Charon's Debt

By Timothy Ray

The culprit for bringing Humanity to it's knees has been unmasked, and now Todd must find a way to deal with the knowledge before it destroys him. Should the others know as well? Or will the guilt prove to be too much? With a threat looming from within, Todd is forced to go back to the city of his birth to rescue his wife's family, and hopefully resurrect a hope for their future survival. Meanwhile, Robert has problems all his own as a life changing carnival of horrors threatens to strip what little sanity he has remaining. The President of the United States has called for a retreat to the northern state of Montana as they begin to dig in and make a final stand against the zombie hordes tearing the world apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Timothy Ray
• Release date: May 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463265956

Timothy Ray

Timothy Ray (1978-) was born in Tucson, Arizona, where he resides to this day. His family is from eastern Arizona, from Safford to Morenci, and he enjoys camping on Mt. Graham during the summer months. He attended Desert View High School, where he was inspired by an English teacher to explore his creative writing skills and work on his first novel; the Acquisition of Swords. He joined the Writer's Group under Mrs. Wakamatsu, and finished the rough draft of his first book in 1995.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Aftermath

Saint

Clifton, AZ

She thought that they had left the madness behind, having been told that Clifton and Morenci were unscathed by the chaos that gripped the world, but apparently that information was outdated. When she caught sight of what was transpiring down the road, she had quickly pulled into the Circle K parking lot and hid their truck on the south side of the building, obscuring it from view. They had been lucky getting out of Queen Creek in one piece, even luckier back in Safford when they’d almost been taken out by a bunch of gangbangers, but since then most of their journey had been quiet, up until they heard the gunshots echoing across the canyons around them.

You guys should stay here and protect the baby, she told the couple and quickly got out of the truck. She reached behind the seat and liberated her rifle, then creeped along the brown bricked building, coming to a halt behind the Reddy Ice machine, and peeked out at the highway beyond. Someone was standing to her rear and she reached up to brush her long raven colored hair back to glance at them. Naima’s dirt brown eyes met hers and Sabrina sighed, then nodded. There was no point in telling her to go back, she was not going to listen.

Mike’s got the baby, what the hell is going on down there? Naima asked, her shoulder-length brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, the black blouse of hers buffeted by an afternoon breeze.

No fucking clue, she muttered, wondering how she could possibly have more information than Naima did; they got there at the exact same time.

The gunshots were starting to peter out; either they were running out of bullets or people. Movement on the heights drew her gaze. She looked up to see six bulldozers pushing dirt off the side of the cliff and towards the highway below. What the fuck are they doing? One of the middle ones began to tilt towards her and she watched in horror as it slid forward and down, bouncing off the cliffside and slamming into the highway below with an enormous thundering crunch. Parts of the cliffside broke off from the impact and following vibrations, tumbling on top of the wreckage and creating a small hill where once smooth pavement had been. The ground shook beneath her feet and loose rock tumbled down from the mountainside to their rear in a symbolic gesture of unity with their brethren.

Her heart sank in her chest. Mierda! she cursed. Their plans just got shot to shit.

Oh, fuck me, Naima groaned, echoing her sorrow. Maybe Mike was right, maybe it was bad luck just leaving that guy in the road like that.

Don’t get superstitious on me now, sister, she muttered. This has nothing to do with that. She’d accidentally ran over a body in the road on the way out of Safford, and the tension in the truck had been near unbearable since, as their consciences did their best to riddle them with guilt over their following inaction to see to the victim’s health.

An eerie silence filled the air once the last of the rocks had fallen, but she didn’t dare step out to see how the people on the lower highway were responding to the avalanche and impromptu road closure. There might be survivors and she did not want to attract their attention, especially since they wouldn’t have any other outlet to vent their frustrations on now that the road was completely fucking toast. It was best to wait and see how things sorted out.

She could hear someone hollering from the mountainside above, but the words were lost upon the wind. A coughing fit struck her as the dusty air assailed her lungs and she was forced to duck back and put an arm over her mouth to stifle the sound being forced out of her. Her nose tickled and her vision momentarily blackened as she bent against the wall and tried to smother her body’s responses to the dust cloud consuming her world. Her sweat was instantly caked in dirt and she cursed as she tried to wipe her fingers across her eyes in an effort to get the crap out of them; the grit stung like a motherfucker.

What do we do now? Naima coughed, her face covered in light brown dust and her makeup running as her eyes watered in an effort to clear her vision. We need to get through there, right? Do we need to go fight our way through? she asked as she held her shirt over her mouth to prevent inhaling any of the loosened rock into her lungs. She was proving to be feistier than Sabrina had imagined and it was hard to imagine the woman cowering in an attic and not clearing that house of hers on her own. Maybe if she had shown this much aggression before, Erik might still be alive.

She leaned her head back and stared at the clear skies. The dust had begun to settle, but there was still enough in the air to fuck with her lungs and make her cough. We sit and wait, she responded, trying to work out what they needed to do next.

There had to be another way up the mountain, right? That seriously couldn’t be the only road. What did they do when they had to work on it? Isolate the town completely? If it was, they were screwed. She didn’t know her way around this part of Arizona and the only thing she could think of to do was to go back to that intersection with the abandoned Drive In and take that road through New Mexico. Surely that would take them north and let them come back down towards the compounds that way. But horrors might they face if they did that? Could they navigate through it safely or would they be further up shit creek?

She picked up her phone and began to dial. Todd?

Todd’s a little busy getting his face looked at right now, who’s this? Stop flinching, dumbass, came a voice over the receiver. A maxi-pad, really? She could hear someone in the background say something about survivor tips on the Talking Dead, but she couldn’t make out who it was. There was more, but the woman was back to talking on the phone. Better make it fast; we’re in the middle of something.

No fucking shit. That wouldn’t happen to be pushing bulldozers off a mountaintop, would it? she returned and was greeted by silence.

Who is this? came that strong female voice again, clued to the fact that whoever was calling knew exactly what was going on and unsure of whether she was friend or foe. Should have checked the fucking caller ID before picking up then!

The trucks that were on the road were now leaving, their engines roaring as they peeled out. She pressed herself against the side of the building, aware that she didn’t have time to hide adequately and had to hope that as long as they stayed still, they wouldn’t be seen. Naima was still gawking, so she reached out and yanked on the woman’s arm, pulling her back out of sight.

It’s Sabrina, she whispered as five trucks drove past. There had been over a dozen before the shooting started, so there must not have been as many survivors. Could they handle them if they got noticed? With Naima’s baby so close, she prayed it didn’t come to that.

Saint? the woman asked in shock. How do I know this is you?

Her frustration was mounting, despite the relief she felt when the trucks rolled out of sight. Who the hell else would be calling? Todd sent her on this Godforsaken errand, which ended with the death of one of her friends, and he didn’t tell his wife to be expecting them? What kind of fucked up bullshit is that?

That’s some bullshit, she uttered, unable to help herself.

The woman next to her saw the anger rising and immediately reached out and snatched the phone away. Hey, it’s Naima. Oh, hey Monica. Look, we’re down here at the corner store just at the base of the mountain. Yeah, they’re gone. Okay. All right, we’ll wait. Bye hon, she said, then handed the phone back over.

Hello? she asked, but the line was dead. Besa mi culo, puta, she growled as she pocketed her phone and glared at the other woman.

That wasn’t very nice, Naima reprimanded her, her eyes slightly wider. Then a smile broke and she laughed, though I have to agree, she can be.

She didn’t share in the laughter, her throat was aching and it felt like she had drunk the fucking dirt, not just inhaled it. She walked around the corner of the building and along the walkway in front of the store, Naima following close behind.

What did she say? she asked as she grabbed the front door of the convenience store and stepped inside. She wasn’t just frustrated with their current predicament, there was the issue of Naima taking her phone away from her that was grating on her nerves. She had been in control since leaving that fire station in Tucson and after the events of the previous day, she did not like the feeling of being at anyone else’s mercy.

Naima acted like she didn’t hear the hostility in her voice as she answered, when they are sure the trucks have left, they are going to send some guys down to see if there are any wounded, put any of their friends out of their misery, and check the trucks that were left behind. She says that from up there, they look to be loaded with supplies and no one wants to just leave them sitting out there.

She went to the cooler and was surprised to find that the cooling units were still running. Taking out a couple of Rockstars and a bottle of water, she walked over to the soda fountain, unscrewed the lid to the water, and took in a large mouthful. Then she swished it around and gargled, spitting it out into the tray beneath the dispensers.

Naima had retrieved herself a Diet Coke and watched her tentatively as she worked on clearing her airways. She glanced about the store and was shocked that most of the stock looked intact. Small towns must not have suffered much in the way of looting, as their neighbors would have a clear idea of who they were and would most likely show up on their doorstep to kick their ass, then take the shit back that they stole.

She couldn’t fit anything else in the back of the truck, so she grabbed the four-pack off the bottom shelf and moved towards the registers. Might as well get something while you can. No telling if you’ll ever see any of this shit again.

Not waiting to see if the woman did what she suggested, she went behind the counter and grabbed a stack full of Marlboro cartons and a bottle of tequila. Taking a couple of plastic bags, she put a couple of other liquor bottles and cartons in there as well. Then she marched around the front, snatched a bag of jerky, turned and used her back to slam the door open, the door dinging to tell the non-existent cashier she was shoplifting.

The dust had almost completely settled and she squinted as the sun struck her face. Setting her bags down in front of the Reddy Ice machine, she reached in her shirt pocket and retrieved a cigarette, then popped it into her mouth as she glanced back towards the truck. Michael was getting out, their infant in hand, watching them curiously. Lighting her cigarette, she inhaled deeply, nearly coughed it out, and blew it out her nose.

Turning, she glanced at the blocked highway and nearly bit the filter off her cigarette. Frustration filled her soul and she was unable to keep it at bay. If they had been half an hour earlier, if they hadn’t had to stop in Thatcher to use the restroom, they might have been up that road before all the shit hit the fan and been at Todd’s compounds by now. But no, now she had to sit here on the side of the road and wait to be escorted up the mountain by a bunch of rednecks because of a large fucking tractor and an avalanche. Was she ever going to catch a break?

Naima came to her side, and placed a couple of bags near her feet, her gaze turning towards her husband hovering nearby.  Are you okay? she asked, hand out.

She tried not to glare, but failed as she slipped out another cigarette and handed it over. Why wouldn’t I be?

Because Monica said that it was Robert that just drove by in those trucks, Naima responded, lighting a cigarette and casting her gaze south.

"What?" she managed, choking on the smoke she’d just inhaled and having another coughing fit.

Chapter 2

Finally

Todd

Morenci, AZ

The dust was beginning to settle and those that had been up here with them were loading into their trucks, preparing to take a backroad to Clifton and check for survivors. He couldn’t go personally, he had dead family members down there and he’d never be able to shoot his cousin in the head. The other men seemed to understand that, and more than a couple said they’d take care of it for him. That was the benefit of being in a small town, where the people actually gave a shit. Had he been back in Tucson, they’d have told him to clean up his own mess.

Who was that? he asked, seeing his wife talking on his cellphone and cursing that he’d given it over. She had walked away to hear better when he began interrupting her and appeared to be loving the power she had over him at the moment; to delight in holding back information she knew he wanted. After a brief conversation, she hung up and returned to the task she’d been performing when the phone rang, a needle and a thread in hand as she tried to stitch up his face.

Maybe you should wait and let Ros do it, she’s a trained professional, he snarked, trying to push her buttons.

She was trying to hold it in, but a smile was edging its way up. Sabrina and Naima are down below.

No shit? Are they all right? Did Robert see them? They aren’t hurt, are they? he asked, suddenly jumping to his feet, but his wife pushed him back onto the tailgate, his ass bone striking metal and causing him to yelp in pain. What the—?

You’re hurt and you’re going to sit there and let me patch you up. They can handle it, she commanded, dismissing his attempts at arguing further. Her face slackened, her gaze hardening, and she dared him to say anything further. After a brief attempt to try and come up with some retort or argument, he gave in and sat on the truck bed in silence. He should have known better to argue with her; he never won.

Are they okay? he asked, hoping she would at least give him that much.

"They both sounded pretty good, actually. I’m sorry, we didn’t have time for a nice long chat. You know, there is a lunatic down there who would just love to get his hands on your new girlfriend. Wouldn’t want that to happen now, would we? she asked, teasing him. I mean, you already have three women in your life, what’s the loss of another prospect? She pinched his skin and he yelped. Oops, my bad."

No, you’re not. And she’s not my girlfriend, he growled. Yes, he was poly and yes, he had committed himself to two women and was involved with a third, but he could only be stretched so far. Even now, he was having a hard time keeping up with things. Even if he could, even if there was someway to make the time, Sabrina had never shown any interest. It didn’t matter to Monica though; she’d keep on ribbing him about it regardless. No matter what he said or how many times he denied it, it would always be a thing simply because she was a girl and a friend; her eyes said as much.

He sighed. Isn’t there enough going on right now with any of this bullshit piled on top?

Why is it that everyone we text, everyone we tell that the world is going to hell, when not even your best friend listens to you, that this coworker of yours drops everything at a drop of a hat and comes running? What is up with that shit? You’re gonna sit there and seriously tell me you haven’t fucked her? Wasn’t the point of being open, of being poly, to be honest and forthcoming about our extra-marital relationships? Why not just admit it? she ranted, obviously undeterred by his denials.

We haven’t had sex, he told her, trying to look her in the eyes. I don’t know why she believed me when no one else did. It was a Hail Mary sending her that text. I sent it to a lot of people and she just happened to text me back. Maybe she knew I wouldn’t fuck around on something like this. I don’t know, I’m not her! You said she’s down there right now. When she gets her ass up here you can ask her yourself! You don’t have to be fucking somebody to be friends with them!

She was finished with the stitches, the last pull a little harder than it needed to be and he cringed as the needle passed a little too close to his right eye. I’m just giving you shit. I know that you can’t do any better than me. We’re soulmates, remember?

He tried to smile, but he was too confused to answer. Were these the hormones talking? What the hell was going on? His wife leaned forward and kissed him full on the lips. I just don’t understand, he muttered.

I know, she grinned. Now, why don’t you tell me what happened earlier before we came out here. And don’t bullshit me. I know there’s something you’re not telling me. The look he gave her wiped any trace of a smile off her face. That bad, huh? she asked, her brow drawing together as she tried to work through it on her own.

He now realized that the whole Sabrina thing had been to work him up to the point that he’d confess anything to make it stop, and she’d gone right to the heart of the issue that’d been plaguing his mind for the last few hours. No matter how hard she probed, he wasn’t sure that he could talk about it. The revelations that he had learned from Ben, the guilt he felt for the world falling apart, how could he put that on her as well? He looked at the others around them, aware that their conversation was not private, and praying to God that they didn’t understand anything they were saying; he didn’t need another headache on top of everything else. I don’t know if I can talk about it, or how much you need to know, especially right now. I need time. It’s just—I can’t.

She was momentarily silent, refusing to let go of his gaze, making it clear that this conversation was not over, and she’d drag him out of him if she had to yank his fingernails out doing it. I’m not letting you off the hook, she told him firmly.

I know you won’t. When we get a minute alone, I’ll try, okay? he asked, eyes pleading for her to drop it. Things were just too fresh and he didn’t want to go over it again so soon. He had hoped for time to work things out on his own, to think of a best course of action should he need to share it with the others. Then again, maybe talking to her would do some good, maybe she’d come at it from angles he hadn’t considered?

One of the men came jogging up to them. You’re going to have to come see this. Those trucks were loaded with weapons and supplies. And they left some people behind, the man told them.

Why would I care about that? Who would have Robert left?

He followed the man as they walked over to the church at the top of the hill. He took some time to enjoy the afternoon, letting the sun soak his skin and the wind to cool his sweat. His cheek stung, his body was weary, and his mind was overloaded, but it still felt good to be out and under the open skies once more. Monica was by his side, they had driven Robert away, and hopefully some of his remaining family members would be coming back with them to the compound. Maybe a few others as well, he would have to think on that. They couldn’t afford to just take everybody they came across, but he also knew that Robert would be back, and they would need to strengthen their numbers before the next encounter.

Let’s hope he doesn’t find himself a tank.

He ran a hand through his short brown hair, his hazel eyes fixed on the church as they rounded the corner and walked into a group of men hovering by the front steps. This was the church his grandparents had renewed their vows at and he realized he hadn’t been back here since. As he approached the men, a few smiled and slapped him on the back. They were treating it like a victory, even as some of them worked to get the bodies of their fallen friends back up the hill.

Like his cousin and uncle.

He wanted to grieve, but this wasn’t the time or the place, there’d be plenty of time for that later. What he didn’t want, was to be the one to tell his father, but he also couldn’t put that on someone else either; he was no coward. His father would be upset, as was expected, but in the end, it would be his mother who would be near inconsolable. If only James had listened to his parents when they had come through—

Someone stepped aside and a woman came into view, slouched on the lower steps leading to the church, her hair covering her face. She had marks all over her body, her clothing was ripped, and her wrist and ankles showed signs of being taped up. What had this poor woman suffered at the hands of that mad man? No matter who he had been before, this new world had turned him into a monster, and he would have no trouble killing him when the time came.

He had never taken a life, but he knew for certain he would not lose sleep over that one. The woman looked up as he approached and he saw the horror of what had been done in her eyes. Her round face was bruised, her cheeks were puffy, and there was residue from tape on the corners of her mouth. The yellow highlight in her hair flipped into view and he gasped as their eyes met. Oh my God, Marisol? What the hell is she doing here?

She looked at and through him, as if not seeing who he was. Fear was still evident on her face, as if she thought she was in a dream and not finally freed of her prison. It took a moment, but her eyes finally narrowed and began studying his face as he leaned forward to get a closer look. Todd! she exclaimed, reaching forward to embrace him. Oh Todd, I’m so glad you found me, she wept.

The sudden hug surprised him. He had known her briefly when she worked at Wal-Mart, but she had moved on, married his long-time coworker Caesar, and he had seen very little of her since. The sudden joy was a mystery to him. I’m glad I found you too. It’s okay, you’re safe now.

They have my baby, she whimpered, her voice full of despair. That monster took my baby!

Oh, that man was going to die, his inner voice informed him as she cried into his shoulder, his arms hugging her as closely as he dared. Her body was a wreck and he didn’t want to apply pressure and make it worse.

Ma’am? came a voice on his left and he watched as a man strode forward with a bundle in his arms. We found him in the back of one of the trucks next to some canned food. He hasn’t stopped crying yet, looks like he’s pretty hungry, but the little fella appears to be okay all things considered.

The shattered woman looked up as the man drew closer and tears burst from her eyes. Oh my God, is he—? A wail erupted from the bundle and she was instantly on her feet. She snatched the baby from the man and wept as she held her infant child to her breasts; the hope she had denied returned with every coo the baby gave at his mother’s embrace.

Monica