Deadhead a zombie apocal.., p.1
Deadhead: A Zombie Apocalypse Thriller, page 1
Contents
Title page
Copyright
Disclaimer
Phil Maxey Books
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Thank you
DEADHEAD
Infernal Contagion Book 6
by
Phil Maxey
Copyright © 2024 by Philip Maxey
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The Work of Phil Maxey, aka Philip Maxey, may not be used or accessed in any manner which could help the learning/training of artificial intelligence technologies.
First Printing, 2024.
https://www.philmaxeyauthor.com/
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales, is purely coincidental.
OTHER BOOKS BY PHIL MAXEY
Cascade Universe (In order)
Cascade Prequel Book 1: Encounter
Cascade Prequel Book 2: Extinction
Cascade Complete Series Box Set: Books 1 - 8
Earth Clash Complete Series Box Set: Books 1 - 4
Cascaders Book 1 (on going series)
Other Series
The Scourge Complete Series Box Set: Books 1 - 6
Extinction Gene Complete Series Box Set: Books 1 - 6
The Glitch Complete Series Box Set: Books 1 - 4
Blood and Power Complete Series Box Set: Books 1 - 5
Infernal Contagion Book 1: Deadfall
Infernal Contagion Book 2: Deadweight
Infernal Contagion Book 3: Deadrise
Infernal Contagion Book 4: Deadlier
Infernal Contagion Book 5: Deadlock
Infernal Contagion Book 6: Deadhead (on going series)
CHAPTER ONE
PROLOGUE
Day Ten.
USA National News.
“The repercussions from the use of nuclear bombs to try to quell the GB virus, has found its way to the U.N. Assembly today, as members vote on any future possible use. Some countries are worried they will not get a say in the use of them in their own countries, and this in turn this has caused a mass outflow of refugees from poorer member states. Meanwhile memorials are being held across the world for what happened a few days ago, to the country formally known as the United Kingdom.”
Day Twelve.
Radio EastCoastXM.
“As the strange weather incidents continue up and down the eastern seaboard, there comes reports that the European virus has made its way to the continental United States. In shocking footage, the national guard has been seen shooting dead, what appear to be animated corpses in Baltimore and New York City. The federal government has denied these reports saying it was looters, but witnesses on the ground have been using their phones to record troops burning hundreds of bodies. Stay tuned for more on these shocking events…”
Day Fifteen.
US EMERGENCY NEWS “BREAKING.”
“States bordering the eastern states complete a historic vote today, to enact border policies against them, due to the growing reports of the animated dead. This comes only a few days after Mexico and Canada have closed their own borders. Footage out of New York has shown the NYPD and National Guard, failing to hold back the growing number of the dead, which are rising from cemeteries and morgues across the towns and cities. Meanwhile, the refugee crisis within these eastern states continues, with border towns being overrun with those looking to flee west. There are growing calls in central states for the federal government to use the army to stop the influx of the infected…”
CHAPTER TWO
Location: North West Atlantic.
Day Nineteen.
7: 29 a.m.
“We should be dead…”
Joe turned around to face the doctor, the younger of the two onboard the seventy-five-foot fishing trawler, as the bracing wind and ice cold water splashed across him. They were standing at the bow, one of his favourite places on the large boat when the sun was fresh in the eastern sky, because it allowed him some semblance of privacy. It was also his turn to keep watch for the enemy.
His beard hid how slim his face had become, but Grace couldn’t hide her malnourishment. Enzo had done his best to teach his new crew of twenty-four, how the nets worked, but whether it was the weather or something else they had been unlucky in the size of the haul they had caught. But he knew that wasn’t what Grace was referring to.
He sighed and looked back out to the ocean, not wanting to acknowledge her point.
“None of us have had any water for over four days,” she continued. “Do you feel dizzy? I would kill for a shandy, but apart from that… Our organs should be shutting down about now. I check everyone over daily, but apart from having lost most of our body fat, we’re in decent shape…”
“We’re alive. Many are not. We should be thankful for that.”
She took a step closer. “Yes, yes, I know that. And I also know it’s the lifeform, somehow keeping us going, but what I’m saying, Joe, is that if we don’t get water soon? Even the lifeform won’t be able to do that anymore. We will die… and who knows what it’s doing to Liz’s—”
He whipped around. “There’s something wrong with the baby?”
“No. Your child seems fine, although it’s still too early to tell much of anything without the right medical devices. I’m just saying, to last this long without water? We need to find land soon. We can’t stay out here, avoiding the warships forever…”
Joe was thankful for the sound of the patter of four feet, as the golden retriever jogged up to him. He turned around and kneeled, scuffing up the dog’s fur around its neck then looked past Grace to the dog’s owner. “Hey, Maggie.”
She smiled, holding onto her hat and the handrail, as the boat crashed through the waves. “Hi, Joe. Any sight of the new world yet?”
He smiled. “I’m afraid not.”
“Enzo said we only have enough fuel for the engines for another day…”
“I know…”
There was another rush of footsteps across the wooden deck. Owen appearing behind Maggie. “There’s a voice!”
Joe moved towards him. “What?”
“Lauren turned on the generator and it came straightaway from the radio!”
Joe Jogged forward, looking up at the wheelhouse then quickly opened the hatch and ascended the stairs to the highest deck. Several of the crew were huddled at the back of the large room, where the radio console was.
Lauren was the closest to the set and was wearing headphones but there was no need as the recorded message was blaring through the external speakers. A grating high pitch beep repeated three times before the message continued.
“This is an federal emergency broadcast. This is not a test. The following states have been affected by a highly contagious pathogen, leading to the reanimation of dead tissue. This will lead to deceased animals and humans having the appearance of being alive. These creatures are extremely dangerous and must be avoided at all costs. If you are in these states, please travel to one of the evacuation centres for immediate evacuation to the west. If you are not able to do that, please stay inside and do not venture outside unless absolutely necessary. Wait for security forces to come to your location for evacuation.”
The message broke off into a scratchy, artificial tone before starting again. Lauren turned the volume down and looked up at the six faces looking at her, but focused on the one she had come to learn outranked her.
Brigadier General Jenn Montford was chewing her lip, something she did often, although only since being on the boat did she allow others to see.
“ Well, that’s not good,” said the tall young man who was usually seen by her side.
“No, Lieutenant, it’s not.”
Enzo awkwardly got out of his captain’s chair. The smell of alcohol following him as he made his way to the group. “But…” He moved to a small table near the radio set where a large map was laid out, and tracked his finger across the left side of it. “If we are hearing this message, we must be—”
“Land!” shouted Clara from outside. Everyone rushed forward to look out of the bow facing windows, including Joe.
Maggie and Clara were standing at the sharp end of the boat, pointing at the dark ragged shapes on the horizon that kept being eclipsed by the surging waves.
As the wheelhouse erupted in joy, Joe produced a small set of binoculars from his jacket pocket and focused the lens. As the waves dipped and rose, a row of skyscrapers came into view, along with the smudge of dark-gray clouds above them. He looked to his right, handing the eyepieces to his CO.
“Looks like smoke from fires…” said Jenn.
“Yup…”
“So the radio reports were true. The virus made landfall in the states as well…”
“Look’s like it.”
The jubilance dissolved inside the room.
“But… but, we are still going to go ashore, right?” said Owen. He looked across the adults for confirmation. “We have to…”
“Yes,” said Jenn. “But not at any city port. We need to go upriver. Explore inland through the waterways.” She looked at Enzo. “You alright with that?”
Enzo continued looking at the map. “If there are no military sure, although without more fuel, we won’t get far.”
“First thing we do is look for a spot where we can refuel.” She looked at Tyrone. “Lieutenant, take Baldwin, Anita and Clara.”
“I don’t think she’s going to—”
“I’ll talk to Nell,” said Joe.
Jenn frowned, looking back through the binoculars. “Good. Now we’re here, we need to start acting like the military we are.”
Lauren scanned the horizon then looked down at the LCD screen showing a radar display. “Nothing pinging on radar. If there was a blockade here, it’s gone now.”
The wheelhouse door sprung open and a slightly out of breath Heather, with Mathew close behind, rushed inside. “There’s a message?” she enquired.
“Standard emergency stuff,” said Joe.
“Shit.” She looked out the front windows, then back to the others. “Any navy?”
He shook his head. “None of as yet. We’re going to look for a river to move inland.”
She moved to the map as Mathew moved closer to Joe. The computer nerd looked hardly recognisable to Joe, his clothes now at least two sizes too large for the younger man. His mannerisms hadn’t changed though.
“I dreamed of a hotdog last night,” said Mathew. “I think it was a sign.”
Joe smiled, laying a hand briefly on Mathew’s shoulder. “We might have to wait a bit for that. There are fires in the city…”
Mathew’s slight expression of joy had been replaced with shock, and both men, along with Tyrone and Jenn, looked out to sea and the shape of the coast growing more defined.
Enzo threw a hand in the same direction. “I think that’s Boston. We could navigate up the river that goes through the city.”
Jenn shook her head. “No. I want to avoid being seen if possible.”
“We can head south,” said Heather, studying the map. “Along the Connecticut coast, then head north up the Connecticut river.”
Jenn joined her, observing the same route. “Yes, let’s try that.” She looked back at Enzo who had sat back in his seat.
He turned the wheel a little. “South, it is,” said the captain.
CHAPTER THREE
AIDEN
Aiden Finch pushed the bicycle up the sloping road, conscious of the squeaking chains. Even that barely audible sound would be enough to draw them. The world was quiet now. Gone were the sounds of the birds and insects which would infuse the air during summer. Instead, there was only silence, or as he walked up the subtle rise in the long road, which sat some ways back from the river which it ran parallel to, the repetitive artificial sound of his only mode of transport.
He got to the top and looked out across the lush green woods and grass with occasional wooden framed house, to the stretch of concrete which divided it all and was littered with vehicles. The fuel ran out pretty fast during those early days, but that wasn’t the reason he was using a bicycle rather than a car, for some of them still functioned. It was how loud motor vehicles were that caused him to quickly learn they weren’t a viable option. The dead were everywhere, wandering aimlessly, waiting for some indication of those that still breathed, and the artificial roar of a combustion engine was all the signal they needed to come at you in droves.
To his right, boats were sitting, abandoned, perched on supports in a parking lot, and the gate was open…
He wheeled his bike through the opening, being watchful for any sign of movement, although he was surrounded by trees with only one large open space, so the dead could be close and he wouldn’t know it. Still, boats… he had given the idea of taking to the river a lot of serious thought. The issue though, was the same as with the craft with wheels. Fuel, and you don’t want to be stuck out on the water with a sailboat when there’s no wind. But, it was an option as he had not seen any dead in the water, yet. Maybe they drowned or maybe like cats they just hated getting wet. Who knew.
He spied the single story office at the end of the lot. It might have oil for his chain, he thought. It also might have the dead. Except they were not dead. Not in the traditional sense. During the first few days of what was happening in that far away European country, talking heads on the TV shows talked about finding a cure. That the combined might of the nation’s corporations together with the federal government would keep the people safe, and anyway, the quarantine would hold, right? Bad luck for those on that small island, but good for the rest of the world. When nukes were mentioned as a possible option, no one fully believed it, but that soon changed when the U.K’s own government starting bombing the cities. When the end came, no one was surprised, but everyone was relieved. That was the end of the problem. The world had survived a species ending event, by the skin of its teeth… or at least that was the message put out. None of it was true, of course, but it kept most people from panicking and enabled those that knew better, the chance to evacuate to the west, where a wall was already being built to separate the country. It’s hard to keep a sea border secure, but the land? That’s another thing altogether.
Aiden’s grandma always told him that sometimes you need to cut off the limb to save the whole, so he got the bigger picture. He understood. Zoe and Cassandra didn’t though. How could they?
He quickly made his way across the concrete, looking between the boats for any sign of movement then switched his attention to the smokey glass door of the small building. A hint of a counter and a chair were just visible. Resting the bike on the ground, he walked up the three wooden steps and looked through the glass. The interior was small. The counter and chair he had already seen, plus a drinks dispenser to the right. There was also another door behind the counter, partially open. He glanced over his shoulder, taking in the entire lot, then pushed the door open…
A sound hung in the air. Right at the limits of his perception, but it was there and coming from the direction of the trees to the left of the cabin.
The hands with the black nails were slashing at his face before he fully realised that the noise coming from the river was a boat. Ignoring the slice that had opened up on his cheek, he grabbed the dead middle-aged man by the throat with his left hand, and slammed his hunting knife’s blade into its skull, with his right. A motion he had perfected long before the world ended.
The body wearing the checkered blue shirt and ripped jeans, slid down the wall, but Aiden was already making his way across the gravel to the trees. A vessel was coming up the river. Perhaps military. If they were going to be coming ashore he needed to know, because they could be more of a threat than the dead if they spotted him. The federal forces put down tens of thousands of healthy people when the rush first happened. This was from the millions desperate to leave the cities of the east coast. Willing to do anything to survive. And they all ran directly into the armed forces that had the opposite idea. To stop them from escaping. To contain the infection and stop them from giving it to the rest of the country.
