Dying Days 5 Read online

  "We need to get out of here," John said.

  "Not yet. I need to kill him or he'll just follow us," Darlene said.

  "I say we go before he returns."

  Darlene shook her head. There was so much catching up she needed to do with John, and find out where her baby was, but first she needed to handle this. "He'll be able to track us. He can read your mind."

  John grinned. "Actually... he can't."

  Chapter Twenty One

  There was another knock at the door.

  Jeff jumped up off the recliner with a start, catching the pistol before it hit the floor. It had fallen into his lap when he fell asleep. He was amazed his prisoners hadn't tried to get loose and overpower him. Maybe his threats had been good enough.

  Vee was the only one that looked away, staring at Jeff.

  Jeff shook his head. "This is unreal. Everyone I hate will wander over tonight. What are the odds? I'm running out of enemies."

  Vee closed her eyes.

  "I'm running out of bullets," Jeff said. He looked at Vee, tied up and defenseless. "I need to save one for you before I split, though."

  When Vee didn't react, Jeff kicked her in the side and bent down. "Make a fucking sound and I will bring the pain. I won't kill you. I'll bleed you out and watch the zombies rip you apart. Is that what you want?"

  The knocking came again, more insistent.

  Jeff turned and looked at the cute couple, spooning on the floor next to Vee. They were both awake now. "That goes for you two as well. Shut the fuck up. One sound and I start shooting."

  He was going to really enjoy a few hours with Taylor while her new boyfriend watched. Hours and hours of sadistic fun, as soon as he got rid of the idiot banging on his door. And tried not to fall asleep. The three of them were up to something, and he was going to find out what. A few kicks and threats should do the trick.

  Jeff made sure he had rounds in his weapon and went to the door, doing the same routine that worked for when Claude had visited. He looked back to make sure the trio and Claude's body couldn't be seen from the door, even if it was opened wide. He'd need to dispose of the corpse before it started to stink, though.

  There was another bang on the door, this time long and hard.

  "Hold your horses," Jeff yelled. He put his hand holding the gun behind the door and opened it slightly.

  "Yeah?" Jeff didn't recognize the guy standing there, a young dude who looked nervous.

  "Jeff, I need you to step outside so we can talk."

  "Don't you think it's a little late at night or too early in the morning or whatever fucking time it is right now to be doing this?" Now Jeff was really annoyed. Who was this asshole?

  The guy took a step back and showed his empty hands. "I need you to come outside, please."

  Jeff smiled. "Man, if I banged your girlfriend, I'm sorry. Or, more than likely, your mom. My bad and I hope you can forgive me. Now fuck off."

  There was movement next to the door and Jeff frowned when he saw the muzzle of the rifle come into view.

  "What's going on?" Jeff asked, about to pull out his pistol and fire.

  Three men stepped out, weapons drawn.

  "Jeff, I won't ask you again. These men would love to pull the trigger and shoot you to Hell. Put down your weapon and come out peacefully. The Lich Lord would like to talk to you," the young guy said.

  "What if I'm busy? Can you tell The Lich Lord I'll be over in an hour? I have dishes to do. I think I just heard the dryer buzzer sound. I'm right in the middle of a crossword puzzle," Jeff said.

  The guy didn't look as nervous with so many guns on his side. "Would you like me to count to three before they shoot you dead?"

  "What's your name, punk?"

  The guy shook his head. "That doesn't matter."

  "Oh, it definitely matters to me." Jeff was going to add this little bastard to the top of his death list. He'd be tossed out back with the rest of the trash: Lola, Juan and Claude.

  Jeff bent down slowly and put the gun on the floor. He locked the door and stepped outside, closing it behind him. He was glad the idiots inside hadn't tried to make a sound. Jeff was quite impressed with himself. He'd scared the shit out of them so much they didn't even bother to get rescued.

  "Am I under arrest?" Jeff asked, smirking. He didn't know what was going on and he didn't like it, but he wouldn't give these four assholes the satisfaction of knowing he was bothered.

  "Not at all. The Lich Lord asked to see you right now."

  "Then why all the firepower?" Jeff asked.

  "We have our orders. Please come with us," the guy said.

  Jeff followed along, two of the men as his rear guard. He had a sinking feeling he'd been caught and The Lich Lord was not going to be too happy with what he'd been doing.

  They hadn't frisked him and Jeff had two knives and a pistol hidden on his person. If he acted casual maybe they'd forget.

  "Nice night tonight, eh?" Jeff wasn't surprised when no one answered him. He was talking for his own amusement now, and to keep from over-thinking the situation and getting nervous. He decided he'd babble about stupid shit all the way down Main Street and not worry about The Lich Lord until he saw the bastard.

  * * * * *

  As soon as they knew Jeff was gone, they got up and grabbed the nearest weapons lying around.

  "Let's get out of here before he comes back," Scotty said.

  "No way. I'm going to kill him as soon as he walks through the door," Vee said. She picked up the shotgun and made sure it was loaded.

  "This is insane. We could be safe," Scotty said.

  Vee shook her head. "Where would we ever be safe? You think he'll come back, see we've escaped, and be done with us? He'll hunt the three of us like dogs. We'll never be safe as long as he is alive." She closed her eyes. "The things this sick bastard has done to me... to Lola... he's killed so many good people in the last twenty-four hours. He needs to be punished."

  "She's right," Taylor said.

  Vee opened her eyes and nodded. "You can run and try to hide if you want. I need to finish this or I'll never be able to sleep."

  Jeff had fallen asleep only minutes before the knock at the door, but it was long enough for Scotty to have finally freed his hands. He was slowly working on Taylor's bonds when they were interrupted and Jeff woke.

  Luckily, Jeff was too preoccupied with the intrusion and didn't notice the rope balled in Scotty's hands instead of around his wrists.

  Taylor went to the front door and picked up the gun Jeff had left, making sure it was loaded. "I want to kill him with it. The same gun he shot Claude with."

  "I just want Jeff dead," Vee said.

  "Maybe we need to capture Jeff. Let The Lich Lord punish him," Scotty said.

  "Maybe we should let Jeff go. Pack him a lunch and forgive his sins," Vee said sarcastically. There was no way he was getting out of this building alive. Jeff had earned a bullet or three, and Vee wanted to shoot the one that killed him.

  "All I'm saying is, we should think about it before he returns," Scotty said. "If he had to go before The Lich Lord, he's probably not coming back."

  Vee didn't want to hear it. "He'll be back and I'll kill his sorry ass."

  Taylor sat up on the bar and pulled a rifle up with her. "He'll be back and we need to shoot as soon as the door opens."

  "This is insane," Scotty said. "I think we need to report what he's done and let The Lich Lord carry out justice. We aren't the law."

  "How long have you been here, Scotty?" Vee asked.

  "Not long. What does it matter?"

  "The Lich Lord is busy doing the big things for the survivors. I'm in charge of the other stuff. He can run around the world and find good people for us to help while I have to guard against the bad people trying to get inside and destroy what we've grown. I handle the jobs and security and even what crops we're going to plant. The Lich Lord wants none of that on his plate because he just doesn't care. You know why? Because he put me in charge of the m
undane stuff," Vee said.

  "I don't believe taking another person's life is really categorized as a mundane task," Scotty said.

  "It is in this world," Taylor said. "I help the old and the sick every day. That's my job and my purpose. Vee's purpose is to help all of us survive. What does Jeff bring to the table? Nothing. Only misery and hate. He needs to be eliminated."

  "If I thought for a second The Lich Lord would have a problem with us doing this, I wouldn't do it. And I will do the deed and take sole responsibility for it, too. His blood will be on my hands. Gladly."

  Chapter Twenty Two

  The Lich Lord walked back into the arena with his hands up, watching Darlene. "Don't shoot me just yet, please. I brought you a gift of sorts. I think we all need to talk and clear the air."

  "You gotta be kidding," Jeff said as he walked in. He looked at Darlene and John and shook his head. "I thought you were both dead already."

  Darlene tried to remain calm. She ignored Jeff for the moment. "We're leaving."

  "Just like that? You're going to walk out and be gone?" The Lich Lord asked. "I thought you had unfinished business."

  "There is something I need to do," Darlene said. She raised the Desert Eagle and aimed at The Lich Lord. She could still kill him, right? She knew he wasn't invincible. He might not have blood running through his veins and didn't need to breathe or eat, but his skin wasn't made of steel. His brain was what mattered, and one good shot through an eye would stop him cold.

  Jeff laughed. "You got me out of bed so I could see her kill you? Thanks."

  "Shut up, asshole," John said.

  Jeff raised his hands. "Hey, I'm on your side, buddy. I'm not the zombie. I want love and peace and all that shit."

  The Lich Lord didn't flinch. He raised a finger.

  "What does that mean?" Jeff asked, taking a couple of steps towards Darlene.

  She swung the gun around and pointed it at Jeff. "I would take three steps back right now, fucker."

  Jeff smiled and walked backwards, looking at John. "She's got quite the mouth on her, buddy. You let her suck your dick with that mouth?"

  "Please shoot him in the head," John said.

  "All in good time." Darlene stepped to her right so she had both Jeff and The Lich Lord at better angles. One of them was going to die in the next few minutes, depending on what she heard from each. "He put up one finger because I have one shot. Only one, which is all I think I need."

  "Then blow his head off and get out of town. I can take over from here," Jeff said.

  "You've been nothing but trouble for me," Darlene said. She wished she had two bullets. She only needed two and this would be settled easily.

  Jeff was another Doug to her, the thorn in her side. She knew he was behind the attack in the diner, which led to John being shot and her baby being missing. He'd come after them, although, it dawned on her The Lich Lord had sent Jeff to do his bidding. They were both guilty and both deserved to die.

  She needed another bullet.

  John touched her shoulder lightly. He looked concerned. Whatever she did right now would change their lives one way or another.

  Darlene pointed the Desert Eagle at Jeff. "If I kill you, another asshole will be gone from this world. In the short time I've been here, I've heard nothing but complaints about you and the shit you pull. You hunted me down, killed people I loved and kidnapped me."

  Jeff pointed at The Lich Lord. "I was just doing my job. He is the one who wanted you, not me. He said you needed to be here. I don't want you around. Shoot The Lich Lord and you can take anything you want and leave."

  Darlene knew part of what Jeff was saying was true. He was just a soldier to this madman zombie who was pulling all the strings. The master of puppets. But Jeff also enjoyed being the sadistic fuck he was, and the zombie apocalypse had been in his favor for the sick shit running through his mind.

  As Darlene stared at Jeff, she caught an image of him trying to make a play for the Desert Eagle by first taking a slide-step forward.

  When Jeff did indeed move, Darlene shook her head. "It would be such a huge mistake for you to do that, fucker. Especially when you might even get out of this room alive. Take three steps back. In fact, sit on the ground. Now."

  Jeff grinned. "What are you, like this fuck? You can read minds now, too?"

  The Lich Lord cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."

  Darlene watched Jeff take a seat before turning the weapon back in The Lich Lord's direction. "I think I need you to also take a seat."

  "That's never going to happen, so let's move on. I'm not going to rush you. I want to see how this all plays out on your end, Darlene. I want to see what move you make. A reaction to an action is not genuine. I want to see you go through the two different arguments, between killing me and killing Jeff. It will truly be your decision if he stays seated," The Lich Lord said.

  "For fucksake, shoot the zombie already," Jeff said. He was staring at Darlene.

  And another vision came to her of Jeff thinking about the two knives and the gun he had hidden and in easy reach.

  Darlene went back to pointing at Jeff. "Put your fucking hands up."

  "I'm already sitting on the ground."

  Darlene glanced at John before walking slowly forward towards Jeff. "I want you to roll over onto your belly and keep your hands where I can see them."

  Jeff flipped over and started to roll but then kept going over, and when he was back on his ass, sitting, he had a gun drawn.

  Fucking idiot, Darlene thought. Why hadn't we searched him? Why hadn't The Lich Lord? Darlene looked at the smiling zombie-vampire-whatever the fuck. Because he knew this was going to happen. I can read thoughts and so can he. He saw it when I saw it, yet he did nothing about it.

  Darlene knew she was being manipulated.

  "I'm going to stand up, dust myself off, and leave now. I promise I won't come back. How does that sound? I just need to go back to the bar and get my shit. You'll never see me again," Jeff said.

  "You know I can't do that," Darlene said.

  "Let him go," John said and came up beside Darlene. "It's not worth it. I know you had no intention of killing this asshole, anyway. It was all about The Lich Lord. Jeff just made it easy on you."

  Darlene smiled. She knew John wasn't reading anyone's mind but he really knew her after all this time. He knew exactly what to say in this situation to get her head clear.

  "You know what? You're right. I really have no problem with you, Jeff. If you promise to walk out the front gates and don't look back, you can go," Darlene said.

  Jeff nodded but didn't lower the gun. "I just need to get my supplies first."

  Darlene shook her head. "No deal. I can't have you wandering Main Street another second. I need you gone. I'll go through your stuff and drop it over the fence in the morning. Everything you can carry, I'll give you. Fair enough?"

  Jeff looked panicked.

  Darlene concentrated on his thoughts, which were suddenly filled with naked women in a frenzied lesbian orgy.

  "Get out of my head, you fucking witch," Jeff said. The gun shook in his hand. "Holy shit. You're a fucking zombie, too."

  "I'm not a zombie. I'm a vampire. Doesn't anyone listen anymore?" The Lich Lord said, clearly amused at the situation.

  At any moment, one of them was going to fire. Darlene didn't want to go second. Jeff obviously had quite the arsenal at the bar, and probably the bulk of the compound's supplies. Who knew what else he was hiding.

  "Fair enough. I will give you an hour to gather everything you can and get out," Darlene said.

  Jeff nodded and visibly relaxed. "Just leave me alone for an hour. Whatever is left in the bar you can have. I need to prepare my shit so I can survive outside these walls. You'll never see me again."

  Darlene started to lower the Desert Eagle. "You are right. I will never see you again."

  She raised her hand slightly and pulled the trigger, shooting Jeff in the throat. Instinctively,
as he went down, he pulled his own trigger and the bullet missed John by a few inches, whizzing past his neck.

  "I never doubted the outcome," The Lich Lord said.

  Darlene forced back her emotions because right now she wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. She aimed the empty Desert Eagle at The Lich Lord and pulled the trigger over and over again until John put his hand over it and pushed her arm down.

  "We need to find our baby," John said.

  The Lich Lord stared at Darlene. "The baby has been taken north. To downtown Jacksonville, where he is in danger. And there are others who are also looking for the child. My kind will seek to enslave or kill him. My offer is this: bring the baby back to this compound and he will be safe. It is obvious what we need to do. We need the child's blood for the cure."

  "You're insane," John said.

  "Am I, Darlene? You know I'm right. You can explain it to John on the journey north. Regardless of what you do, I won't stand in your way. In fact, I will help you when I can," The Lich Lord said.

  "I don't see why you would help me," Darlene said.

  "Because I genuinely want this to end. I want to see a semblance of mankind survive. It also allows me to survive, but the way this is going everyone will die in another generation or two unless we reverse this plague and turn people back into human beings or kill them trying," The Lich Lord said.

  "I'm leaving," Darlene said. She took Jeff's weapon and two knives.

  "Fair enough. Good luck on your journey. Feel free to take anything you find at Jeff's dwelling. You've earned it," The Lich Lord said.

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Vee was falling asleep, standing and then leaning against the recliner. She wanted this to end soon and then she'd sleep for a week. She had a pistol in her hand and the shotgun and a rifle a hand away.

  Scotty hadn't given up, quietly trying to talk Taylor into leaving and running away. He didn't understand what Vee knew: there was nowhere to run from an evil like Jeff. You needed to fight fire with fire.