Murphy's P.O.V
"Good morning. Good morning, folks. All right, everyone listen up. Now, what I want you to do is take a paper and pen and follow us on this chalkboard. All right? Tell us what you used to do pre-Apocalypse. Whatever you're good at. Anything from garbage collector to sewing." said Wesson talking to the recruits as I stand in my room watching.
"You can just walk through those Zs?"
"Yes. Once vaccinated, they are no longer attracted to you."
"Are there any side effects?"
"Yes, but it's worth it."
"Mr. Murphy? May I come up?" I heard Will ask.
"Come in. How's the recruiting coming?"
"Got about a dozen today. Word is spreading, but slowly. Not like the Internet days. Sound Truck should start bringing them in. Simms just brought in another half dozen Zs for the moat."
"Perfect. It's good to start out slow. Gives us time to plan. New world needs everybody. Scientists. Cooks. I can't do everything. Let's get them inoculated." I said.
"I'll get started right away." I looked back out the window and watched the new recruits.
"Can you choose whether to be bitten or get the vaccine?"
"Mr. Murphy is no longer giving oral inoculations anymore. Okay? Vaccines only now. You'll leave your weapons just past the zombie moat. Weapons will be returned to you at Mr. Murphy's choosing. It's for your own protection. Look. If Mr. Murphy's terms are not acceptable, you're free to move on."
"Is that him?" Someone asked. They all looked up at me and started to clap. I did a little wave and continued to watch.
"Okay, folks. Listen up. Auerback, Raphael, Graham, Anderson. Come with me. DeLaGarza, Woods, and Woods Jr. Be back out for you next. All right, now each of you will receive a dose of vaccine. The inoculator will cut a small incision in your upper arm and apply the vaccine. Now you will experience some nausea. Some worse than others. So if you need to vomit, there will be a place to do so. Weapons there. Once the nausea passes, proceed to the tent for supplies and instructions."
"Do we need to sign anything?"
"No, that won't be necessary. The vaccine takes care of all that. You'll be happy to do the right thing." I walked down to where they were giving vaccines to see how useful the new recruits are.
What do we have?" I asked.
"Uh, farmer, electrician, banker, and EMT."
"Anderson?"
"That's me. Upcycler/Drill Sergeant. Can make anything out of nothin'."
"We've got work for you." I said as she moved forward.
"Graham? Investment banker. Graham? I'm surprised they didn't kill you before the Apocalypse. You'll be on latrine duty."
"What?"
"We don't have much need for bankers, Mr. Graham. But we do have latrines."
"Mr. Murphy, can I get you a chair?"
"Don't mind me."
"You're the Murphy?" A girl asked.
"Do not address Mr. Murphy unless he addresses you." said Will as he held the girl back.
"That's really not necessary."
"With your permission, sir, we need to establish some protocols."
Warren P.O.V
We were driving along the road when we saw someone pushing a cart. I looked back for a sec and slammed on my brakes. I quickly got out and smiled.
"Steven Beck. Where the hell have you been? We've been looking all over for you" I said hugging him.
"What happened to me? What happened to you?" He asked.
"Ah, you didn't see the horde of spider zombies? Spider zombies?" Addy asked.
"Damn. No."
"They were covered in black widows, man. Black widow spiders crawling with them."
"Okay, so what happened to you?" I asked.
"Well, have you ever seen the movie, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest? Add zombies, a black Elvis, and mix well. It's a long story. But the best part is I found 10K."
"What? 10K!"
I looked back and saw that Autumn was still asleep in the back. "Ok put him in the trunk I don't want Autumn seeing him till we know he's ok." I looked back at her and woke her up. "Hey can you do us a favor and scout the road up ahead in case there is anything blocking it."
"Yeah, sure." She said as she grabbed her gun and started to walk down the road.
Murphy's P.O.V
I was looking at the picture that Autumn took of us and smiled. "These paint swatches are all great. Thank you for doing this. I want it to be just perfect." I said looking at Lucy's room and Autumn's next to it.
"Of course. How old is your daughter?" asked Hope.
"Let's see, she would be about one now."
"Just about to walk."
"Really?"
"You'll still need a crib. I'm sure there's one out there somewhere. Maybe some of the other ladies and I will put together a baby shower for you."
"That would be amazing."
"It's the least we can do."
"You and Will have been so helpful."
"We would do anything for you." I looked at the paint swatches on the wall and determined the color.
"Lets do Lavender for Lucy and Violet for Autumn's room." I looked at the window and noticed that The Man was there getting a vaccine.
Autumn's P.O.V
I was walking back to the vehicles after looking out ahead. I don't understand why we couldn't just drive ourselves but oh well. When I saw the truck, I noticed everyone was surrounding the trunk. "Didn't find anything." I yelled as I got closer. They all looked back at me and moved aside. When the moved aside, I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Thomas?" He looked up and I started to sprint towards him with tears in my eyes. He started to run too and I ran up and jumped into a hug and started to cry. "Your alive."
"I told you I would find you." I couldn't stop smiling because I had my brother back and nothing else mattered anymore.
"All right, we got a lot of catching up to do. But first, you told Doc that Murphy's in Spokane?" asked Warren.
"Yeah. He's different. He's smarter. Crazier. He's got some kinda big plan, and he's not alone. He bites people, controls them. It's weird."
"How? Well, everybody likes him. That's f'ed up. Drink this, kid. You look dehydrated."
"Is Doctor Merch still alive?" I asked.
"Murphy bit her. Twice."
"Son of a bitch. So with these bites, he controls her?" asked Warren.
"Yeah. Doctor Merch is making him a blend vaccine so he can control people without biting them."
"You sure we need this guy alive?" asked Warren to Sun.
"You can't kill him."
"Let's go. We outta gas so we are back on foot."
"Are we friends with Escorpion now?" 10k asked.
"Dude went full Apocalypse, man. Had one of them come to Jesus moments. Goes by Hector now." said Doc.
"What about Vasquez?"
"Uh, man, haven't seen him since California. Probably ran himself into a horde of Zs. Suicide by zombie."
"Who's she?"
"Oh, when you and Murphy were on the boat, some Asian folks paid us a visit." I said.
"I don't think we should keep that guy alive if he's making formulas."
10k went off with Doc and we rested near a vehicle so I decided to grab the battery from it and work on my radio from the top of the car to get a better signal.
"There you are. 10K. What do you know about this? These had to come from my airdrop, but what's inside them? They should be empty." asked Sun.
"I dunno what's in them. Doctor Merch gave them to me to keep them safe." He said.
"Really?"
"I dunno. Umm. Well she was giving Murphy some booster shots to keep him from turning more zombie."
"Maybe that's what's in them. Maybe they're for Murphy. Maybe it's the original vaccine. Small doses might act as a booster shot of some kind. Slow down his deterioration. Or it might also be whatever cocktail of Murphy blood they're giving the blends."
I was still working on the radio when Warren came over. "Any luck?"
"I got it fired up, but it's awfully quiet out there. Numbers station. Some pre-recorded Russian. But no CZ."
"Keep trying. It would be nice to know if there's any world left to save."
We started to hear something on a loudspeaker that sounded like Murphy. Hector gave me his binoculars and I looked in them to see a truck with Murphy's face on it about a mile out.
"Fear no more. Guaranteed. There is a way. Fear no more." It kept repeating.
"Guys it coming from a truck about a mile North." I said as I grabbed my radio and 10k helped me down.
"Murphy is advertising?" asked Doc.
"I told you. He's insane. If he has thousands of doses of vaccine, all he needs are live bodies." said 10k.
"Does this thing run?" Asked Warren as I shut off the annoying message.
"Yes, ma'am." said Doc.
Murphy's P.O.V
I was looking at the layout of the city as Will and a couple of others explained to me how we can get electricity again.
"If we can get the intakes to the turbines clear of the Zs, then one or more of these turbines might still turn. We managed to clear out the control room. Most of it is still operational. Wires are down in a lot of places. But, but we're good to go here in town. Once we get the power back on, we can electrify the fence and use the Zs for other purposes."
"First power. And then industry. And then civilization. But make no mistake about it. There are people out there that won't want to join us. Start a basic training program. We'll need to be ready." I said to Anderson.
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. Murphy? The new recruit you wanted to see is here."
"Perfect. You have your instructions. Get me power." I said as they left.
"This is Emile Hunter. Private security."
"Oh, I know the man. We go way back. Did you think I wouldn't notice you? I must admit, I am pretty hard to miss." He said.
"Seize him. He's a threat. Obey me."
"Mr. Murphy, want me to deal with this?" said Aaron. I heard a ball start to bounce towards me and saw Emma chasing it. I picked it up and gave it to her. "Here you go, honey. Go play." She ran off and went to go play when I looked back at the Man. "Come on. Remove your jacket." I looked at his arm and saw there was indeed a cut from where the vaccine was on his arm.
"So, am I on your list?" I asked.
"I don't work for those people anymore. I'm just a private citizen who wants to help. And judging by these fools, you could use a man with my very particular set of skills. You don't believe me. What can I do to prove myself? Test me."
"All right. I need brains. Fresh brains. For my research." I said. He pulled a knife and cut the top of the scalp of one of my guys and showed me the brain. "Well, you may prove useful after all. Why are you here?"
"When we last met, I was working for some very powerful people from a place called Zona. They had a cure on Zona. A vaccine that was developed by an infected scientist. Their messiah. Much like yourself. But now their immunity is failing, and their messiah is dying. You, Mr.
Murphy, are humanity's last hope. So you understand how serious I am." The Man said as he grabbed the brain.
"What I understand, there is no alternative. You've proven your skill. Now prove your loyalty. Take a bite." I said as he held the brain.
"But that's for you."
"I insist."
"If you insist." He said as he started to take a bite from it. "Mmmm."
"Everything all right, Mr. Murphy?" Someone yelled.
"Fine. We're fine." I said as I went to close the door. I turned back and saw that the brain was gone.
"You ate all of them?"
"Sorry. Apologies, sir. I just couldn't help myself. Mmmm."
"I understand. It's in our nature. Can you get me more?"
"Yes. Yes. Let's keep this between you and me."
"Discretion is one of my skills." One of the guards came inside after he left.
"What happened, sir?"
"Clean this up. Obey my commands." I said.
"I'll have this cleaned up right away."
"Hang on. You're certain the new recruit got the inoculation, yes?" I asked.
"Cut the x myself. Puked his brains out."
Autumn's P.O.V
The van had red hand symbols everywhere and it was getting annoying.
"This Escorpion is starting to piss me off." said Hector.
"Who the hell are these guys?" Addy asked when we saw the dead bodies on the side.
"This man was shot in the heart, not the head. But he didn't turn." said Sun.
"He's a blend. Look at the other side of his face." 10k said as we saw a bite mark on his cheek.
"So when blends die, they don't turn." I asked.
"Yeah. And zombies ignore you like you're one of them. Maybe Murphy's onto something. He's just trying to help people."
"Huh?"
"Become blends. There's more too. He's planning some kind of expedition." said 10k.
"An expedition to where?"
"Springfield, Illinois." I looked up.
"Springfield? We've been to Springfield. What's in Springfield?"
"Yeah, besides crazy Lincoln zombies?" asked Doc.
"Lucy." I said.
"Lucy. Who's Lucy?" asked Sun.
"Murphy's daughter." said Addy.
"Murphy has a child? Do you know what this means? She could have inherited his immunity. We got to get to Lucy before Murphy does."
"Let's get some grub and make a plan." said Doc.
Murphy's P.O.V
"Looks like dinner's ready." I said as everyone sat down at the table.
I never thought I'd eat steak without fear of the virus.
Steak is only the beginning.
Beginning of a future without fear.
Look at everything we've accomplished already.
A new home.
Zombie moat is filling up.
Vaccinations are happening.
And soon, thanks to the hard work of all of you, we'll have the power back up.
I'd like to propose a toast.
To the man that took away our fears and gave us back our lives To the Murphy.
(all) To the Murphy.
Eat.
Eat.
"None for me right now, thanks. I'll have something later."
Autumn's P.O.V
"Supper. Gourmet stir fry. Shazam." said Doc as he passed around the crickets that he cooked on a hubcap. "You know, crickets are 121 calories. All protein."
"Remember when we could eat meat? I used to barbecue all the time with my dad." I said.
"Carne asada, pico de gallo." said Hector.
"You know, if you close your eyes, it tastes just like crickets. Cricket de gallo." said Doc. As we finished eating, we went back to the truck and looked at a map.
"Okay. So the way I see it, we got to split up." said Warren.
"Oh, man. I hate when we split up." said Doc.
"I get it. But we've got to stop Murphy and his blend army before they get too strong. And we got to find Lucy before the rest of the world finds out about her. All right?"
"Let's hit it." I said.
"Autumn you were there when he gave her away. Do you know where she is?"
"Yes. All right. Doc,Addy, and Autumn you guys go after Lucy. The rest of us will continue on to Spokane, and we'll do whatever we can to stop Murphy."
"And when we find Lucy?"
"Keep her safe. Contact us by radio."
"We'll monitor the HAM frequencies for you." said Sun.
"What are we gonna do when we get to Spokane?" asked Doc.
"We're gonna give him a good old fashioned spanking." said Warren. I smiled and went over to 10k.
"I thought I lost you forever and now that I know you alive, we have to split up again." I said.
"I know but you are the only one that knows where Lucy is and hopefully the people who kept her safe will recognize you. You stay safe ok. Promise."
"I promise." I said holding up my pinky. We latched pinkies and smiled.
"10K, why don't you help me make sure that fire's out." Doc yelled as 10k went over to help him. I went over to the truck and saw it still had a CB radio connected to it. Doc and Addy came back over and started the truck. I looked over at 10k and the rest of them and I held up my pinky to 10k as we drove off.
Murphy's P.O.V
"Are you sure I can't you get anything? Anything at all?" asked Hope as they were cleaning the table.
"I'm fine, thank you." I all of the sudden smelled the sweet smell of the brain and saw The Man. "Go now. You can clean this later." I said to everyone as they left. "Bring it to me. Where did you get Nevermind. I don't wanna know." I said as I started to dig in. "Whoa. Slow down, Murphy. Chew your food."
"Feeling better?"
" Much. Pass the mustard, will you?" I asked. The Man then put a knife to my throat.
"You know why I'm here, don't you?"
"This isn't about that stupid list of yours, is it? What are you gonna do?"
"You and I are gonna take a little walk."
Autumn's P.O.V
I was working on the radio when I heard a girl singing on the radio.
"Is that Citizen Z?" Addy asked.
"Only if he had a sex change." Doc said.
"Operation Bite Mark. Need a spark. Did you carry on? Need to hear your call." I grabbed the mic and started to talk in it.
"Citizen Z. It's Autumn Shaw. Citizen Z? It's Autumn Shaw. Operation Bite Mark. Come in, Citizen Z."
"I'm Kaya, on the wire. Can't get by ya. Whya cry-ya. Ain't a liya. M-M-Mercy is my business. And my business is on fire. Still alive at the Northern Light. We had a fright, but we all right. We okay. We hold tight. Every day, day by day. Every day, day by day.
Murphy's P.O.V
"Get in the car."
"No. This is my home now."
"I thought you might say that. So I brought a little insurance along. Your daughter."
"Lucy?" I said running around the door but when he opened it, it was Will and Hope's daughter. "That's not my daughter. You idiot." I said as he cocked his gun. "How were you able to avoid my control after you were vaccinated?" I asked as my followers came up behind him and grabbed him. Emma ran out of the car and ran towards her dad. They put him in handcuffs and brought his upstairs and handcuffed him to the pipe.
"Why don't you re-vaccinate him or bite him?"
"No! He doesn't deserve to be a blend."
"Then let me kill him for you. The moat Zs are hungry."
"I want answers first. I want to know who exactly at Zona you are working for. I want a name! I asked you a question. I asked you a question." I said smacking him. "Answer me! I want a name! You will give me a name."
"I can't give you a name! If you come with me to Zona, you'll be treated with extraordinary favor. You'll have more wealth and power than you could possibly imagine." He said.
"Mr. Murphy! Mr. Murphy! Mr. Murphy! Just got word. The power's up. They're ready to flip the switch." I looked back at the Man.
"You will answer me. Or I will have your brains for my dinner. All right! Everyone! Up to the tower! This is what we have been waiting for!" I said as we head upstairs to the top of the building.
"He's ready. Will said to send up a flare. When he sees it, he's gonna light up your world like a candle."
"All right. This is it. The dawn of a new era. Behold, a new world order!" I yelled as I shot the flare and watch all the lights light up. I smiled and looked at it for a while before going downstairs to find that the Man was gone and he left his hand behind.
