Zombie Invasion

By R.G. Richards

Zombie Invasion (Zora Baker #2)

What does it take to be a hero? Better yet, what does it take to be a survivor of a zombie apocalypse?

What if the zombie virus didn't come from man? Not the government, not doctors, not mad scientists, not radiation. What if it came from space? What if it wasn't a dastardly plan by aliens to clear the Earth for colonization, but instead an accident, bad luck? What can we do?

Book 2 will take a look at the beginnings of Zombie Earth by focusing on the early lives of Zora, Brittany, and Jones and what molds them into the champions they are. It will also reveal the origin of the outbreak, taking the zombie story in a uniquely surprising direction.

This is a prequel and leads up to Zora's arrival at Camp Vix before they begin the adventures of book one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.G. Richards
• Release date: Nov 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301385041

R.G. Richards

R.G. Richards writes Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance novels. He was an enthusiastic reader of tales of foreign lands (China, Japan, Hong Kong), most of which were “borrowed” from his father’s private collection—a big James Clavell fan (Noble House, Shogun). These faraway tales provided the fertile ground which produced a rich imagination capable of spinning strange and unique stories of distant lands and people. Outside of reading and writing, he is a beginning swimmer, a gym hater, and a lover of jokes. If you know a good one, send it his way.

Book preview

ZOMBIE INVASION

By

R.G. Richards

SMASHWORDS EDITION

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

R.G. Richards on Smashwords

Zombie Invasion

Copyright © 2022 by R.G. Richards

Thank You for downloading this ebook. You are welcome to share it with friends. This book may not be copied or reproduced without permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people living or dead is coincidental and unintended. This is a production of the author’s imagination.

*****

Many thanks to all those kind enough to help me finish this book.

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ZOMBIE INVASION

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A NOTE ON CHRONOLOGY

The Zora Baker series contains four books. Zombie Invasion is written in a different style to deliver background information needed for the final book. Characters are sometimes hundreds of miles from one another. Some chapters cover a day, some only hours; others might span days with gaps between. With such a structure, the narrative cannot be strictly sequential; sometimes important things are happening simultaneously at different locations. Eventually, major characters will travel to Camp Vix. These are the stories that happen prior to the adventures of Zombie Zora.

R.G. Richards

Chapter One: April

April Dushell, a beautician at Rita’s Glamoria, lives the slogan, Blonds have more fun. The high point of her life — Homecoming Queen for University of Missouri at St. Louis due to massive illness from food infection while holding the title of Queen of the Festival at her very own Stinwic’s Beauty College. Before that, she won several small contests, including Little Miss America, Miss Missouri Teen, and Miss St. Louis Teen. Before that, she won several small contests, including Little Miss America, Miss Missouri Teen, and Miss St. Louis. Her largest cash reward was for $5,000 as a finalist in the state’s Miss Missouri contest. She was hoping to win and move on to the Miss America contest, but that dream ended with her loss.

April took her prize money and opened a beauty parlor with four other women from her college. Each pledged $5,000 and the shop was up and running. April still had a penchant for the pageant circuit and from time to time she left her duties to chase her dream at a nearby event. Unfortunately, her string of successes ended and she faced the fact that this was her life and it would not get any better.

After five long years, life took a turn for the worse. April was in debt and about to lose everything. Time away from work cost her money, so she resorted to selling pieces of her share of the shop to fund her failed trips. She told herself it would be all right, she would win the next one and live the good life. It was all for naught. She had no money and several problems to boot. The more she thought of her problems the more she drank. When booze wasn’t handy, drugs filled the bill. April didn’t discriminate; anything she could swallow, inhale, or shoot into her body gave her relief from her tragic life.

To add insult to injury, today happens to be another Monday, a workday. The day was cold. She wore a patched coat she got from Goodwill. Her once golden locks now lay pressed under a wool hat. She didn’t have time to fix her hair and planned to wear her stocking cap all day long. It matched her tracksuit and she could claim it was the latest style from her magazines.

April?

Damn, April said under her breath. She barely made it through the door when Mary stopped her.

Did you say something? asked Mary.

No, Mary, I didn’t say a word. April gave a pleasant smile. How are you today, Mary?

I’m just wonderful. How ‘bout yourself?

April wondered how this mealy-mouth woman gained the upper hand over her. They had all put in equal amounts of money to start the shop, yet somehow the others deferred to her and elected her queen. She was the only queen in the shop—the best looking, most athletic, and most desired.

Since they began cutting men’s hair, the men had lined up to sit in April’s chair. She knew how to pamper men, yet women refused to recognize her dominance. Her partners somehow preferred to elect the shop’s troll over her and the troll never let her forget it. How ‘bout yourself? You bitch!

I’m wonderful, Mary, life is a peach.

April gave her best smile. Through clenched teeth she radiated a glow to mask her loathing for the woman.

Your rent is due by the end of the week, said Mary. We can’t take any more excuses. I hope that’s not a problem for you.

April chuckled. No problem, Mary.

Mary waddled off and April went to her station. Her steady stream of customers had dwindled with time. Secretly she suspected Mary, Sonya, and Elizabeth of stealing them away. It’s very odd that she lost most of her clients after events beyond her control, for instance, the time her doctor put her on bed rest for a week because of a bleeding ulcer. Never again would she take drinks from strangers or make the rounds to every open bar on Ladies Night. Then there was the time she went on the pageant circuit, only to return to clients who had made mysterious changes to their personal schedules, no longer free to sit in her chair.

Life had become a rat race and Mary was the chief rat.

April picked up her towel and dusted her chair, hopefully she would have a customer soon.

I would have hit that old goat in the gap between her two front teeth.

April looked up. It was the only partner still friendly to her, Deidre Spire. She looked at the woman in Deidre’s chair. She came over and stood next to her. Hey, Dee, what’s up?

Not a thang girl. Why you keep letting that wanch talk to you like that? Dee put her hand on her hip, waiting for an answer.

You know she wants to kick me out. She is just biding her time, waiting until Friday to lower the boom.

How much have you saved, girl?

Maybe half. She took in a shaky breath. It’s been slow.

What are you going to do ‘bout the rent?

I don’t know. She won’t take half and she won’t give me more time. Why did you guys put her in charge anyway?

It wasn’t me, girl. I hate that cow. She is the only one who took accounting classes and can keep the books. I think she blackmailed the others into voting for her. Enough ‘bout her, what the hell you gonna do come Friday?

April sighed. I wish I knew.

Well here, you can take one of these off my hands.

Two of Dee’s waiting customers read newspapers. She motioned for the first to go and sit in April’s chair.

Thanks, girl.

No problem.

The woman for April’s chair wore a fur coat. She was a medium-sized woman who wore jewelry everywhere the eye could see: a pearl necklace, diamond earrings, a brooch on her dress, and the hat she removed had a golden bird on its side. April helped her out of her coat and noticed three rings on each hand. How easy it would be to take one, they must be worth a fortune.

April put the sheet around the woman and began trimming her hair. Minutes later, April got a pleasant surprise when the door opened. In came her five-year-old daughter, Brittany. The little girl wore a coat and carried a Barbie lunch box. She reached high in an effort to hang her coat on the tall coatrack but fell short of accomplishing her task. Mary walked by and took the coat and hung it up. She patted the little girl on her head and turned and smirked at April.

April shivered. The uneasy feeling filtered down her body and produced a slight shaking in her hand. From experience, it would take a minute to go away. She smiled at Mary and went back to clipping her customer’s hair. Though she worked on her customer, her eyes stayed on the little feet coming toward her.

Momma?

April saw matching golden locks and blue eyes. The upturned face was all aglow. Eyes wide as saucers took in her mother’s form. Her neatly-pressed, little, white dress displayed a blue bow on the right side. Her little black shoes shined and she wore her best white ankle socks.

Hey, baby, you ready for school?

Yes, momma.

Have a seat, honey. Your bus will be out front in thirty minutes. Open your coloring book and color while you wait, okay?

Okay, momma.

Little Brittany opened the drawer on the small desk her mother bought for her and took out her Princess coloring book and box of sixty-four crayons. She sat behind her desk. The small desk faced the door so she could look up and see her bus coming. Brittany chose a Princess with a wand to color.

Is that your daughter? asked the woman April worked on.

Yes, that’s my little Britt Britt.

How old is she?

Five.

She is quite lovely.

Thank you.

You know what? I am on my way to Kansas City to attend a children’s pageant. I bet your daughter could win. Of course, she would need the right clothes and hair. Does she have a talent?

You are talking about a beauty pageant?

Yes, there is one this Thursday night that I’m going to.

She is way too young for those things. I know. I won several a few years back.

Well, your loss, the winner gets $5,000.

April finished the woman’s hair. She pulled off the cover and the woman stood. She opened her purse and paid April and walked toward the door. She stopped and appraised Brittany for a second. Pity.

Wait, said April. She came alongside the woman to whisper to keep the others from hearing. She hated how the shop folk stayed in her private business. What age-group are you talking about?

She is a year behind the others. Her age-group is four to six in the Little Miss Precious Pageant.

Does it lead to a bigger contest?

The woman opened her purse. She handed April a card. She can win easily. She will need the right clothes and a talent. Why don’t you call me sometime next week and we can talk. I have to get going or I’ll be late.

What? What about this pageant? You said she could win. April’s mouth went dry.

The woman appraised her willing victim with a treacherous grin. Finally, she made her offer. I will loan you what she needs, but you will pay me back whether she wins or not. Is that understood?

Fine. I want in on this pageant. We could use the money.

April hated she said that last bit. Those words have always gotten her into trouble. Don’t show vulnerability, she thought. Too late. She gave a nervous smile and hoped the woman would be a friend and not take advantage of her like the troll.

The woman looked at Brittany coloring. April saw a glint that gave her pause. What if the woman sensed desperation and was reeling her in? She watched the woman click her tongue.

I’m staying at the Empire, room 614. Be there by nine o’clock tonight and you can ride to Kansas City with me. Don’t be late.

The woman left. April stared at the business card. Mildred Threeton, pageant consultant. April smiled. This Mildred was the answer to her prayers.

That night, April rode in a cab that dropped her and Brittany off at the Empire hotel. She rarely went to this part of town. There was no need, this section was for tourists and travelers staying overnight in St. Louis. She had spent a night in one of these fancy hotels, long ago. An old boyfriend brought her to this very hotel after graduation. It’s possible she conceived Brittany during that visit.

Brittany held her mother’s hand as they walked into the hotel. April was out of time and this would be her Hail Mary pass. Their futures depended on Brittany winning a beauty pageant, and why shouldn’t she? She was the daughter of a beauty queen.

April rode the elevator up to the sixth floor. They exited and looked for the correct room number. There was no turning back from this adventure. With a heavy heart, she knocked on the door.

Hey, you made it. Come on in. Mildred opened the door wide.

Thank you, said April. After the door closed, she brought her daughter forward. This is my little sunshine, Brittany. Brittany, can you say hello to the nice lady?

Hello, said a squeaky voice.

Mildred bent and spoke lovingly to the small child.

Well, hello dear. My name is Mildred. Do you know what a beauty pageant is?

Yes, said Brittany, her smile bright.

Oh, you’re going to love it. You get to wear pretty dresses and wear crowns that only a princess wears. Do you like that?

Yes.

Very good. My car is downstairs. Let’s get going, we have a ways to go to get there.

Mildred opened the door and they left. April’s heart filled with equal amounts of joy and fear. The trepidation of starting a new life weighed on her. She took care of all her business after Brittany left for school. The mail had been stopped. Dee took what few customers she had for the rest of the week. She notified the school Brittany would be out for the rest of the week due to personal business, and she managed to duck the landlord. As she climbed into the car beside Mildred, she hoped she had done the right thing and prayed for a happy outcome. The car started and they were off.

Chapter Two: Brittany

The whole car ride to the pageant, Brittany thought of how valuable she was and how important she was to her family. April told her she was beautiful and because she existed, April existed. As long as Brittany was alive in the world, so was her mother. April told the little girl that to be remembered, she had to be like her. She had to win contests and then have a beautiful daughter to pass her good looks down to. Only then would she be remembered forever and ever. Though the young girl couldn’t fully understand, she knew she looked like her mother. Maybe when she was old like her, she could be mistaken for her. Was that what she was trying to say? Brittany hated when her mother talked like that, it was usually when she had been drinking her nasty drinks.

Brittany readied for her pageant debut. Her mother stayed with her, but left her in the care of two other women. April sat on the couch, watching. Mildred sent a man in with a tray of donuts and cookies. He sat the tray on the table in front of April, bowed and left. The cookies fascinated Brittany. She had never seen cookies of this type—people shaped cookies. When she looked closer, she inferred they were pageant contestants like her. Each cookie wore a dress of candies with an icing sash and a crown of sugar. To bite one of the richly decorated cookies would be heaven. Brittany broke away from the pawing women to have one.

Brittany! No! No sweets. You will pick up fifty pounds eating one of these. April scolded with a cookie in her thin hand. No eating until after you win. And if you lose, you get nothing. Get back over there and let them make you beautiful.

Okay, momma, she begrudgingly said. The words crushed her little soul. One cookie couldn’t do all that, could it? Her mother was beautiful so she should know, she thought. She reluctantly went with the women, but eyed the cookies all the more. Just one, if I could only have a small bite of just one. That wouldn’t hurt me, would it?

April bit into her cookie. Brittany watched. She was correct, it was heaven.

If not for the pawing women who pulled at her clothes, it would be her devouring that cookie. Instead, fueled by her anger and hunger, Brittany resisted the women and fought. She screamed, stop it! it was hard to fight against them, they were tall and strong and when they grabbed her arms it hurt.

Brittany! April yelled, you stop it right now before I come over there and tan your hide!

They’re taking my clothes, mommy. Make them stop!

April rose from the couch with fire in her eyes. She went over and slapped Brittany across her face. The little girl sniffled.

Don’t you dare cry and embarrass me, said April through gritted teeth. Cookie crumbs dripped from the corner of her mouth. Delicious cookie crumbs. You stand there and you let them make you beautiful so you can win. You hear me? You stand there and be quiet.

Brittany started to speak. She stopped when April’s hand went high in the air above her small head. She looked at the hand and cringed. She held her tongue. All that she could do was nod.

About time, said April.

April marched back to her seat and picked up another of the delicious cookies. She leaned back and let the great taste wash over her. Moments later, the man returned and this time he carried a platter with two tiny glasses. I know them, thought Brittany. Mommy calls them shotty glasses. He placed the tray in front of her mother, next to the cookies. He bowed and left. April downed both in succession. She picked up another cookie and gave an evil eye to her daughter to make sure she behaved.

Now that they had Brittany out of her clothes, all save her underwear, one held her arm out while the other sprayed her with chemicals from a contraption she held in her hand. It was sticky and twice the little girl tried pulling away in revolt. One look from her mother and she stopped. They sprayed her with a spray-on tan. When finished, not only was her little skin covered with a bronze sheen, but so was the top and bottom part of her panties. If not for the cap they placed upon her, her hair would have received the same rich sheen.

Next, Brittany dressed in a large bath towel and sat in a tall chair. She dangled her feet, reflecting how they didn’t touch the floor. She was happy to sit after standing for what felt like days in front of a smelly fan. One woman came to her and looked her up and down. Brittany didn’t like the way she stared at her. Finally, the woman took the cap off her hair and a new woman came in, clicking her tongue.

I think I will go big and curly, said the woman. Yes, those cutsie blond curls will give you an advantage over the other girls. But first, we better get you in your dress. I don’t want my good work messed up later. Bonnie?

Yeah, said the woman who sprayed Brittany.

Put her in her dress before I start. She’s dry enough. Get her a bathrobe to cover the dress.

All right, said Bonnie.

Bonnie left. She returned to the room carrying a black bag. She unzipped it and took out a beautiful white dress. The others gathered, blocking April’s view. They hurried and put the dress on the little girl. They then brought in a bathrobe and put it on top of the dress. When they moved, April got a brief look at her daughter’s dress.

April came closer and saw the designer label. I was Homecoming Queen, two years running, she proudly gave the women her credentials. In all my pageant days I never wore a designer label, especially a Versace. She smiled at her daughter.

Have a seat, said Bonnie. It will be another hour before Sandy finishes.

April devoured three more of the delicious cookies.

Brittany stood and removed her robe.

Wow, said April, overcome with joy, I couldn’t see while you dressed her, but now, that is the most . . .

It’s an original, said Bonnie. We are going for a ‘Pretty Woman’ theme.

Oh, that sounds nice, said April. She will be sensational. I wish it could be me.

They put a larger size robe on their creation.

Sandy went to work on Brittany’s long blond hair. She clipped the ends that ran midway down the girl’s back and then pushed them up. She pushed Brittany’s hair high and used an assortment of pins, spray, and gel to hold it in place. It felt heavy to Brittany. She wondered how it would feel when she touched it. It took hours to put the curls in place. When finished, the hairdo resembled a beehive in the back with curls running down all sides. The front and sides were straight and ran down the side of her face, ending in large curls.

Sandy left and a new woman came in with a makeup box. She held Brittany’s chin and tilted her head. Brittany hated the pulling, but kept her mouth shut so as not to anger her. The woman was big with a strong manly grip and foul breath. The best solution was to think of winning the contest and picturing herself with the crown, then the delicious cookies. She did just that while the woman decided on a style and jerked her head around. Finally, the woman opened her giant makeup box and went to work. Makeup took half an hour and Brittany was happy to see her leave.

Brittany sat in the chair alone. All the women left. The fairy princess scenario lost its luster. It was too much work. She was not having any fun and wanted to go home.

April rose with the smell of whiskey on her breath. She stumbled to her daughter.

What’s the matter, baby?

I wanna go home, momma.

She sat in her tall chair, tugging at her dress.

Stand up, baby.

Brittany stood and April took the robe off to get a full look at the designer dress. The dress was spectacular. The top was sleeveless, tight fitting with lace and clung to Brittany’s upper body. The lower half spread out like an elegant gown.

April carefully wiped a stray tear forming in Brittany’s right eye. She had to be extra careful so as not to ruin the perfect makeup job the woman had given her. Brittany’s lips were ruby red. Makeup made her rosy cheeks even rosier. The eyeliner gave the young girl too much of an adult look. Still, when she closed her blue painted eyelids, she became a little angel again.

April led Brittany to a full-length mirror and stood behind her. You are beautiful, baby. You are a vision. We came here to make money. If we leave now, we won’t have a home to go back to. We have to stay, baby. This contest will make us rich and all you have to do is be yourself, baby. Just be beautiful in this beautiful dress. You are helping your family, baby. I want you to walk out on stage in a few minutes and smile. That’s all you have to do to win.

Okay, momma.

Come on, baby, it won’t be long.

Guiding her by her hand, April led her daughter through a door. They were on the backstage with curtains in front of them. All around them were the sounds of the pageant. Above them lights flickered on and off and they heard cheering. Peeking through the curtains, they saw a girl walking back and forth on the main stage. Brittany’s little stomach churned.

You see her, honey? April whispered in her daughter’s ear. You walk out like her and walk back and forth across the stage. Then you come back here to me and it will all be over, okay?

Okay, momma.

Mildred found them peeking through the curtain. Hey, you two. You’re up in ten minutes. Come on, get in line.

Mildred pinned a number on Brittany and lined her up behind another girl. The numbers looked upside down and Brittany couldn’t count that high. She