Chapter Four: Day 15

DAY 15

 

 "Cash Go Help Tony!" Derrick Shouts to the lanky boy. Cash gives him a sharp salute and saunters off to help Tony load up the goods. The Crew was made of 8 people, Derrick, Fergs Cash, Lionel, Jackson, Tony, Frank, and Vern.

 

Derrick was the leader, Fergs was the muscle as well as the guns, since he had the best aim out of everyone in the tribe (besides Derrick and Adam). Cash was always the look out, his skinny stature made it easy for him to "squirrel into places and scout ahead without being seen, he also had the best hearing, they liked to call it the sonic hearing. Lionel was the driver and having been a street racer before the infection hit he was easily the fastest driver the tribe had, which had come in handy on some close call missions. Jackson was the man you went to if you needed bombs, It was a risky job but Jackson knew how to create bombs from practically anything, smoke bombs, grenades you name it he could build it. Tony because of his large build was always handy to have around when they found goods to bring back to the Tribe, or if something heavy was blocking the trucks path he could move it. Frank was fast and could run for help if needs be, and Vern being the oldest of the crew at 53 was wise and tended to have the best strategies that Derrick always took into account. This was the crew that Derrick Always took with him when He had to go out on a mission. They may not have served in the US Military (well Vern did when he was younger) but the crew considered themselves troop mates and had each others back no matter what.  

 

It's been 15 days (a trip that should have taken only 3) since they left the tribe and so far they haven't found the other tribe, But They had managed to find a few goods from an old Wal-Mart. They had found some children clothing which was sorely needed as the 10 children in the tribe were quickly running out of clothes that fit, they found some feminine products that miraculously hadn't fallen apart (this was a good thing for some of the females in the tribe had been complaining about a lack of sanitary products). And some much needed medical supplies like Band-Aids, gauze, peroxide, and medical tape. Tony was loading it into the truck but was taking to long. Derrick wanted to be out of here as soon as possible and back on the road, the survivors from the other tribe had to be close, he wanted to find them soon.That nagging feeling that something bad was going to happen still hadn't let up, but had gotten worse, with every mile closer to where they thought the survivors were the feeling had gotten heavier, until it was now sitting uncomfortably in the middle of his chest, making it hard to breath.

 

   "Yo Derrick! The Cargo is all packed! We leavin or what?" Jackson asks jogging up to Derrick, who that moment was stationed  a good 10 or 11 feet away from the truck a gun in his hand patrolling with Fergs in case the infected sprung out and decided to attack. With one final look and confirming their safety he nods his head.

 

     "Yeah lets Roll" He says. He puts his thumb and pointer in his mouth and lets out a shrill whistle making the rest of the crew look up at him sharply. "CREW LETS MOVE! We should get to the others by the end of the day if we don't make any more stops!" He shouts to his crew. They whoop a loud cheer and pile into the truck the best they can around the goods. To make room Tony , being the biggest guy muscle wise, sat up front with Lionel while the rest of the men sandwiched themselves between the goods, Cash being as skinny as he was sat on top of one of the crates without the fear of breaking it. Lionel starts the truck and it lurches forward before smoothly rolling out of the parking lot, a few jerks here and there to avoid the massive Potholes. Putting His gun between his crossed legs Derrick leans his head against the crate, careful of Cash's legs and closes his eyes, images of Nicole flickering through his mind. He missed her terribly, an ache deep in his chest makes his chest tighten painfully, and he is surprised to find tears prickling at the edges of his closed eyes, itching to fall. He throws his thoughts away from her and focuses on listening to the sounds around him. Since the neighborhoods and street were long abandoned and no one cared for them any longer they had grown wild, animals like Coyotes, foxes, deer skunks and raccoons roam the once busy streets, the many birds whistled and called loudly. Derrick opens his eyes and watches as a fox stood still as a statue as the truck rattled by, its orange fur almost glowing in the heat of the sun. When the truck drives pass he watches as the Fox runs off into the overgrown brush, disappearing from sight. Closing his eyes again he quickly falls asleep.

 

The sudden stop of the Truck followed by the sounds of his men shouting Wakes Derrick up with a start, the gun quickly in his hands. As the sleep clears from his eyes he quickly asses the situation. The Truck was stopped in the middle of a Field, his man jumping out scanning the area, guns at the ready.

 

"Fergs What is Going on here?" He shouts, his voice still slightly deep with sleep. Fergs Looks up at him, a harsh glare on his face, He points his gun off in the distance and scanning the area Derrick spies a large Water tower maybe half a mile away, faint Shrieks were coming from that general Direction. Cursing Derrick jumps out of the truck bed and readies his gun. "Alright guys, My apologies for not staying alert, someone want to catch me up on whats going on." He says shamed he let his guard down.

 

"No worries man, we were all kind of dozing off there, We heard screams coming from this Field so we took detour, we are right around the area the survivors were said to be at, figured that's who was screaming. What do we do boss?" Fergs says as the team gathers around Derrick waiting for orders.

 

"Right Cash you stay behind here with Jackson and Lionel as look outs follow behind in the truck in case we need to make a quick get away, Frank you scout ahead, Vern, Tony, Fergs you're with me, lets move!" He says readying their guns the team splits up into their roles, Vern, Fergs, and Tony following Derrick as he wades into the tall dried grasses of the Field, heading toward the water tower. The sound of the truck  lets them know the others were crawling slowly behind them. As they get closer to the tower the screams become more distinct, Derrick was able to comfirm that it was only one person, a child by the pitch, a young child no longer 9. Suddenly the sounds an animistic snarling that could only be made by a human reaches his ears making him stop short  "Guys be careful, the Infected are here. only shoot them, no one else understood?" The others nod, they had reached the point that the water tower was just ahead. Pushing back some tall grass they get a clear view of the tower Derrick curses. Climbing the tower was a young girl no older then 6 screaming as she tried to get away from the Infected man who was scrambling up the metal ladder after her. Beneath the tower was a dead women that could only be the mother. Frank slips in next to Derrick and confirms that there are no other Infected people in the area. Derrick turns to his troops, grim faces stared back at him.  "Alright guys I will be honest, I've never done a rescue mission, but I assume you have,' He says looking at Vern, "What should we do?" He asks the older man, who stands up a little straighter with the compliment. Vern looks over his fellow men and mulls over a plan.

 

"Alright guys this is how its going to happen. Tony you and Fergs go first, aim for the man, Frank once they have the man down you go get that little girl, you're faster and she is the most important part of this mission, you get her to the truck at all costs, Derrick you cover me, I'm going to go see if there is any chance saving her mother. Is that understood guys?" He says. The others nod their heads, it was the best plan, Vern nods. "Lets GO!" He says and they break into action. Tony and Fergs rush out, their guns going off sounding like small bombs, the man screeching in agony as a few of the bullets make their way into his body. He drops from the tower at a dizzying height, landing at an awkward angle, laying unnaturally still, Fergs bends down and making sure he was well out of the way of the mans hands and teeth checks a pulse, shaking his head when he finds none.On Que Frank runs over to the tower and starts to climb. calling out to the little girl

 

"It's OK little girl we are here to save you, come on down." He shouts, as Derrick and Vern run over to the fallen women. Vern drops to his knees and puts his hand under the women's chin, right were the pulse should be beating strongly, looking up at Derrick he frowns and shakes his head, the women was dead. Cursing Derrick looks over at Frank who was still trying to coax the little girl down but having difficulty. The little girl kept climbing up crying hard and shaking her head no. "Derrick she isn't coming down help me!" Frank says through gritted teeth as he jumps down. Derrick goes over and shading his eyes looks up at the little girl. She was a dirty little creature with dirt tracks covering her face, the only clean part was where her tears left trails. Her limp hair was blonde under all the grease and particles that snarled into it, she was thin too thin like she hadn't eaten in a while. Quickly He looks at Frank,

 

"Grab one of those pop top cans of Spaghetti O's and meatballs, this girl must be hungry." He shouts watching Frank run to the truck. ten minutes later he comes running back with a can and hands it to Derrick. Looking back up at the girl he holds up the food. "Hey There, Are you hungry? We have food here,See it hasn't even been opened yet so no worries."he says holding out the food for her. She peers down at him with a dirty weary face a look of agonizing hunger written on it. "Come on we wont hurt you, We were sent to rescue you." he calls up in a calming voice, smiling as he watches the hungry take over and she climbs down slowly. The bottom of the ladder didn't quite reach the ground and she stills, clinging to it terrified to jump, she looks down at Derrick, her wide green eyes begging for help. Passing the can of food to Frank he walks under the ladder and opens his arms "Come on sweetie, just jump I'll catch you." He urges her. She yelps and clings to the bars, shaking her head wildly, terrified.

 

"I'll.... I'll Fall." She says in a small childish voice, the first words she had uttered since they discovered her. Fergs walks over to them and shielding his eyes he looks up at her, a smile stretching across his face.

 

"Hey there cutie, do you see my friend here?" He says pointint at Derrick, The little girl's eyes widen at the sight of Fergs and she nods. "Do you see those big strong muscles? do you think he would drop you? Those big muscles there will keep you safe, just close you're eyes and jump, he'll catch you." He says, his smile still in place, "Wont ya Derrick?" He asks not looking at him. Derrick turns back to the little girl whose eyes were wide and hopeful, he flashes her a big smile.

 

"Of Course I will, These muscles wont let you down." he says flexing his arms obnoxiously, making Fergs laugh. The little girl giggles and closes her eyes.

 

"OK I'm going to let g-go now." She says timidly, screwing up her eyes tightly. With a small frightened yelp she lets go of the ladder and falls. Derrick quickly steps closer and spreads his arms, easily catching the little girl and holding her tightly in the safety of his arms. She opens her green eyes with awe ringing clear. "tha-thank you." She whispers, squirming around in his arms so she could wraps hers around his neck and give him a huge hug as well as giving him a kiss on the cheek.

 

"Told you I would protect you, Whats your name?" He asks her as she leans back in his arms, she weighted next to nothing. She smiles at him, showing a missing front tooth.

 

"Hope Jammerson, I'm 5" she says holding up five fingers. "My mommy said that I was her best hope, that's why she named me Hope." She says suddenly growing very grim. She maneuvers in his arms and peaks around him at the fallen women, "My mommy's an angel now isn't she?" she asks with the words of a child but the knowledge of someone beyond her years, she looks up at Derrick with wide trusting eyes, making a lump form in his throat. He couldn't speak so he nods his head. She just nods back and curls up in his arms. "Mommy said she was going to protect me from the bad people, and she's gone now." She looks up suddenly and scans the area. "My bunny, Mommy said daddy got it for me when i was a baby, Where is it? I had it!" She cries squirming around in his arms demanding to be let down. He sets her down and with out fear she runs over to her dead mother, dropping to her knees and wiping away hair from her face. "bye mommy I love you." Derrick hears her say before she bends down and kisses her mothers cheek. She snakes her little hand underneath the women and pulls out a small purple fuzzy stuffed rabbit that she cradles in her arms and cries great sobs that shakes her tiny frame. At the sight of the young girl crying over her mother tears form in his eyes.

 

"Fergs get the shovel, We are not leaving until her mother gets a proper burial." He orders receiving a look of respect from Vern. Fergs nods and heads over to the truck , Lionel, Cash, and Jackson jump out, Fergs goes over and catches them up on everything as Derrick walks over to Hope. "Sweetie, do you mind if we bury your mom?" He asks her as he kneels down next to her. She looks up at him with tearstained eyes and hurls her small body into his arms sobbing the entire time, nodding her head yes with permission. He picks her up and holds her close as he walks back over to the guys, Cash stops short at the sight of Hope and instantly opens his arms out for her.

 

"I'll Take her Derrick, go help that poor women rest in peace." He says in his soft voice. Derrick goes to hand him Hope but she just cries out and clings to him harder, Cash's face softens, "Never mind you stay here with her, I'll go help them. Hey Hun do you have any place you want her to be laid at?" He asks Hope gently. Hope lifts her face from Derrick's neck and points at the water tower.

 

"Under there, It was our special place." She sniffles pointing at a spot right under the tower that had a bunch of wild buttercup flowers, "We use to pick them and put them under our chin to make them yellow." She whispers burying her face in his neck again, tears leaking out of her eyes. Derrick puts his hand on her back and rubs it trying to sooth her. Fergs and the others set about getting everything ready while Derrick takes the girl over to the truck where Fergs had left the can of spaghetti O's. He opens it up and taking his handy camping tool he flips it open to the small spoon and hands the whole thing to her, her eyes growing wide with raw hunger and she snatches it out of his hands and starts shoveling it in her mouth, great big spoon fulls.

 

"easy easy, if you eat to fast you will puke it all up," he says gently, laying a hand on hers to still her wild eating. He watches her as she struggles to eat slowly until finally she had eaten it all. she hands him back the empty tin and looks at him with a clear question in her eyes. He smiles at her and opens his arms for her to crawl into them. "You can have another one when we get home, right now let this settle." He says to her as he rest his chin on her head.

 

"Where is your home?" she asks him curiously. He smiles

 

"Its in this place called Tiverton Rhode Island, It's about three days away from here, there are thirty people in my tribe and we live in my old High school, do you know what a high school is?" He asks her She nods her head.

 

"its where older kids use to go to school." she says smiling when he smiles at her.

 

"That's right, well we all live in there, me and my sister Nicole and her boyfriend Adam, and my mother, she's the leader." he continues to talk to her and tell her all about the tribe until the others came over to tell them her mother was buried. he looks down at At Hope  "Do you want to go say goodbye?" She sniffles and jumps down, running across the clearing to the mound of freshly turned soil and dropped to her knees, her little purple rabbit clenched tightly in one hand as she picks a handfull of buttercup flowers with the other. She throws them onto her mothers grave and from this distance he could see her lips moving, telling her mother a final goodbye. A sudden movement a little bit behind her has Derrick on full alert. Suddenly a women snarling come bursting out from the tall grass, a long gleaming knife in one hand, her eyes trained on home. Derrick Breaks into a fast run, snatching up his fallen gun where he had left it.

 

"HOPE RUN!" He screams startling the little girl, she whips her head around spots the women, jumps up and runs toward Derrick. Her foot catches on a large rock and Derrick watches in horror as she falls, sprawling out on the ground, her rabbit flinging into the air and landing behind her. She screams out as the women grabs her leg, clawing at her. He aims for the women, missing her by an inch, but it was enough to make the women stumble back. He reaches Hope and quickly lifts her into his arms and runs toward the car noticing the others were all scrambling around trying to pick up their fallen guns. Hope kicked in his arms twisting this way and that trying to get out of them

 

"MY BUNNY! MY BUNNY! DON'T LEAVE MY BUNNY!" She screams tears streaming down her face," Derrick its my mommy's gift to me Don't leave it with the bad women." She whispers looking at Derrick with Pleading eyes. Derrick curses under his breath as he reaches Cash,

 

"Cash take her, I have to get that stupid rabbit." he yells holding her out for him. she grabs Cash's shirt and clings to him as Derrick turns around to grab the stuffed animal.

 

"DERRICK ARE YOU CRAZY GET BACK HERE!" Fergs yells But he doesn't pay attention, he just keeps running back toward the water tower, his eyes on the rabbit. He snatches it up just as the infected women reaches him. The women makes a grab at him and he hits her with the butt of his gun making her fall. Her back was to the other guys and Fergs had just grabbed his gun, Aiming it at her.

 

FERGS SHOOT HER NO-" white hot pain slicing into his right side halting his sentence. He looks down to see the gleaming knife stabbed into his side, between his last two ribs. She snarls and rips it out of him, a painfull pulling makes him groan and as soon as he was free of the blade he staggers unable to stand up with the pain he falls to his knees. A girlish scream alerts him that Hope had seen and he sluggishly moves his head to see her squirming out of Cash's arms and running to him. "NO!" He screams, the effort making more blood pump out of his wound, his shirt soaked in seconds. The infected women spies Hope and runs toward her, the blade now red with his blood waving wilding in the air. Suddenly the women jerks, a red spray of blood flying from her head as Fergs takes and makes his target, the women drops dead. Hope halts in her running for a few minutes, staring wide eyed at her before taking off again to Derrick. Derrick's vision was blurring around the edges and he collapses on the ground, his back hitting the dirt with a painful thud. Hope Drops to her knees next to him, taking his blood covered hand

 

"Derrick don't become an Angel."She cries, gripping his hand tightly. Derrick looks at her and gives a feeble squeeze back. He opens his mouth to talk but cough up blood instead. The sounds of the others reach him like they were screaming through jello and he suddenly feels like he is floating, Hope's hand disappears from his. He looks to See Tony had picked him up, running gently yet urgently to the Truck.

 

"Cash get the medical supplies, Bandages NOW!" Tony yells placing Derrick on the flatbed of the truck, "Little girl you need to get back, we cant help him if you are in the way, no Girl Get down, CASH get her!" He yells as Hope scrambles onto the truck, worming her way around Tony to curl up on Derrick's good side. Cash comes up and tries to pick her up but she just screams and curls up closer. Derrick manages to move his good arm and wrap it around the girl.

 

"It..it's OK Hope, I..I'm going to be fi- Ah" the pain becomes so intense he cries out, his body tensing making more blood ooze of the wound. His head falls limply to one side he closes his eyes. the sounds of his men surround him but he is unable to speak, the darkness claws it way to him and he knows if he doesn't get to the school soon he was going to die. The last image in his head before unconsciousness takes him was Nicole.