Kill Happy

By R.G. Richards

Kill Happy (Zora Baker #3)

Deeply moving and extraordinarily suspenseful, Kill Happy captures the struggle between saving the remnants of humanity and satisfying personal desires. This is an apocalyptic thriller mixed with rip roaring humor.

If you thought "Children of the Corn" were bad, wait until you meet these children. They are strong willed and have a plan. Zombies have destroyed mankind, but these children have prepared. They are the new generation and have crafted a New Eden to repopulate the world away from the zombie scourge. Their Adam and Eve scenario can work, except some backward thinking adults think the plan is barbaric and must be stopped. They believe the children don't know what they are doing and are being led astray by possible pedophiles with hidden motives. What would you do if in this new brave world?

Something strange is happening. It's not the constant zombie threat, this is something new, something sinister. Camp Brandt's children are Kill Happy and long to slash a zombie with their machetes. But that's not it, not entirely. Zora Baker keeps hearing the phrase "We're the Future." From adults it is wrong, but from the children, eerie.

The evil Doctor Blake is doing something to the kids, Zora (Zee) knows it in her gut. These kids are already dealing with the loss of their parents - eaten by zombies. Now they have to be subjected to God knows what from a monster like Blake.

The children are aglow with their blind worship of the man. Is it a cult or other nefarious activity that has ensnared these innocents? Zee knows it's not right and she is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and set these kids free. If that means putting Blake down, she will.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.G. Richards
• Release date: Feb 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301432455

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

KILL HAPPY

By

R.G. Richards

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

R.G. Richards on Smashwords

Kill Happy

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.

Your support for this author’s work is greatly appreciated.

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.

If you like this work, please post a review so others may find it.

*****

KILL HAPPY

*****

KILL HAPPY

Chapter 1

Decisions

Imagine the world as you know it has ended, and you are one of the unfortunates: you survived. Where would you go? What would you do to stay alive? Can you stay alive? Well, I’m the person who will try to answer those questions, not for you, for me. I’m one of those unfortunates and my method involved joining the Army. I hope you learn from my mistakes.

I am a soldier in the United States Army. Flesh-eating zombies attacked our camp. My team and I journeyed south to another camp for good reasons: they had higher walls, ammunition, uninfected people, and most of all, food. Joining was a no-brainer.

My first night of guard duty went well. I did my best to stay with my friends, Brittany Dushell and Michael Matthew Jones, my army buds. Michael dislikes both first names, so we never call him by either, he has always been Jones to us, our fearless leader. I am good at marksmanship, but Britt, she is the best overall soldier I know and is a whiz at toe-to-toe zombie smashing. We have been through a lot and are fortunate to have guard duty together on the wall. Speaking of the wall, the wall we guard stands twenty feet high. As we look out, we see dead zombie bodies littering the landscape of what used to be civilization.

We take our leave at 2am to go and get some sleep. I walk with Brittany and Jones from the wall to our section of housing. Jones, my immediate superior, stops and Brittany keeps walking with me. He loudly clears his throat.

Brittany stopped and looked back. Give me a minute, she tells her sandy-haired companion.

Jones looks at me and smiles, goodnight, Baker.

’night, Jones. I say.

Where are you staying? Brittany asked and motioned me forward.

I started walking, it took a second to get my bearings and remember where my little camper lay. Over this way. I walked forward and she came alongside me and matched me stride for stride.

You can ask, said Brittany. She watched my face for a response.

Do the two of you live together? I asked.

Yes.

That’s not a problem?

No, Zee, it’s not. Brittany’s teeth were so close together, she nearly whistled the last two words.

I hope my smile put her at ease, I tried to show my happiness for her. There wasn’t much more to say, so we walked in silence to my new home. I stole a look at her and she was all aglow. Brittany and Jones had been through a lot and I’m glad they found each other. I didn’t think the army would allow two soldiers to live together, that is, a man and a woman in the biblical sense. Then again, everything changed after zombies destroyed the world two years ago.

I lost my family, except for my little brother, Simon. Brittany and Jones lost their families and by some miracle had found time to find some semblance of their old world. I can honestly say I am happy for them. If not for my earlier stupidity, I would also have someone, Charley.

Charley Penwright was his name. He turned into a zombie two days ago by what Brittany tells me. I assumed only a day had passed since we made it to this haven, Camp Brandt. This place is a fortress and we, the army, guard and protect its human population from zombie attack. It truly is a safe haven with everything we need to keep our race going. I don’t like their ways, one of which, was the fact that no one told me I had been here for three days instead of the one I assumed.

It is their new quarantine procedure. Any new arrivals are placed in quarantine and put to sleep. An IV drip is administered. Though you sleep for days, the virus doesn’t, so if infected, you turn while asleep. Then, the army politely puts a bullet in your head as a public service. How touching.

I suggested Charley, Brittany, Jones, and I drive our truck through a swarm of zombies. I was selfish. I wanted to get to my brother at any cost and didn’t care if I risked their lives in the process. I know better, but selfish people don’t think, they act. Charley was bitten during that battle with zombies and brought into the camp, infected. He turned while he and I were asleep and they shot him. I didn’t know zombies infected him and never got the chance to say good-bye. Our brief one-night, love affair ended that quickly.

Britt? I asked as we walked.

Yeah?

How do you like it here?

It’s not bad, Zee. We always had food, but now we have beds and other people and a purpose. Overall, I’d give this place a nine out of ten. You don’t like it?

I could tell her the truth, I won’t. My views are my own and I shouldn’t put them on her. She likes it here or I think she does. I guess I should check. Britt, if you could leave, would you?

Brittany stopped walking. Her blue eyes honed in on me. What happened?

Nothing.

Tell me.

I’m not happy with this doctor’s attitude about Simon. This doctor is friendly with him and I don’t like him. I took a breath.

Do you believe he intends to harm Simon, physically?

Her years of abuse made her ask that question. Brittany had been molested in her youth and I imagine she would be a better judge of that type of behavior than I would.

I’m not sure.

Has Simon acted differently?

Yeah.

I mean different-different, not zombie-world different.

I’m not sure. Hey, Britt? Would you talk to him and let me know what you think?

Sure.

We finished our walk and arrived at my camper. Hey, what day job did they give you?

I teach, said Brittany, her smile tantalized.

Lucky you, they put me in the gardens. Do I look like a farmer to you?

Brittany laughed, not yet, but give it a few days. If you’re any good, I’ll put in an order for some corn and cotton.

Screw you.

You wish.

We laughed and hugged before saying goodnight. I could have told her I was born on a farm and hated it, but didn’t. Instead, she walked away and I went inside to reacquaint myself with my meek accommodations.

My one-bedroom camper was nothing special. A lamp aided me, so I didn’t have to struggle in the dark to find my way. I looked around with a heavy heart. My little home held a couch and chair previously, now I see a coffee table and lamp. On the table was a note reminding me of power usage and a book, a cheap romance novella. The cover looked interesting, but I wasn’t in the mood to read. I clicked the lamp switch to turn it off and went to the bedroom. The room was small and the bed came to the door. With no walking room, I crawled to the front of the bed, laid down, and sighed.

Though I tried, my mind wouldn’t shut off. I didn’t like this place even though it was safe. I felt I had a better chance elsewhere and needed to get my brother out of here. But how? That was the question.

I gave up on sleep and crawled back to the doorway and got up. I stumbled to the chair, flicked on the light, and picked up my book. It had worked in the past, maybe it would work now. I began reading and somewhere in the middle of the book, it worked, I fell asleep.

A knock on the door woke me. On my way out of my chair, I noticed my lamp was off. They must take care of forgetful people like me. I opened the door to a bubbly Brittany.

Hey, sleepyhead.

Hey, Britt. What’s up?

I came to walk you to breakfast, you getting up?

I guess. Give me a minute.

I stretched and yawned and then I was ready. We walked down the alley between campers. The nightly buzz of generators was missing from the daily sounds. I strained to hear it in the distance and it occurred to me that we were moving toward the low humming sound. Where are we going?

A shortcut to the cafeteria, said Brittany.

Britt?

Yeah?

How long have you been awake?

A few minutes, why?

No, I mean since we arrived. You said I was out for three days, you and Jones were out for less time, how long?

Two days each. They told me about Charley and I went to check on you. Zee, I tried to tell you before we went into quarantine.

Brittany eyed me with sincerity. I thought back and she was trying to tell me something, but the guards wouldn’t allow us to talk. If I had known I would see Charley for the last time, I would have made a fuss about it, but I didn’t. Charley died not knowing how I felt about him. Strangely, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. When I first learned of his death I was heartbroken, now that I think about it, I have to admit that I don’t know what would have happened between us. Charley’s zombie bite took the decision from me. It felt wrong to be grateful, but I was. My brother needs my undivided attention.

We stopped at a camper twice as big as mine. Brittany turned and smiled. Home sweet home.

This is yours, yours and Jones’?

Yep! Come inside, I have something to show you.

I followed her and in a corner of the living room she pointed to our bags. Hers was the easiest to spot; it had a big, metal, bloody pipe sticking out of it. They gave them back to us, minus the food, of course. But we have our weapons, clothes, and anything else we came with.

I searched over the four bags lying on the floor. I found mine and looked up into her beaming face. She had done well. While I lay unconscious sleeping, Brittany had been looking out for me. Thanks, Britt.

That’s not all. I had never seen her flash all of her teeth the way she was now. Each was white and polished, sparkling and twinkling at me. Did I mention she is a blond bombshell and former beauty pageant winner? That smile must be her secret weapon. Me, I’m a Plain Jane brunette. Nothing special, but I’m loyal to a fault and that’s as good as beauty, in my humble opinion. Open it.

I opened the bag and inside I found all of my daggers. At the bottom of the bag I found a nine-millimeter with extra clip. My grin grew to match hers.

Look in the side pocket.

I looked and found my luxury item from our earlier raid: four packs of spearmint gum. I had shoved them into my back pocket while at the store registers. I opened a pack and gave her a piece. I threw one in my mouth and sat on the floor in heaven. I love gum.

This is contraband, said Brittany. Tofer gave me the bags and said we could keep the gum in exchange for a kiss. Don’t ask me how much mouthwash I swallowed afterward.

We sat on the floor and laughed. I might have been wrong about this place, though Tofer’s actions meant I was right. I dismissed my thoughts as silly and tried blowing my first bubble. I failed and promptly stuffed another piece of heaven in my mouth.

Can you be happy here, Britt?

I can be happy anywhere. I’m not the problem.

I know, Britt, I’m the head case.

I’m sorry I said that, I was upset and shouldn’t have.

Before we arrived here, my team had spent days in a two-story house. I accused Charley of being a walking, talking zombie. I thought he got bit, so I held a gun to his head. I threatened to blow his brains all over the room unless he stripped to prove he hadn’t been bitten.

No, you were right, Britt, I am a head case. I think too much and look for danger around every corner. One of these days, you are going to have to show me how to live. Promise?

Rock on!

We sat for a while in silence, blowing bubbles. We then swallowed our gum and walked to the cafeteria.

Having her next to me felt good. I could stay as long as she was here providing a calming influence over me. We walked into the packed cafeteria. The thought crossed my mind that I hadn’t bothered to get to know any of them. I know it is war mentality, but I’m safe now, I can afford to feel for others. I will make the effort, this place isn’t so bad.

I found Simon’s table, his waving hand gave him away. Come on, Britt. That’s my brother’s table.

Go ahead. I’ll get us some trays.

I didn’t care for food, in fact, if I gave it thought, I couldn’t remember when the last time I was starving. I only hungered for my brother’s company. He was the last member of my family and I would not let anything or anyone hurt him.

Hey, Simon.

Hey, Zee, his squeaky voice was a melody. I assume the change was upon him. Before long, that squeak would turn into a deep guttural sound.

I looked at the people at his table and couldn’t remember any of their names. Not even the girl I met yesterday with the dark-brown hair and tanned skin. I sat next to Simon on the end, forcing him to scoot down a little. Hi, I waved at the others.

Zee, this is Jennifer Peck and this is her little sister, Betsy. They sat across from me.

Hey, a squeak followed a frantic hand waving, both from a little blond girl with a pigtail on each side. I put her age at nine or ten, judging solely on the length of her pigtails. I looked into her small round face and got nothing back in the way of determining her age. Her hair was long and a front tooth was missing, so she must have been preteen or on its cusp.

Jennifer was an older version of the young girl. Her hair was just as blond, only a shade darker. She had a sole braid on her right side, secured with a pink butterfly hair tie. I noticed her sister had two similar ties at the start of her pigtails.

Hey, Betsy. Hello, Jennifer. I’m Zora Baker.

Hi, Zora, said Jennifer.

Simon continued, you already know Hannah, and these two guys are Jeremy and Ralph.

Hello everyone. I said it from my seated position; I could see everyone clearly except for the last two he named.

They said hello.

Do you have your safety class today, Simon?

Un-huh, we have classes every day.

That feeling returned to me and I was a jumble of emotions again, mostly the foreboding kind. I could see them all with machetes in their hands, whacking at zombies. I was going to have a talk with Doctor Blake and he wasn’t going to like our talk at all. The thought of what he put these children through galled me. Safety classes my ass, he stole children’s innocence, turning them into murderers.

Is Doctor Blake here in the cafeteria?

No, said Simon, he is getting ready for our next class.

What time will that be?

More than likely, said a female voice from behind me, while you are busy working.

I turned, but I already knew who it was.

Hello, Sandy.

Good morning, Zora. Sandy gazed at me for a minute with an undeniable sneer. Had she been listening the whole time to our conversation? I read her expression and I believe from the bottom of my heart that she knew exactly why I had asked and what I was up to. Suddenly, her face grew into the resemblance of a smile as she looked at the children. Good morning, children.

Good morning, Miss Sandy, they all said with great cheer.

She turned to me again and I read it in her face. These were her children and I was in her world, an interloper, and she would put me in my place. Anger rose in me, though I smiled as friendly as I could.

I hadn’t fooled her and she hadn’t fooled me.

Zee?

I turned.

Here is your tray, said Brittany, in the nick of time.

Thanks. I took the tray from her. Could you scoot down, Simon?

Sure.

Thanks, said Brittany and sat.

I turned my gaze back to Sandy and stared at her until she left. She never dropped her friendly smile.

Simon, this is my best friend, Brittany Dushell. Britt, this is my kid brother, Simon.

Hi, Simon.

Hey, Brittany, how are you?

I’m doing well, how about yourself?

I’m well.

Good.

Does everyone like the safety classes? I asked.

I looked into all their faces and saw only grins. It should have made me feel better, it didn’t. Thoughts of Children of the Corn ran through my mind and I couldn’t help but wonder if Doctor Blake was behind it all. I could be wrong and considered it, I wasn’t.

Proof of that came in the form of the man himself. As soon as I saw him, a chill came over me. I can’t explain what it is or why, but it is connected with the man. He is giving off waves of something, something evil, intangible. He ended his conversation, smiling in my direction. The good doctor was in front of me, a few tables up. He made a b-line for my table.

Good morning, children, said the doctor.

Good morning, Doctor Blake, they said in unison.

I ate, but surreptitiously watched their faces. All were aglow at the man, like he was god. His height and brown skin would give that impression, but he was no god to me. Then it happened, an unseen force emanating from the man touched me. I acted on instinct. I gripped my fork tightly, it wouldn’t take much to reach up and put it through his throat. I must break his hold over these innocents.

Brittany kicked me under the table. I hate it when she watches me, she knows me too well. With concentration, I shook off the feeling. I shoved what looked like powdered eggs in my mouth, pretending all was well. One day, we will have our talk. His influence over my brother will end. I will see to it.

Good morning, Miss Baker, he said.

It took a moment to wipe off my real face and plaster on a pleasing one. Good morning. I wouldn’t call him doctor, as far as I was concerned he had lost that title.

Good morning, Miss Dushell, he hoped for better comfort from my friend.

Brittany smiled up at him. Though I looked at my tray, I imagined she came across as sincere. Good morning, Doctor Blake. How are you?

I’m doing well, thank you for asking. It is nice to talk with someone with such high moral fortitude. I’m told you are an expert at dispatching zombies. I hope one day you will stop by our class and give the children pointers on safety.

I would be honored, Doctor.

Carry on, he said and left to greet others.

What?

Brittany knew what. I held my tongue because of the children. Consorting with the enemy is a treasonous offense, we would talk later. We finished our meal and the cafeteria cleared out as everyone began their day and their assigned duties.

He looked fine to me, Zee.

What?

As we walked to our day jobs, I was deep in thought and hadn’t paid attention to my friend.

Simon, he seemed well.

Oh. I sighed and took time to collect my thoughts. It’s the way he responds to Blake, I don’t like it. I think the doctor is doing something to the kids, something evil.

Brittany stopped walking and faced me. Something evil? Are you saying sinister? If you are, I didn’t get that vibe, not from any of them.

I don’t know.

I started walking again. I would figure it out later. No one could convince me that something wasn’t wrong. When I sneaked into their secret session, I saw the faces of the children as they killed zombies. They should not be involved in those sorts of things, it’s monstrous.

Chapter 2

Potatoes

I walked to the back of Camp Brandt to the gardens. I went inside the garden shed to meet with Sandy Glessman, the old woman who would make my life a living hell. I’m starting to regret the way I looked at her earlier, I may be here longer than I planned. I went inside with a smile of friendship.

Well, Zora, are you ready for another exciting day? she smiled politely.

Her smile worried me. Yes, Sandy. Life has told me to be wary of polite smiles, hidden daggers accompany them. I poured as much sugar into my smile as I could muster.

Today you will be digging up potatoes.

Sure.

Sandy led me to the rows of potatoes and left me with another girl whose job it was to teach me how to properly dig them up without cutting them in half. I should have known by the way Sandy smiled that she was up to something. It didn’t become clear until I started working.

My trainer gave me a quick lesson and left me with a bucket and a four-pronged fork. The soil was tough and took great effort to break. I had to literally jump on the fork to get it into the hard ground. After which, I fell to my hands and knees to separate the dirt from the potatoes and toss them into a bucket. It was backbreaking work and I’m pretty sure the old hag knew it. She sat out to put me in check and I must admit, she was doing an excellent job. But I wouldn’t let her win. I shoveled dirt as fast as I could and filled my bucket to the top. Looking up, I saw I was only halfway down the first of four, deathly long rows.

After a few choice words under my breath, I lifted the bucket and carried it to the front to dump the potatoes in the drying area. I nearly broke my back doing it, but I made it and returned for another round.

To my surprise, Sandy came back and stared down at me while I dug on my hands and knees.

Um-hem, she said.

Sandy smirked. I put a hand to my eyes to block out the sun to confirm it and I was correct. I returned her grin, I’ll show her, she can’t break me.

How are you getting along my dear? her voice soft and full of fake caring.

Great. I can’t wait to eat them. When do you suppose that will be?

Sandy smiled again. As soon as you finish all four rows, I will have a better idea of what we are working with. You don’t need any help do you?

No, I’m fine.

Really? I can easily change and lend you a helping hand. I do so love imparting my wisdom to the young.

No thank you, Sandy. You’ve earned a place of rest in your golden years. Why don’t you leave this tedious work to me and rest yourself. Thanks anyway.

My smile was just as plastic as hers. I blame her for my not liking her; she could have been nicer and less fake. Besides, I changed my mind again, I will find a way to get us out of here. What good is surviving when you are all a bunch of liars and sadists?

I kept my smile and watched her leave. Sandy wore an all-white outfit and had no intentions of getting dirty. If a salon had been available, she would have had her hair done as well.

Chapter 3

The Happy Couple

Working in the garden wore me out. I decided not to go and see Simon. Instead, I

Reviews for Kill Happy

[sportzmomof5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.This was another amazing story by Richards. In this third installment of the series Richards brings all the pieces together. For me this installment was the best out of the three. You can see how the author has matured as writer.