Zombie Eden

ZOMBIE EDEN

By

R.G. Richards

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

R.G. Richards on Smashwords

Zombie Eden

Copyright © 2022 by R.G. Richards

Thank you for downloading this book. This ebook may not be re-sold or given to other people. If you would like to share a copy with another person, please purchase another copy.

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This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to person or persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. This is a product of the author’s imagination. Many thanks to those who have helped me on this journey.

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ZOMBIE EDEN

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ZOMBIE EDEN

Chapter One: Aftermath

What is the first thing you would do if you awoke and all the people were gone, but the stores open and fully stocked? Everything is there for the taking. Food, clothes, jewelry, weapons. Even banks are open with tons of cash for the taking. All the latest electronic gadgets and gizmos for the taking; simply make a list and have someone pick things up for you. What would you do?

That is the world we live in today.

Did I mention the zombies? Oh yeah, first you have to fight and survive, then as your reward, you get paradise.

I and my merry group live on a small island in the Bahamas Island chain. Previously infested with flesh-eating zombies, like all areas of the world, we set out on a mission to clear it and claim it as ours. We chose this island because of its benefits: it is always warm outside, which aids our food production and it is away from other landmasses, meaning isolation from the zombie scourge that plagues mankind. As for our zombies, they were trapped on this island and ran out of humans to eat; therefore, they either ate one another or lapsed into a listless state. I know they were waiting for fresh game. That fresh game was a pack of children aged five to thirteen.

You might think this is cause to be concerned. Did I mention the children are bloodthirsty, machete-wielding psychos? Zombies beware, my children are coming to get you and they don’t hostages.

On a warm summer’s night, I stood with Doctor Blake as they ran into the night with machetes high. They were on a mission to rid the island of zombies so we could begin settling into our new home.

The children call this island Eden. Yes, the biblical Eden. They are Adam and Eve and it is their duty to repopulate the planet, the planet we adults have destroyed in our arrogance with a zombie virus. Children are the future and they will fix what we broke.

Right now there is no time to worry about that mess, we have to attend to the immediate. We waited in silence. The children returned to us drenched in greenish-blackish blood. My expression must have been one of horror, all eyes were on me. I could not help it. Each face looked dirty and bloodied, a child at death’s door. I, in my insaneness, started with my brother Simon and checked each to make sure they were not only fine, but free of zombie bites and scratches. Thank god nothing went wrong.

Okay, everyone is fine. What do we do now? I posed my question to my partner in crime, Doctor Blake. We started off stormy. I tried to kill him several times and wished him dead twice as many as that. I am excessively protective of innocents and believed him to be a greater threat than the zombies. Luckily, I was wrong.

I am from the middle of the United States, a medium height, Midwestern brunette from Columbia, Missouri. I am nothing more than a farm girl and now I and this tall, bald, black man have united in taking care of these children. He is a handsome doctor and scientist and has been a tower of strength and information about zombies. I trust him and believe he will die for the children.

Tonight we rest aboard the yacht, said Blake. Everyone get a good night’s rest, at daybreak, we will scour this island, collect every zombie scrap, and burn them in a bonfire. Then, we start working on our paradise.

Yay! the children replied with exuberance.

Go on, I said, get aboard and go straight to bed. I listened to their grumbling as they left across the gangplank to board our fifty-foot yacht. Hey, clean up first.

I guess that goes for all of us, said Brittany.

Our days of being army buds were over. I was now what they called upper crust, caretaker. I was never a good soldier, but I miss going out with my squad. Private Brittany Dushell and Private Michael Matthew Jones were family. We went through hell together and now they go on missions without me because I’m special. It’s a joke, of course. I’m your regular kid with a gun. Give me instructions, tell me where to aim, and turn me loose to do damage.

Yeah, it does, I agreed.

All right, your grace. Orders for us peons? asked Jones.

I adore his malicious grin; it gets to me every time. Guard duty, of course.

Jones stood at attention and saluted. Aye, Aye, Captain.

I suppressed my laughter to look as if I were angry. I could not keep it up for long so I left, listening to the laughter behind me. I heard shouted orders behind me so I tried to decipher them as I walked to the gangplank. Jones, Dushell, and I were army soldiers, Privates, meaning low on the totem pole. The highest rank was Staff Sergeant Benny, our second driver. I listened to him give the order for the soldiers to fan out in groups of two to each corner of our nearly square island home. Benny will be in charge of the soldiers and island security while Jones will be in charge of soldiers on away missions. Blake and I agreed on this. We will be a society protected by soldiers who guard our borders. The army rule the fringes while civilians, Blake and I, rule the interior society. All this we agreed upon before retiring for our first night in Eden.

We slept as we had slept the previous night. The yacht contained a large cabin with bunk beds for the children and a master bedroom we women share. The men sleep on the deck with a posted guard for our protection.

Sometime in the night, I rose from a restless sleep. In times like these, I know not to waste time trying to go back to sleep, so I decided to go up on deck and walk around. If nothing else, the night air could lull me to sleep. Often, my team pulled guard duty this time of night. Perhaps that was the reason for my sleeplessness.

The warm salty air caressed me, it felt wonderful. Here I was in paradise on a tropical island where I would remain for the rest of my days. I loved it.

The area was quiet with only the melody of gently tossing waves against the side of the boat. Above, the man in the moon looked down on us with a bright smile. The gentle breeze that wrapped its arms around me found a new conquest and lifted it, a scrap of paper, high in the night’s sky on an unexpected journey. I walked in this brave new world, oblivious of the physical and wanting to transcend it all on a higher plane of being. If only I could.

In this state, I nearly tripped, able to right myself to prevent catastrophe. That is when I saw him—Blake. I avoided him after what I had done earlier. Admitting that personal relationships were not my strong suit spoke volumes about my state of being. If he did not see me, I could ease out and return to my cabin. Too late. In the darkness I saw his honey-brown eyes, then he smiled. Like a dog with its tail between its legs, I ventured to him and sat on the deck beside him with my back against the side of the boat. He did not speak so I stayed quiet, waiting. Would he return my earlier gesture or not?

We sat and listened to the waves. At first there was tension, then a calmness that rolled across me from the sea. I sat looking at my bare feet. I had managed to trade for a bottle of red nail polish eight days ago. It was after I woke in Camp Brandt. One third of the bottle held polish and I fought to win it. I don’t know why, but I did. Turns out, there was only enough polish for one hand, maybe half the other. I added water and put it on my toes in case it looked bad. I smiled, looking at my feet. Not half bad.

A large-sized wave must have hit the side of the boat, it rocked and through me into Blake. He caught me and held me. I looked into those brown eyes and smiled, wishing I had words that would fill the void. After an eternity, I straightened and resumed watching my feet.

Can we really survive? I found my voice and those were my first words.

We are in paradise, Miss—

I raised my finger to warn him.

Zora.

Thank you.

You are thinking long term when you should be thinking day to day. We have removed the immediate zombie threat. Next, we clean up. After that, we assign living quarters and rebuild. Day by day we progress.

To the civilization we once knew?

No, Zora, to something much better. You and I are guardians of humanity. Our job is to aid but not direct. When the children need guidance we are there. We let them set the rules and the pace. It’s their world. We made a mess of ours. Let’s see if they can do better without our input.

Will they do better?

Time will tell.

I stayed silent, thinking. I don’t know if I can follow your whole plan. I mean the plan parents gave their children. What if I can’t?

Take your mind out of it and let your heart lead. They will find their way and so will we.

I sighed.

Will you be there to help me?

Yes, I will.

Will you promise to support me even when I make decisions you and the children don’t agree with?

Yes, I will.

I gulped.

My friends say I am a head case.

Maybe.

That’s okay with you?

I was married to a basket case for years, you can’t be any worse.

Will you be patient with me? Not get mad when I say and do stupid things?

Blake laughed, flashing his teeth and making me feel more stupid that I had a right to be. Yes, I will. Okay? no more promises. That’s enough for one night.

All right. I could not mask the redness in my face. I was making bargains that I would have to live with for the rest of my life and I wanted to be sure everything was spelled out. All right.

I stood, causing him to rise in gentlemanly fashion. I had what I needed. He walked me back to the door and I went back in to rest. Maybe now I would sleep without tossing and turning.

In the morning, a horn blew to wake us. It sounded a second time, proving clearly not to be from our small craft. I sprang from my bed and ran up the stairs with others. Excitement was in the air. The horn sounded a third time as I made it past the door. When I looked, I saw what looked to be a fishing boat. It had no sail. All along its sides were crates. Then, I saw them, a group of people. My heart soared with the others. We weren’t alone. Others had made it to our paradise.

Doctor Blake? asked a strange voice over a loud speaker.

Blake waved his hand over his head.

Blake!

Blake waved again and the ship gave a blast of its horn. We ran over the gangplank to meet with them. A nagging suspicion was making its way to the front of my head. I tried ignoring it as the ship came in, but it would not leave me. It became a loud rattling, gnawing at my skull. Something was wrong, but what?

The ship did not slow, instead, it picked up speed. Plumes of smoke came from the rear. That’s it! The children in their excitement hadn’t noticed. I had. The ship was on fire.

Blake! Blake!

He waved me off. The children jumped up and down, chattering away as the runaway ship came into port. We could not see the flames, but the ship was on fire. I pointed to its rear and he nodded, warning me with a look. I stopped and watched with the rest, biting my lip.

The ship hit the dock. It kept going, cutting into the white sandy beach before us. We gasped at the horror. The ship’s bottom hit, flinging those on board away from it. One hit the water, two hit the beach. We ran for them to provide aid.

Simon! Simon!

Simon was ahead of me with our driver, Billy. Both dived into the water. I rushed to get there. A strong hand gripped me. It was Blake. No!

Let me go, that’s my brother!

No!

I moved to get away but he pulled me into him, holding me tightly while I fought. Simon! Simon!

He’s fine, Zora! He’s fine.

Let me go!

No! Stop it! You are acting worse than the children.

You said you would support me. You lied!

I am supporting you. His voice was low, barely audible. Simon is fine and the children are watching you. Stop it!

I gave another attempt at breaking free before stopping. Simon was the only family I had. Zombies took the rest. I prepared to fight again, then Simon emerged from the water. A man struggled to shore between Simon and Billy. I stopped. Only now did I regain my composure. I looked for the other children to see if they were watching me make a fool of myself. Luckily, they were assisting those who landed on the beach.

You can let go now.

Are you sure?

Yes, I’m fine.

Say the magic word.

Let me go.

That’s not it.

"Let me go, please."

It will do for now. He released me.

Thank you.

We are one, Zora. The sooner you accept that the better. Come on, let’s find out what happened.

Doctor Blake and I walked over and met Simon and Billy. The man between them fell. Billy was giving him chest compressions when we arrived. He rolled the man on his side to allow the man to expel the water from his lungs. He coughed as Doctor Blake knelt to check him.

He’ll be fine, said Blake. Take him to the yacht and quarantine him.

We went to check the other two.

How are they? I asked one of our guards.

Fine, ma’am.

They aren’t scratched or bitten?

No ma’am, he said.

I watched as Blake checked them. When finished, he gave me a nod. I breathed easier.

What happened? asked Blake.

Zombies got half our crew, said the first man. He spoke with a Spanish accent. He was the voice over the speaker. Most of our guards and some of the livestock. We saved the youngest four. They are inside the freezer. Get them.

Billy, said Blake.

Yes, sir. Billy and three guards ran toward the ship.

Virginia, Maryland, go with them, please, I said. If zombies were present, I have no doubt the twin sisters would dispose of them with little problem. They were a deadly combination. I watched them run after the soldiers to assist. Then I turned to the man from the ship. Is your ship on fire? I whispered.

He looked at Blake who nodded. Yes, it’s the engines. We burnt them out getting here. You have to get the supplies off before she burns.

Children! Blake rose. Help the soldiers get the supplies off the ship. Take care that no one is injured. Remember, you are the future. Go!

Be careful! I added.

Jones and Brittany helped the second man while Blake and I aided the first. We walked them to our boat and helped them aboard so they could rest. After that, I went back on deck to check the children’s progress. Blake was the Doctor and would see to the crew while I carried out my part of our bargain.

The children from the ship came toward me. They, like the men, were all dark skinned with black hair from their native Mexico. We now had two more boys, one ten the other eleven. The younger traveled with his fraternal twin sister who clutched the hand of a toddler. I smiled brightly as they passed. There would be plenty of time to get to know them, my priority was the ship and its hidden flames. I moved toward it and watched various crates and boxes being placed on the beach.

Before I went below, a gang of four teenagers wielding machetes came toward me. Blood covered them. Two were light skinned with blond hair, a boy and girl with matching blue eyes. Another was a girl with brown hair and a dark skinned boy. All looked at me with the same fierceness our children showed. I gave a warm smile. Hello.

The blond teenage girl spoke for them. We have to guard the children.

Okay. I smiled again and let them pass. They must have been below, fiercely guarding the freezer.

Rather than see a stack of zombie bits I knew to be there, I opted to stay topside. Before I could get my bearings, my old nemesis, Tracey, passed by with Betsy. Each clutched the handle of a cage in each hand, smiling as they passed.

I told you we would have chickens, said Tracey. They will lay lots of eggs.

If they don’t lay eggs, said Betsy, we can eat them. We have pans and grease and forks and stuff. We are taking them to the hotel. They need to be in the dark so they can rest.

All right, hurry back.

It was good to see Betsy motivated after the loss of her sister. It was only a short while ago, but already it seemed as if it were a lifetime ago. Thank god for her resilience.

I moved on, giving a casual glance to the supplies. Remembering the danger of the ship, I had people move all supplies to the outside of the hotel. The large crates were left on board, we had no equipment to move them. Each was carefully opened and its occupant, some animal, was taken to the back of the souvenir shop to a shaded area. I didn’t see them all, but I did see a cow that reminded me of Abby. It brought a smile to my face. I rolled up my sleeves and gave them a hand. When done, we had breakfast. We scavenged what we could from the ship before it flamed up and spent the rest of the day tossing zombie parts into the flames. Better there than into the ocean.

We had a modest late dinner on the beach and treated the whole thing as if it were a giant bonfire. As I recall, Jones made a joke about marshmallows. I insisted we spend the night on the yacht and make a fresh start on the hotel at daybreak. It would require a great deal of cleaning and if we begin at daybreak, the sheets could be washed in the ocean and dried by the wind. The floors could be mopped or rather scrubbed and sanitized and dry by nightfall. I so wanted to imbibe the smell of pine as I slept. To my surprise, no one offered resistance.

Our newest members moved to the hotel and slept there. There was no sense in taking chances with our children. I made a check of them before retiring for the night. They were well, and in the morning, proved to be free of infection. They helped us clean and by nightfall we had all been assigned rooms. All children slept on the hotel’s second floor while we adults spread out on the lower. Zombies would have to go through us to get to the children, and even then, would face machete-wielding psychos.

On our third night, we abandoned the yacht and made the island our permanent home.

Chapter Two: Jolly Good Fellow

Reconciling to our new world took time. I was the last to make the adjustment. Maryland Tapp was first. Naturally, she should be. She was the oldest of us women. I should not say us women, after all there were only three of us at the start: Maryland, Brittany and me. There were others, one of which, a female soldier that made the voyage with us, was lost on our first trip to the coast to forage for supplies.

That first devastating trip cost us most of our company. I’ve had to adjust on the fly which is never easy for me. The others are so much better at that part of surviving than I will ever be. I’m like a slug compared to them.

I will say this; an apocalyptic world has its advantages. You might ask what could they be? Well, for starters, money has no meaning or value. Believe it or not, we work as a unit and jointly own and share everything. On Zombie Earth, we take what we need and leave the rest for the next group that comes along. For instance, our island was a small town in and of itself. It held a small hotel, souvenir shop, church, and police station for tourists that arrived by cruise ship. Being the only people here, it is all ours. The same as it would have been to others had they arrived here first.

That is exactly what we did. We claimed our slice of life here on an island. We converted the hotel into living quarters. It held all the household belongings we needed, everything from blankets for the beds to soap, deodorant, and toothpaste. We live normally.

The downside would be that we quickly ran out of fuel for the generators so there was no power to run things. That left us with solar power only and it was sporadic at best, taking over a month to get online.

Therefore, it was necessary to leave to refill fuel containers and such, so a group of soldiers took the yacht to the coast of Florida. I was no longer a soldier. I stayed behind with the children and waited for them to return. Their mission was to find a port with a giant store or warehouse, load up supplies and return. That is what’s good about the End Times we live in. How would you like to wake up one morning with most of the world’s population gone, but all the stores stocked with supplies? What a field day you would have, pushing your cart up and down aisles, loading it with supplies you needed then topping it off with luxury items. That is today’s world for you. That and zombies.

During that first raid, our party thought they were in the clear