Chatter

Chapter 12

The clouds of dust drew nearer. Finally after a minute the objects became clear. Two jeeps filled with men were coming for the supply drop. As they came closer, Cade and the others could see the men were well armed.

"Everyone take cover where you can," yelled Vick.

Vick and Cade stayed by the supplies to talk with the men, while the others scurried to the ditch or behind the camper.

The jeeps stopped about 100 feet from the parachute drop. The men exited and raised their weapons to Cade and Vick.

"This is our land and our supply drop," said one of the men.

Cade looked to the men and answered, "No, we just got here. We were passing through and saw the parachute. All we have done is read the notes inside the container."

"Notes?" said the man. "Lemme see these notes."

Vick handed over the English note and the man read through it. "Looks like we gotta get out of here don't it." He eyeballed the camper. "I think for your trespassing we will take your camper truck."

"Not gonna happen," said Vick as he raised his gun as Cade did.

The lead man smiled, "You forgot about the men behind you."

The sounds of guns behind cocked came from behind the group in some trees. Of course a pack like this traveled in groups. Some of them were probably military trained. One of the men behind had Keiko, gun pointed at her head.

"Drop your weapons or I will make an example of that one," said the leader.

The group came out of hiding and stood beside Vick and Cade. All of them dropped their weapons into a pile. This first defeat left a bad taste in all of their mouths.

"We did as you asked, now let her go," screamed Cade.

"Ah, she must be your sweetheart." He looked around at the supplies and said, "Load up our jeeps with the supplies and we might spare you." He pointed to Keiko, "Any kind of trick and she dies before your eyes."

Dwayne, Trina, and the others began loading the supplies for the men. Cade kept his eyes on the man who held Keiko. There weren't enough guns to take them on and the bandits seemed better trained or bluffed well.

The supplies were loaded in no time.

"This world as we know it has changed. A few days ago, I was a foreman at a lumber mill. Now we fight for our very lives against monsters that used to be friends and family. What I am trying to tell you is, basically, trust no one," said the leader. 

With that he raised his pistol, aimed it, and fired. The bullet ripped through Keiko's skull, losing half of her face and head. Her lifeless body dropped to the ground in a heap.

"NOOOOOOO," screamed Cade. He raced over to her body and knelt down holding her. Tears streamed down his face as he laid her back down. "Foreman, I will kill you. You can leave now, but we will catch you. And I will kill you; kill you slowly as you beg for mercy I swear."

The foreman chuckled and kicked Cade square in the face, knocking him unconscious. The men gathered the little bit of supplies laying about and drove off.

Cade awoke to sobbing noises. The group was huddled around him, all except Vick. He was digging a hole by the tree line for Keiko. 

"Was I dreaming?"

"I'm afraid not. They killed her and drove off with everything," said Autumn.

"We are so sorry Cade," said Trina. "None of us knew what to do."

"It isn't your fault guys, none of us were ready for this."

He got to his feet slowly and walked over to Vick. The man dug with speed and emotion. His eyes were watery and he kept himself hunched so no one could see. 

"Let me take over," said Cade. "I owe it to her, a nice burial.

The men took turns digging through the day until the hole was almost six feet deep. "I think that will do it," commented Vick.

"Ok."

The day evolved into evening as the group surrounded the burial spot. Everyone was waiting for the others to speak first. Finally Cade stepped to the front of the grave and began.

"Like the rest of you, I only knew Keiko for a few short days. We were supposed to have dinner after the plane landed. You all know how that ended. We had begun getting close, even made love once." His eyes began to leak down his cheeks. "I pictured a future with this woman. Stupid huh? In a world like we live in now, the future is days, not years for most of us unless we can reach Canada." Cade wiped the tears, "I cannot say I loved her, but I think I would have if things had gone a different way in the world. All I can promise you Keiko is that I will find that man and end him. He took one of our own from us for some stupid supplies. Rest in peace Keiko, I will miss you."

The other threw daisy's from the meadow into the grave and said their silent goodbyes. Finally Vick and Cade again shared the duty of filling in the hole. It seemed easier to fill it in than dig it, and before long Keiko was resting inside the earth.

"Everyone let's sleep here tonight. But tomorrow, we get back on the road. I promise you all we will get to Canada, and if the lord above exists, we will run into the foreman and his men on the way."

Cade stood guard through the night. He couldn't sleep anyway and didn't need any. Fury and thoughts of vengeance fueled his body. He sat upon the roof of the camper looking at the stars hoping one of them was Keiko looking down on him and the others.

If you enjoyed this chapter please vote and comment. If you didn't, tell me what I can improve. Thanks!*

The road to Canada heats up from here on! Will they find the foreman? Will they reach safety? Will they encounter more undead?