If you are new to this series here is the link to Chapter 1 Part I.

 

Chapter 7, Part II

I let that sit. Not really sure what had been happening in Malibu. Maybe a fund raiser. When the EMP hit it wasn’t the right time of year for an Oscar party. Walking on the beach is a steady stream of them walking North towards the base. It’s like a line of ants following a trail looking for food. The highway is raised here and the sea wall is keeping them below on the sand. Within five minutes drive I see a huge white structure jutting out from the mountains.

“I think that’s our answer. Where are we?”

“What is it? We’re about 15 clicks from the base.” Mack says.

“It’s a cruise ship.” Tinker Bell says leaning forward.

“That’s an Oasis class cruise ship, there’s like 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew.” Mack says.

Tinker Bell stares at him.

Mack is now on the defense. “What? I wanted to work on a cruise line after my stint in the Navy.”

“Yeah, you’d be a real ‘Vicki the Cruise Director’.” Tinker Bell couldn’t pass up the opportunity to twist the ever present knife she has planted in Mack’s ribs.

“I would’ve rather been a Purser, so ‘Gopher’ would’ve been more appropriate.”

Leaning forward, “You’re not helping yourself.” I say. Tyler almost does a spit take after hearing that one.

Turning the bend reveals a cove where Decker Canyon splits off PCH heading North. Listing to its side in the cove is a huge cruise ship against the rocks slowly being ripped apart with each wave. It’s immense. Must be three football fields long and the hull is as tall as a ten story building. Looking as if there are ants around the base of the ship the undead are falling from the decks above. Some are landing in the water and some on the sand with thuds or splashes. Some are either unfortunate or fortunate depending on the way you look at it and are landing between the rocks and the hull. It looks like a cheese grater of human flesh. The ocean is red with blood and guts.

“Sharks.” I say pointing just off the shore. It’s a feeding frenzy. Fighting over those who’ve fell into the water. Body parts are floating out to sea from being ripped apart in the cheese grater. Almost at once like a wave the stench hits us. Death is everywhere and it’s overpowering the refreshing smell of salt air.

“We better get back.” Mack offers while turing the bug around and dodging several cars.  After successfully negotiating the u turn he speeds off making it back to the bend in the road. “Fuck!” He yells.

“Oh shit.” Tinker Bell lets out. “Contact Front!” As Mack slams on the brakes forcing the Bug into an endo. Tinker Bell hangs her body out the passenger window in one swift motion while beginning to fire. Zombies from the beach found a staircase up to PCH following the sound of the Bug. Tinker Bell automatically begins firing, selecting targets quickly and dropping them.

Creating distance, Mack slams the Bug in reverse abruptly smashing us into a Ford Taurus, stopping us instantly and sending Tinker Bell to the rear of the window opening.

Mack throws the car into drive gunning the gas with Tinker Bell still half out of the window. Tires spinning, our bumper now jammed into the grill of the car behind us prevents any forward motion.  Throwing open the door Tinker Bell is out engaging our pursuers. Pushing the seat forward I get out to help stem the flow. I feel Tyler hop out behind me hot on my heels.

Leaning in I shout to Mack over the sound of suppressed fire. “Get this thing able to roll and we’ll hold them off.” I wish I had the time to wrap a bandana over my mouth and nose, I’m ready to vomit from the smell of rotting flesh. Some of the Moaners fresh out of the water have clothes dripping wet and chunks of flesh are dropping off their bones either from the time spent in the water or sharks who pulled meat off their bodies. Some are walking with entrails dragging on the ground and others are walking lop sided from legs now at different lengths.

“Cover!” Tinker Bell yells while instinctively kneeling to reload. Hearing that I spin and begin to engage the Zombies as they move forward on us while she reloads.

“Up!” She yells. Standing over her with my leg touching her back I reach down and squeeze her shoulder giving her the signal it is okay for her to rise.

“Come Up!” I yell raising the muzzle of my carbine. With my hand on her shoulder I step aside as she rises and let her take her position again. The tires squeal. “Tyler, see if you can kick the bumper loose.” Zombies are approaching, looking like a tide of ants coming closer every second. The small crowd approaching seem to have turned into hundreds within seconds. Even with the ones we’re hitting going down, they are being replaced by a steady stream and soon there will easily be a thousand. “Fuck, do this many people really go on cruises?”

“I don’t know but I liked that blue dress.” Tinker Bell commenting as she put a round through a female Zombies’ head. Like little red fountains Moaners heads are exploding, popping like watermelons hit with a sledge hammer, but some how through it all Tinker Bell seems to keep her sarcastic sense of humor.

“Cover!” I yell and crouch down to change magazines. I pull out the dry one and insert a new one hitting my ping pong paddle to send another round into the chamber. “UP!” I yell. White smoke begins to drift forward engulfing our position from the tire spinning.

“Come Up!” Tinker Bell yells while squeezing my shoulder. She’s an excellent shot acquiring targets and taking them out quickly. Like the beat of a drum one after another. Taking down several more I turn back to Tyler.

“Give me a hand!” Tyler is yelling while jumping up and down on the bumper as Mack is trying to use the power of the little VW engine to pull away.