The five of them stood over the destroyed zombie. This was their first kill together. They all felt different emotions, but Melissa could see that they also all felt an increased trust and faith in each other. They looked at one another with pride.
Melissa spoke after giving them a moment. “Good work everyone. Ok, let’s get back to digging. Looks like we need to make a bigger grave.”
The group got back to work. Melissa could see that each one of them showed more confidence and determination. She couldn’t quite keep her hands from shaking as she got to work though.
They completed digging the grave and the garbage dump without any further incident. Patrick’s body was laid in the grave next to the unnamed zombie and was covered up quickly. Ern said a few quick words over both bodies.
Melissa contemplated some of Ern’s words as he spoke. She wasn’t the religious type and never paid much of attention to sermons. This certainly wasn’t the first time she had attended a burial service though. Melissa remembered the times she had stood at attention as former colleagues were laid to rest. The words were little more than a droning noise to her in those days.
But this time everything was so visceral – So real – that she registered every word clearly.
“O Lord, you who are the father of mercy. We deliver these two souls back into your kingdom. May the holy spirit guide them to your judgement, and may their souls be cleansed and find peace in your embrace. We trust in you, our Lord, and ask you to look over those who need you in these trying times. In this we pray to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
It was short and improvised. But every member of the group was impressed by Ern’s delivery.
The group stood in silence for several moments. Melissa thought about the two dead bodies and wondered if their spirits had departed well before their bodies were destroyed. She hoped so.
Surely there is no consciousness driving these people to attack us... Melissa reasoned.
Or, was a little piece of the spirit held captive as the body reanimated. Forced to watch in terror as the body rose to attack loved ones...
Either way, I hope you can now rest in peace, Patrick.
With one last exchange of looks, the group picked up their shovels and weapons and made their way back towards the school. Melissa noted that the group walked with more confidence. They had accomplished their first mission. They maintained sound discipline, even when faced with the appearance of a zombie.
Except I didn’t. I yelped after I hit that zombie... I will have to do better next time.
The group entered the gym and were met by the entire population of the Ren. Rosa was there, supported by Shelley. She managed a soft ‘Thank you’, with a pained smile for the returning crew.
It felt like they received a hero’s welcome. There were several hugs, high-fives and back-slaps. The survivors at the Ren needed something positive and this, to them, was a success.
Chapter Sixty
That evening, the remnants of the United States Government publicized the supply drop locations. The broadcast went on for several hours, covering the entire country, state by state. Craig copied down as many of the locations as he could and Christine, Sarah, and finally Claire took over as wrists got sore from writing.
They found out that there were two more drops within a twenty-mile radius. They also discovered that not all supply drops had been announced. Their location was not mentioned, for one. Several people seemed relieved at that.
Joe contacted Phil shortly after. Phil was pleased to note that there was a supply drop ‘just ‘round the bend’. Phil said that he was going to prepare himself to make a run for the place. Joe argued with Phil, suggesting that he should lie low if he had enough supplies, and not risk the trip. Phil’s reply was that he wanted to get to the goodies before anybody else beat him to it.
That comment got the group thinking. How would survivors act? Would it be ‘every man for himself’? Ern had a thought-provoking way to put it.
“My parents were German. Actually, my father was a decorated soldier in the ‘Wehrmacht’, as they call it over there.”
“Oof! Anyway, that’s beside the point.” He quickly said when Nancy elbowed him.
“My parents were brought up with communal values. No, they weren’t Communists, John.” He said as he saw the former soldier look up.
“They believed in taking care of their community. Their fellow man. I remember them telling me that they had some awful years after the war, and the only thing that kept them going was the strong community spirit. Back then... or maybe it’s better to say over there, families stay together longer. They don’t move far away from each other. You knew everybody that lived on your street. There was always somebody ready to help you, and you were always ready to help a friend, family member or neighbor.”
He licked his lips, unsure how to proceed. “Now, I don’t want anybody here to take offense. I’m a proud American just like you folks. Born and raised.”
“Tell us what’s on your mind, Ern.” Craig encouraged.
“Ok. Well, when I was old enough, my parents talked about all of this. They said that they were so terribly dismayed when they moved to America and realized just how different the culture was. My dad felt that, overall, people here are friendly enough. But as soon as you needed something, they would shut their doors to you.”
“What’s worse, is that people would take advantage of you. He told me that they became friends with another couple. They were friends for several years, until they tried to do some business together. They were doing some carpentry work around town. Well,
