Head Full of Ghosts

Chapter 16 - Can't Silence the Thunder

"You sure you're ready for this, Eli?"

Eli took Joe's offered hand as the older man helped him down from the back of the van. Almost as soon as his feet hit the ground he stretched, twisting his head to pop his neck, and then gave a single, quick nod.

"Well, if I'm not now then I'll never be," he replied.

Joe nodded back. "Fair enough." He turned and looked at the rest of the group. "All right, you all know what to do. In and out. No fuss, no muss. Let's get this done."

They all broke off into pairs and headed out in different directions. Eli went with Joe to a nearby garden store. The door was locked, but Joe was prepared for that. He broke out some tools, and within moments he had removed the lock and the door swung open.

"You seem like you've had some practice at that," Eli commented as they moved into the store.

Joe's eyes went wide. He smiled awkwardly while his cheeks went a little red, and he scratched the back of his head with one hand. "Uh, well, when you're fighting for survival you learn some skills you never thought you would. We had to break into a lot of places while running from the zombies, so we've tried a lot of different things. That one seemed to get the best results."

"Oh, I see," replied Eli as they moved about the store, gathering up supplies. "So it's not just some super secret technique Cass taught you all, then?"

"What? No!" Joe paused in what he was doing and stared open-mouthed at Eli for a long moment. "Truth be told, I'm not sure Cass was ever too comfortable with us doing it. But needs must as the devil drives, or whatever. Why'd you think that?"

Eli shrugged. "I don't know. Guess I still don't trust him. I don't trust their secrecy. All the things they could still be hiding from us. They knew about vampires. Him and Gabriel, their whole order, I mean. They knew and they told no one, even after the outbreak. What else are they not telling us?"

By this point both had filled their bags with the wanted supplies and were turning to leave. Joe stopped Eli, though, a serious expression on his face.

"Look, Eli. Some people keep secrets to hurt others. Some keep secrets to help others. Both may be doing it for the wrong reasons, but that's why when they get the chance to tell you and don't, it doesn't mean they're betraying you. Holding in secrets for things that are important is something bigger than individuals. The person always has the chance to reassess and change their minds, and you can choose to judge them for that if you want, but try to remember that they're struggling with doing what they think best."

Eli opened his mouth to respond but the crackle of Joe's radio cut him off.

"Oh my God, oh my God! They're here! Oh my God!" The voice over the radio was rising in pitch with a shrill panic.

Eli and Joe froze, meeting each other's gaze until the voice finally took a break. Joe snatched the radio from his belt and brought it up to his lips. "Talk to me, James. What's happening out there?"

"Oh God, it's just like Eli said. There's so many of them. Oh, dear God. They really do look like a wave."

Joe burst out of the store and headed back for the van, Eli hot on his heels. Several of the others joined them as they rounded the corner, and sure enough, there in the distance, was a giant mass of zombies marching toward them.

James came running back towards them, as the mass would be on the van in moments, blocking any chance of escape by that means.

"Okay, okay, nobody panic!" Joe shouted. "We were prepared for this. Remember the plan. Split up, divide their attention. Get to high ground, somewhere they can't follow. We'll regroup at the hospital."