walking.

  “This should prove enlightening.” He said to himself as he walked a little faster.

  Dottie, Martin and Ham watched them from the porch of the saloon.

  “What happened?” Ham asked.

  “Not sure. Raj said that they heard a crash or something. They are going out there to find out.” Dottie said.

  “Is it Jahda and Devin? And the others?” Ham asked.

  “I guess that’s what they are going to find out.” Martin said.

  “Well they need to be care…care…” Dottie started to say but began coughing.

  She doubled over and coughed a few times while Ham looked at her wide-eyed. Her face was turning red then purple and Martin stepped over and put his hand on her back. She swatted it away and waved him off, the whole time turning various shades of crimson. She coughed until he was sure she was about to pass out then suddenly she took a deep breath and put her hand at the base of her throat.

  “Lord almighty.” She squeaked out. She coughed hard one more time and spit out a rather large, faintly red ball of mucus. Ham recoiled slightly from the sight.

  “Well that was fun.” She said, wiping her mouth. “I think I’ll go sit down.” She turned and walked inside. Martin followed her.

  She sat down at the table and Martin walked over to the large water cooler on the bar. He drew her out a cup full and handed it to her. She sipped it slowly.

  “Are you ok?” He asked.

  “Fine. Well, fine enough. I’m dying. They found the spot on my lung about a month before the world went crazy. Had one treatment, guess it didn’t take.” She smiled.

  “What does Raj say?”

  “Haven’t told him yet. I’m sure Raj is a fine doctor and smart as a whip but pretty sure he can’t fix this.” She said as she wiped a little spittle from the corner of her mouth.

  “What can we do?” Martin asked.

  “For me? Now? Nothing. But, and I haven’t said this to anyone, there is something you can do for me when I’m gone.” Dottie turned and looked at him. Her eyes had suddenly turned red rimmed and watery.

  “Anything.” Martin said as he reached out and touched her hand. The coolness of the skin reminded him of touching his wife’s hand at the end.

  “It’s ..I …” She stammered.

  “Go ahead. I promise you.” He reassured her.

  “I know when the time comes someone will have to make sure I don’t come back. I understand that. But after that, please don’t let them burn me. Please bury me. Please.” Dottie begged.

  “Of course. I will make sure of it. But let’s put that off as long as we can. Ok?” He said.

  “I’ll do my best.” She smiled through her tears.

  The truck rocked over the ruts and sloshed through the slowly forming puddles. The rain was a little steadier now but still light. Tilly became aware that she was now further away from the compound than she had been in months. The trees that were just a few days ago d
ark and dead were now dotted with bits of green. The drab path they were on was lined with random grasses and clover waking from their winter stasis to complete the regeneration of life. They came to where the mud met the asphalt. Raj stood in the bed of the truck, propping his hands on the roof, and looked first left and then right.

  “Which way?” Charlie asked.

  “I think right.” Tilly yelled out the window.

  “Yeah, I think so too.” Raj said. He looked over the side and caught Tilly’s eyes in the side mirror. She smiled at him.

  “Hang on.” She said. He sat back down.

  Tilly turned the truck and slowly rolled down the road. The mud made a sticky sound as it left the tires for the asphalt. Occasional splatters on her side mirror quickly turned to streaks as the rain made a half assed attempt to wash it off. She flipped on the headlights and the glow cut against the fading day. She fumbled for the wiper blades and the first few passes left the windshield streaked with grime. She slowed slightly until she could see again. She was startled when Raj banged his hand on the roof. She stopped.

  “There. To the left.” He said.

  She turned and looked. Charlie leaned across the seat and stretched his neck to see. Evelyn stepped out of the truck bed and walked to the edge of the road.

  “Jesus.” She whispered under her breath.

  About fifty yards off the road, nestled up against a sturdy old oak tree, was a small car. It was upside down and two of the tires were in shreds. The ground between it and the road was a rough muddy scar plowed up as it careened towards the trees. Scattered among the remnants of mud and car parts were pieces of the dead. The others got out of the truck and Evelyn could hear the nervous racking of shotguns. She looked up and down the road but didn’t see any movement.

  “Other side of the car. Look.” Charlie said.

  There were several deaduns on the ground pawing at the car. Charlie’s voice carried to them and they began to struggle upward towards them. Tilly drew her machete and Raj his as he handed the shotgun to Evelyn. The two of them moved across the open ground towards the deaduns and Tilly brought her blade down on the head of the first one. It landed just above the things ear and slammed into the things skull. Pop. Raj drove his up through the bottom of the next ones chin and it settled just behind the things nasal cavity. Pop. He withdrew his machete just in time to turn. Tilly was struggling to pull her weapon from the things head and Raj saw the dark blur moving towards her from the other side of the car. He started running towards her. Tilly became aware of movement from two directions at once and she turned towards Raj. When she saw him running she turned to see what had caught the other corner of her eye. She wasn’t prepared for what she saw.