Chapter 14: Rags to Riches

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The cars drove into an underground parking lot. The doors to the lot were closed manually so a few men from the other group got out and shut the door behind them. As John and the others got out of the car, they saw a hodgepodge of people collectively huddled in a corner with a small fire. There, a young lady was cooking what seemed like the last of their food in a pot. John could tell it was the last few meals because the portions were not even big enough to fill a dixie cup.

Two men had stayed behind in the base to protect the three women and several children that remained. They raised their pistols upon seeing John’s group but were told by James that they were with them. James gathered the people and they talked amongst themselves, whispering back and forth about what had happened. John stood quietly with his hands behind his back, looking around the place. Sophia and Rick were standing a little behind him.

Looking around, he could see blankets spread out to indicate the sleeping area. Water was dripping through an opening in the ceiling and they had a bucket underneath to catch the water for drinking. In another corner, there was a putrid stench that wafted over, and as John looked at it, he could see a pile of feces that marked the bathroom area. He scrunched his nose from the smell and looked away.

The people had been living in absolute squalor trying to avoid the infected and other marauding groups, so scared to go to the surface that they had not even moved the bathroom outside the parking lot.

One of the children ran up to them, his eyes shining with excitement.

“Are you here to save us?” He asked. John smiled at the little boy, who had seemingly remained cheery throughout all the chaos happening above ground.

“Yeah. We are. If you want to come with us.”

“I do! Right mommy? We can go with them, right?” The boy said excitedly as he turned to one of the three women who had been there originally. She walked up to the boy and picked him up. Soon, the others had come to John as well. James stepped up again.

“After considering, we would like to accept your offer.”

“That’s good.” John said happily. “We will leave in 10 minutes. Pack up anything valuable or useful.”

“Thank you.” James said as the others scrambled to pack up.

Soon, they headed out once more and were leaving the city within the hour. As the sun had already set, they drove under the cover of darkness.

“David, be advised, we’re bringing back a large group of people and should be home in a few minutes.” John said into the walkie talkie they had. Phone service was down so they had resorted to walkie talkies but because of their limited range, they could only talk within a few minutes distance of the base. They usually used it to signal each other ahead of time of any changes or their approach.

A moment later, the walkie talkie buzzed to life.

“Understood, we’ll be waiting.”

James was sitting next to the teen and he was looking at him concerned.

“How old are you, boy?” James asked.

“18. Turning 19 in a few months.” John replied.

“I’m scared of what you must have gone through to become like this.” James sighed.

“Become like what?”

“Your eyes, boy. They’re hard as steel and as cold as ice. Those aren’t any eyes I’ve seen in any 18 year old.”

“Well, most 18 year olds haven’t lived and seen what I have.” John replied. He remembered his dead friend, his missing father, the mutilated bodies of the couple they had met on the side of the road, and the baby. The images of the trail of bodies in his wake as he struggled to stay alive kept him awake with nightmares on most nights. He would not be alone. Jacob cried himself to sleep, mostly because he mourned the death of his father and his comfortable life. But it was also in part because he wanted to reaffirm that his mother was really there-that her warm embrace wasn’t going to suddenly vanish in a puff of smoke.

“Yeah. I reckon not many have.” James agreed. He looked out the window to make sure the other three cars were following them. Indeed, they were close on their tail.

As they were leaving the base of the new group, each and every person gave John a hug and thanked him. He had to struggle not to gag at their smell, which reeked of urine, sweat, and feces. Their hairs were matted to their head, dirtied by countless nights sleeping and surviving in a basement parking lot.

The eight John’s group had met were relatively cleaner. James had told them that they washed up to lessen the smell, which in excess attracts infected from hundreds of meters away.

Just as they were leaving the parking lot, John spotted an Escalade parked in a corner just outside. He had hopped out and quick looked around for keys. He found that there was an infected inside the driver’s seat.

He carefully opened the door and jumped back. As the infected man slumped and dropped out of the seat, falling to the ground, John shot him in the head before he could get up. John checked the fuel, and seeing it was full, he thanked God above for the blessing that was uniformity.

Rick drove the new Escalade and they went on their way.

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As the four cars drove in front the warehouse, John got out of the car with the others and waited until the group were assembled in front of him. John’s original group had come out of the warehouse and looked at the new arrivals warily.

“Welcome to the Warehouse, ladies and gentlemen.” John spoke. He waited for the chattering to calm down.

“When are we going inside?” One of them asked.

“In a moment. First we need to lay some ground rules to maintain order.” John said. Everyone quieted down. This was serious business and they paid close attention to make sure that they were not walking into some unfair deal or trap.

“In this place, we need to establish order. Previously, in both our group and the society before, we used a system of democracy to rule. Now, however, is a crucial time where survival is the most important, and those who don’t contribute are hurting and endangering the lives of everyone else. Even the children.” John said. The parents held their kids tighter.

“Although I am young, among us all, my friends and I have had the most experience dealing with the infected. I still believe in having voices heard so we will have one of your group join us in the decision making process.” John said. There was an outcry at his proposal. By only allowing one representative from their group while maintaining power and position in the original group, they would be effectively become subservient to them.

“Kid, your group is just a bunch of brats and two actual adults. Bring those two out here so we can discuss the matter with actual adults.” One of the men sauntered up, a hint of annoyance on his face and in his voice.

John took out his gun and shot it at the man’s foot, missing it by a few inches. The man hurried back and the entire group became very tense, poised to fight for their lives.

“Are you stupid?” John asked. He walked up to the man who raised the question.

“You little shit. Who the fuck do you think you are!”

“I think I’m the only person that’s standing in the way between you and a city full of infected. I think I’m the only one with actual experience dealing with them and surviving here.” He said. “Tell me. How many infected have you killed.” John asked. The man remained silent. James walked up trying to diffuse the situation. “Look, he didn’t mean any harm. We can talk this out, yeah?”

“Yes. We can. But first tell me. How many have you all killed?” John asked the entire group. They remained silent. They had survived mainly by hiding and sneaking around, running at the first sight of any infected.

“None. They won’t go down by bullets.”

“Yeah, that’s bullshit. A bullet to the head will knock them dead as a doorbell.” John replied coolly.

“Now I get it. I’m young and in the previous world, you were accustomed to-” John was interrupted by the same man.

“What previous world? This is still the same.”

“You really are dense. Or you’re just denying it.” John walked up to the man. “There are infected roaming the city streets in the thousands, maybe the millions, ripping the flesh off of their neighbors and children. Do you really think this is the same fucking world?” John asked. “Do your kids still go to school? Can you call the police? Can you even order a goddamn pizza, for crying out loud! What in God’s name do you think this is ANYTHING like what our lives were like before?” The man was quiet. He was fuming, angry at the little teenager who dared speak to him like that. The man suddenly took out a pistol and aimed it at John. If words wouldn’t work with the kid, it would have to be by force. Just when he took out his gun, a hand grabbed out and twisted his arm behind his back, pushing him to the ground. Sophia had tackled and disarmed him in one motion. She was standing behind the group to watch out for any movement like what had just happened. Screams erupted in the group.

“Are you crazy? If you are so slow to adapt to the current paradigm, thinking I’m still a little kid that doesn’t know left from right, why would you even think about shooting me?” John asked. He was annoyed immensely.

“James, is this man really with you?” John asked. His mentality seemed different than the others.

“He joined us a few days ago.”

“Well, I really can’t deal with bullshit. Let’s put it out there, now. Either you work with us, work against us, or want to get out of our way.” There are only three states of being. “If he can’t do what’s necessary to secure the safety of the entire group, then there’s no need to have him here. He’ll constantly get in our way, keeping us from doing what is best for the group and probably convince enough people to his side, causing a falling out. If we aren’t united together, then we’ll fall apart and probably get ourselves killed. This man is way too slow on the uptake and will definitely hinder us in the future unless he changes his act.”

John’s mom walked up behind him, touching his shoulder. “John, calm down honey. He’s just out of his mind because of everything that’s going on. Why don’t you simply let him cool down and talk to him separately?” John nodded and went to James.

“Look, I don’t like dealing with people because of this. That’s why I hesitated to bring your group in. At this point, it’s really not about who has power, and who’s in charge, no matter the age. As long as we can get through it alive, that’s all that matters. Don’t you agree.” John asked calmly. James had a cold sweat going down his back. This teen seemed nice to his allies but was cold and heartless to his enemies. He didn’t want to become his enemy. There was simply no benefit. The other side had better weapons, experience, and seemed a lot keener to changing situations and making split second decisions. James and the others were simply office workers or labourers. They were more used to getting orders than making them. Although they’ve managed to stay alive, they’ve gotten through by the skin of their teeth.

“We’ll follow your suggestions but I get to have a say. Is that okay with you?” James asked.

“Perfect. If anyone else wants to voice a suggestion on plans, you’re free to make them, but we’ve got to follow order around here, or else we’re no better than the world outside. Is that okay with everyone?” John asked the group. They nodded and accepted it. After some few negotiations on meals, duties and other small orders of business, John decided that they had become satisfied with the current situation and would not try to assert themselves as long as they were met with their basic needs.

“Alright then. David, open the gates.” John yelled to David who was inside. David opened the doors and the group walked in, amazed at the vast amount of food. “Let me try this a second time.” John said, walking to the front. He turned around and opened his arms to them.

“Welcome to the Warehouse!”