Zombie Vegas! Book 1

By David N. Brown

In a world overrun by plague and madness, a young man with many weaknesses and exceptional talents leads his new family to reach a legendary city where casinos have become castles against the pandemic. Their path leads them through zombies, gushers, lepers, and bikers, into a besieged city where worldly luxuries and life-saving supplies are guarded by Andy Capp, Mothman, Jack Ketch and the unseen terrors of the Mechanic and Clan Tweedle. But the greatest threats of all may come from the band's own pasts, and the end of their battles may not find them on the same side.

Contents originally published as:
Zombie Vegas: Honeymoon to Vegas
Zombie Vegas 2: Fear and Loafing in Las Vegas
Zombie Vegas 3: Breaking Up in Vegas

• Language: English
• Publisher: David N. Brown
• Release date: Sep 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465811431

David N. Brown

David N. Brown is a nearly lifelong Resident of Mesa, Arizona, with longstanding interests in science and technology,folklore and disability issues. He earned a bachelor's degree in paleontology from Northern Arizona University in 2005 and a Master's degree in Christian Studies from Denver Seminary in 2013. His first books, Worlds of Naughtenny Moore and Walking Dead, were originally published in 2006 and 2007 by Open Page Publishing, a venture with Brandon Willey, Kara Willey Warren and syndicated cartoonist Tony Carillo. In 2009, he began self-publishing through Amazon, and also created the autism resource site www.evilpossum.weebly.com. He has contributed to sites including fanfiction.net, ravendays.org, and leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk.

Book preview

Naming Names

For the first time in almost two months, lights blazed in a southern outlier of the LA metropolitan area. The source was an abandoned amusement park, where lights glowed and rides ran, all without the benefit of any patrons except for lesioned, blood-spattered figures that wandered about, feeding on a larger number of their own dead.

In the deeper night beyond the city limits, two sparks of light lit the road ahead of a large SUV. Four people sat within, a young man, a young woman, an older man and a girl on the verge of womanhood. A week before, they had been two pairs of wayfarers, alone in a world destroyed by a pestilence that brought madness and bloodshed along with death. They had not given each other their names, but made up new ones on the spot, not meaning to hold them long. Now, the woman stopped the car and said, I've been thinking... if we stay together, we shouldn't keep using the same names. It's not just about being more open Those names are where we'd been, or wanted to go when we were going it alone. So let's settle on some new names, our names. It doesn't have to be `real', it just needs to mean something special. So I'll start, since two of you already know... I'm Krista. With a K. Krista Kansas, maybe.

The girl, introduced as her sister and always as close as a sister, said thoughtfully, Well... I'd like to go to Montana some day... But a place I always thought sounded nice was Abilene. Pretty name, at least. So, I'll go with that. Abilene Texas. The young man looked a little sorrowful.

You can keep calling me Tal- just Tal, said the older man. It occurred to the young man then that his companion had a nose of a size and certain shape that came close to what was thought of as Jewish, and he recalled the name of a famous Israeli general.

The others looked expectantly at him. You can call me Austin, he said, and hurriedly added, Texas.

Survivors of the Apocalypse

(Voice of Austin)

The virus that causes Human Psychotic Necrotizing Encephalopathy is believed to have originated from contaminated Mexican livestock feed. Because of its fast-acting nature, it was quickly detected, and most infected livestock and contaminated meat were quickly destroyed. But one batch reached Joe's Gas 'N Gulp in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At least fifty people were infected before health authorities shut down the station. By then it was too late. Poor Sooner bastards. (Sooner Schooner overturned by zombies.)

The virus causes damage both internal and external, particularly severe lesions of the skin and massive inflammation of the brain. Victims become hyperagressive toward all humans not already infected. They become insensitive to pain (zombie burns face trying to eat off hot skillet) but more sensitive to light (zombies run toward, then stagger away from, Luxor light), sound (zombies converge on man dialing cell phone), and smell. (Zombie sniffs man in zombie makeup, then attacks him.) A growing body of evidence suggests that attacks on uninfected humans are based less on the desire for food than an extreme form of intraspecies aggression. When they only want food, studies suggest they prefer peanut butter.

Symptoms of the virus manifest between 4 and 24 hours after exposure. Type I infections, believed to represent about 50% of cases, produce symptoms quickly. The especially sudden onset of inflammation in the brain makes them the most violent but least intelligent of the infected. (Zombie bares its teeth at own reflection, then attacks the mirror.) The infection is fatal within days or even hours. 50-60% of the infected not killed by other causes are believed to have expired in this manner. (Zombie keels over and lands on a pile of other, deceased zombies.)

Type II infections, believed to represent 30-40% of cases, result in a slower deterioration of the brain. They lose whatever skills and intelligence remain. (Zombie struggles to push open a door. Sign: PULL.) They may even become docile and responsive to commands. This is a danger in itself, as it may blind others to the fact that they are contagious. (Man calls female zombie toward him.)

Type III infections, representing at least 10% of cases, represent the greatest long-term threat. Deterioration of the brain is slow and plateaus at a relatively early stage. This leaves them with a relatively high intelligence, including tool-using abilities. (Zombie fractures car window with rock.) They remain aggressive in their pursuit of the uninfected, and are able to exercise tactics and planning in carrying out this pursuit. (Man running from group of zombies is attacked by one that lunges at him from a doorway as he passes.)

In the face of a zombie threat, the key to survival is discipline, planning and best of all, a list of rules, like mine...

Cardio!

Beware of bathrooms.

Double Tap.

Buckle up.

Run, don't hide.

Wear long shirt sleeves and pant legs.

Travel light.

Don't stock up on food while hungry.

Always check expiration dates.

If you must choose between food and bullets, take the bullets. They're harder to find.

Don't pass up a chance to stock up on paper towels.

Keep quiet and blend in.

Knock before entering.

If they talk, talk. If they don't talk, shoot.

Sleep outdoors.

One is safer than one of two.

Don’t be a hero.

Limber up.

It's not worth sprinting if you don't have a place to sprint to.

Keep an eye out for quality footwear.

Know your sizes before you go into a clothing store.

Plan your escape.

Stay on the ground floor.

Beware of malls, department stores and especially department stores in malls.

Beware of elevators.

Zombies can be evaded by running up a down escalator.

Blood pressure machines are death traps.

Don't drive a car without checking the fuel gauge.

Also check the condition of the tires.

Always know where your car keys are.

Check the back seat.

When You Were Running...: California Adventure

When it was over and they could talk about it

She said there's just one thing I have got to know

What in that moment when you were running so hard and fast

Made you stop and turn for home

He said I always knew you loved me even though I'd broken your heart

I always knew there'd be a place for me to make a brand new start

Oh love wash over a multitude of things

Love wash over a multitude of things

Make us whole

1. Savior, jerk

Week 12, Day 7

As the morning dawned, Abilene went from the shotgun seat by her sister's side to stretch out on the third row of seats. Krista wordlessly invited Austin to come forward. She had only known the man beside her a week, but she was pretty sure she was already falling in love with him. Previously, she had sought out what her sister sarcastically called bad boys. What that really meant to her was a man who took care of himself, gave her a good time, and didn't come with strings attached.

Austin wasn't like that. He needed taking care of, but he cared about taking care of her. She was increasingly confident that, behind the layers of phobias and general anxiety, he had more courage than any man she had ever met. In the hours since he had saved her life, and gotten an epic kiss in return, she was seeing him differently, and it seemed to her he was acting differently. There was much to like in the new Austin... but one thing she didn't like was the way he looked at her now. What? she said.

He started. Hm? He had both of the strings from his jacket in his mouth, and a silly-sad expression. She sighed and tried to keep her vision and mental focus on the road straight ahead. But soon, her eyes drifted toward him, until she had to correct to keep on the road. What's wrong? he said.

She almost shrieked, `What's wrong'?! Why do you keep looking at me like that?

He looked surprised and hurt. I wasn't- I mean, I didn't know... What did I do?

You've been staring at me...

Maybe... But what's wrong if I watch you? You're beautiful, and I like you and you like me.

She straightened her back and squirmed against the seat. "Yeah, but you're staring. It gets on my nerves. You look like you're about to either cry or try to shove your tongue down my throat."

If something's bothering you, I'll try not to do it, but I really don't understand what you mean. He started to add. Besides- you put y-

Just look out the window. He actually did, which only made things more irritating. Austin... get back in the back.

Later, Austin and Kansas sat together in the rear seat, holding hands and gazing into each others' eyes. You are beautiful, he said, brushing back her hair.

She ran a hand through his hair, playfully squeezing whole handfuls of his curls. And you are pretty cute.

Move over, Abilene said. She plopped herself in the middle seat between them, and soon enough fell asleep on Kansas's shoulder. Kansas glanced at Austin, and smiled. She then removed her arm from around her sister to reach for him. He reached out and took her hand, and let their joined hands drop to the seat. Abilene's eyes suddenly opened very wide. Eeww! You freak! she screeched at Austin.

Whoa! What's the ruckus back there? Tal said.

"Austin touched my butt!" Abilene said indignantly.

It was an accident, Austin said. He and Kansas drew back their hands as if they had touched a hot stove. Kansas put her head in her hands.

Abilene looked even more indignant when Tal only chuckled. Bit of a hazard where you're sitting. Maybe you an' Kansas should trade seats.

Kansas put an arm around her sister. I'm sure he's very sorry, she said, then looked expectantly at Austin. A smile became a scowl as he only stared blankly back.

What? he said. It was an accident. What else is there to say? He then added, wincing even as he spoke, Besides, it was your idea. Kansas gazed sternly ahead. Abilene scooted closer to her sister, and gave Austin an angry and disgusted look. Shut up, Austin muttered.

What??

Nothing. Abilene rested against her sister again. She looked very upset, and disappointed too, but when she saw how angry her sister was, her expression evened out. As she closed her eyes, her expression briefly showed as a gleeful, triumphant smirk.

18 hours after escaping the amusement park, the four companions were northbound, and back in the LA metropolitan area, with Tal at the wheel. It took less time than this to cross Arizona, Abilene complained.

Yeah, said Tal, but then, we weren't hemmed in! He pushed between two wrecks, gritting his teeth as twisted metal scraped the beautiful paint of his black caddy. In the rear seat, Krista pressed closer against Austin. As she shifted, the SUV jolted. Tal laughed as he plowed through a pack of zombies, then yelped as a zombie bounced off the hood, and cried out in terror as the SUV jumped a median. Kansas was pitched halfway into the front seat, where she hit her head on the gear shift.

Tal cried out again at the sudden shift in gears, and Kansas swore when he pulled the gearshift back, not only hitting her head again but getting her hair caught in the mechanism. Only Abilene's quick action with a pair of scissors allowed her sister to get back to her seat without Tal stopping the SUV.

While Kansas clutched at her bruised temple, Abilene glared at Austin. Why didn't you catch her?

Austin waved his hands in an exaggerated gesture of helplessness. How? I was buckled in.

2. Internal criticism

Week 13, day 1

Kansas awoke at the touch of Austin's hand on her thigh. She was laid out on the rear seat, her head in his lap. She smiled and stretched before opening her eyes, expecting to find him gazing down at her in his annoying but mildly flattering way. Instead, he was gazing at the window frame with a strange look on his face.

This was the most exasperating thing about new Austin. She still could not decide what to make of his expression. Sadness? Fear? Perhaps anger? She reached up and chucked his chin. He responded as if to an irritating insect. What's on your mind? she asked.

Nothing. He leaned back, and listened, to something he knew no one else could hear...

Hey. Been a long time since we talked, said the Voice. He did not perceive it as sound he actually heard. Yet, it was a voice, with tone and pitch and inflection, and it seemed completely beyond his control. He thought in answer, You aren't real. Never said I was. I got over you, almost ten years ago. The Voice had started during middle school. He had never believed that it was anything but a fragment of his own psyche, which had not made things the slightest bit better. By the time he was finishing high school, it simply stopped. "Nah, we just didn't have anything more to talk about. Now we do.

Now, about this chick: This is going to last one month, tops. A week is more like it. Any day now, it could end. She's kind to me. She's a kind person. There was laughter in his mind. You remember the way she looked when she had a gun on you. She liked it. She still would. No, she's changed. "No, you just got on her good side. Girls all have a good side. That's why they're the ones who hurt you most. They're all nice, when their best girl friends aren't around, or they need help with science homework, or they're trying to get their old boyfriends jealous. Then they get what they really want, and you're history."

Silence. It's not like you're even her first choice, even in a field of two. You know what she really likes. He has it, you don't. You think she didn't go for him first? Shut up. Who do you think is doing the talking?

They finally made a rest stop. For once, there were no zombies in evidence, except for one that had been crushed while raiding a vending machine. Rule 39, Austin muttered as he wrote. Beware... of... vending machines.

I wonder what's in there, Tal said.

Good lord, Kansas said. Austin? She looked around, but didn't see him.

Austin relieved himself as quickly as possible, then darted back to the SUV. He looked both ways: Tal was nowhere in sight, nor Krista. He needed a break from people, especially her, and his best shot was to drive. He got in the car, buckled in the driver's seat and let out something between a sigh and a whistle. He yelped when he was rapped behind the ear with the handle of a golf club. Only then did he see Abbie slouched in the seat behind him.

Keep your hands off my sister, she said succinctly. He started to mutter something back. She hit him again, a little harder. I know how things work, and I know you aren't good for my sister. Oh, and by the way- her name's not Krista.

Really? he said. She nodded confidently. Yeah? I can always ask her, you know, he said. His expression was one of disappointment, but not surprise. She responded with a poke to the back of his neck.

Yeah? Sure, that sounds like a great plan, she said. She deftly managed a painful ear flick. "Then she will know you don't trust her or me." She gave him a sound bonk on the top of his head. He grabbed for the club, unsuccessfully, then undid the belt and turned to reach for her. She reversed the club and brandished the head in warning.

What's your problem? he shouted indignantly. "I've tried to be nice to you, and you were nice to me. But ever since I kissed your sister you've been mean when we're alone and given me the cold shoulder the rest of the time. What is it? You think I'm not good enough for her?"

She struck, not at him but at the door frame, and did it hard enough to dent the metal. Austin half-rose, now staring in outright shock. You don't get it! she screeched. "She has a few different names she uses, and which one she tells a guy is one of the ways she lets me know her read on 'im. You know what it means when she tells a guy her name's Krista? It means she really likes him. And if the guy's smart- but they hardly ever are- he bails. Because no matter how hard she tries, my sister is even worse for the guys she stays with than the ones she robs and leaves. I love her, but I know her, and deep down she knows that as well as I do. So get a clue, and get out!" She abruptly lowered the club.

Hey, guys, Kansas said as she got in the shotgun seat. What have you been doing?

Playing the quiet game, Abbie said with a smirk.

It was a while longer before Tal returned, carrying a load of chips and peanuts, but with a mournful look on his face. Only one thing from Hostess in the machine, he said, "and it was raspberry pies!"

3. The Caddy

Week 13, Day 2

By the time they were back out of LA, the SUV had suffered a substantial amount of damage, including a spiderwebbed windshield. As they drove north, they entered a harsher terrain of hills and cliffs, and the zombies thinned out. Now, Tal pulled onto a narrow turnoff, where a sign said: Hank's Specialty Autobody. Where are we going? Abilene said.

It's a place I heard of, Tal said, where they do very special stuff with cars. He pulled to a stop. Here we are. The best custom offroad vehicle shop in the country!

Hank's garage was located on a decidedly inaccessible hilltop, as if to announce that those who could not or would not make their way there were unworthy of the shop's services. The only sign of zombie activity were the carcasses of a pack of zombies crushed by very large wheels. The buildings at the site consisted of a garage with berths for up to ten vehicles, an adjoining two-floor office, and a second building apparently filled with parts. Tal checked the office first, and found a note: Sorry for the mess, but I had to run. Bill, the parts you requested are in, but I wasn't able to call. Tom, sorry, but I couldn't fix the manifold blockage. Arnold, your order is complete. I'm driving it to the location we agreed upon. Anyone else, take whatever you need, but make sure you know what to do with it. *Hank.

Tal cracked his knuckles and donned his drinking cap, a helmet with cup holders. Time to see what we can do to make the Caddy better. The SUV's insides had already been modified. It had 4-wheel drive, a 31-gallon tank and a hybrid engine that gave 20 miles to the gallon. The first of their own further alterations was rearranging the seats. The middle of three rows of seats was subtracted, and the third was moved forward to take its place. This left an enlarged hold that could function as a camper shell.

While Tal continued to work, Krista and Austin entered a storage area looking for camping supplies. Austin wandered straight into a dim room, while Krista fumbled for a light switch. Watch out! he called to her. Before she could respond, a hand gripped her ankle. She screeched and stamped twice before retreating to the door. Austin fired once. She finally found the light switch and flipped it on. Her boyfriend winced at the light. She looked down, to see a slain zombie with a broken back, nearly at her feet. Austin picked up a shovel and struck it in the head.

Jesus! she said. You could see in that? He only shrugged. They picked out new additions, and began carrying them out: a satellite dish, a folding table, two air mattresses, a two-burner stove and a mini-fridge that they wheeled out on a dolly.

Replacing the windshield came next, and the rest of the window followed. The warehouse had a large cache of bullet-proof glass. Abilene confirmed its properties by jumping up and down on the windshield. Tal made the changes with skill and speed, and excitement, and Abbie happily joined in.

Hey, where did Krista and Austin go? Abbie asked as they finished. She glowered when Tal smirked.

Meanwhile, Austin and Krista lay inside a trailer in the garage, still having done nothing but talk. It's pretty quiet in here, Krista said. It must be sound-proofed. We could ride in this. Mobile honeymoon suite, maybe?

Austin accepted a peck on the cheek. So, he said, you are my girlfriend, right?

Yeah, Krista said. After a moment, she added, Have you ever had a girlfriend before? He shook his head, then glanced at her. Yeah... Well... I don't know, she said. I mean, I've gone out with guys, but most of the time we both knew it was nothing serious.

Next came the biggest job. Tal decided to put in new wheels with heavy-duty tires, but they were so much larger than the standard ones they could only be fitted after the vehicle received a suspension lift. Tal was more than willing to do both. Even working from a suspension lift kit, replacing the suspension was a very time-consuming job.

At noon, Tal and Abilene had been working for two hours, and the job was not quite halfway done. They took a break for lunch, and Tal decided he ought to make sure the girl knew some things. You do know, he said, about birds and the bees? Babies and so forth?

She scrunched her nose in a hint of distaste. I'm twelve, not two, she said. Anyway, Kansas doesn't do that.

Tal smiled at her expense.You sure?

Of course I'm sure, Abbie said. Tal paused for a sip from one of the cans. The girl continued, "My sister's never even been all the way with a guy. She told me, do things for the boys, not with them..." Tal did a spit take.

I guess I was never sure what love was supposed to be about, Krista said, and I was never sure it really mattered. The way I grew up, I didn't dream about falling madly in love with Prince Charming. I dreamed about shacking up with a guy in a house where roaches don't run for cover every time the lights go on. I decided I could settle for a fling every month or so with a guy who could give me a good time.

`Bad boys'?

Yeah, Krista said. I guess what that really meant for me was no strings attached. They just didn't care if I stayed with them or not.

When the lift was done, almost a foot had been added to the SUV's height. Tal and Abbie followed that up by massively fortifying the body of the SUV. The upper part of the body was covered with an external rollover cage, complete with bars over the windshield, topped by a reinforced cargo rack. Wire mesh went over