Promise Land: Planet Dead, #3

By Sylvester Barzey

"Everybody dies! Young, old, men, women...everybody dies."- Liam Davis (Planet Dead 3)

 

Catherine Briggs survived a zombie outbreak. She survived a bombing and let's not forget the cannibalistic circus, but all that was a cakewalk compared to her new troubles. It's 2020 and Catherine's world has entered a whole new level of hell. Accompanied by two survivors from Atlanta, Catherine has traveled to the cold post-apocalyptic wasteland of New Orleans in hopes of finding her family and the monster known as Tennessee.

 

A helping hand from a group of NOLA survivors, drops her first and only lead into her lap, Christian Fidel, the sole survivor from the original outbreak in Texas. Christian finally escaped his CDC kidnappers and only wants to make his way back to Texas.

 

At odds about who's mission is more important, our heroes are forced to put all their needs on the back burner, because New Orleans has its own problems, other than zombies and crazed survivors. Since the start of the outbreak, children have gone missing and the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, is on the hunt for the animal that's taking her city's youth. Catherine has to prove that she's not the serial killer the city's been looking for, all while figuring out if her helping hand, is really the sinful palm of The Devil of Bourbon Street.

 

Welcome to The Promise Land, where many enter, but none leave.

 

Warning

This series contains:

• Religious Trauma/ Cults
• Child Abuse
• Kidnapping
• Child Murder
• Murder
• Gaslighting
• Gore
• Racism
• Betrayal

 

If You Love Z Nation, Dread Nation, and Shaun of The Dead, Then You'll Love This Book!

Book Three In The Planet Dead SeriesPlanet Dead 1&2Available in eBook &Paperback

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sylvester Barzey
• Release date: Jun 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393208471

Sylvester Barzey

Sylvester Barzey is a father, a husband, a soldier, and an "Anything Goes HORROR" writer.  What does "Anything Goes HORROR" entail?  Missing Children Deadly Wives Haunted Baby Rattles A LOT OF DEAD BODIES! Vampires That Don't Sparkle & Don't Believe In Dating Their Food Source! Would You Date A Cow? Werewolves Zombies (A Whole Lot Of F#@king Zombies) Oh & Some Bad Words. He writes what he wants and does what he likes and what he likes is HORRIFYING! Pick up this book or one of his others today.  Something Scary For Every HORROR LOVER!

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Brown plastic dragged through the thick tan glob that passed for mashed potatoes and gravy. Lunchtime was once Sue’s favorite part of the day, but lately it’s been infected with internal questioning, regrets and a shit ton of self doubt. Questions of her future, or lack thereof, weighed heavy on Sue’s mind. The rest of the room got lost in the laughter of the daily movie selection. Sue’s eyes didn't lift from her tray to take in the idiotic mishaps of Pauly Shore, as he tried his best to blend within his military surroundings. Sue never looked up, not once, because it wasn't real. People didn’t adapt and overcome. There were no underdogs who turned into heroes. That wasn't the real world, that wasn't Sue’s world. In Sue’s world, Pauly would have gotten someone killed and lived long enough to realize all he did was endanger everyone around him. He would live long enough to realize he was better off putting his gun in his mouth and pulling the trigger.

Earth to Blondie, Peter’s fingers snapped in front of Sue's face. The plastic broke in half between Sue’s fingers and she dropped the broken spoon onto her tray. The boys stared at Sue as her attention was pulled away from her thoughts and back to the real world, The little man asked you a question...you alright? Peter asked.

Yeah, I’m fine. Just haven't been sleeping well, She replied. Sue smiled and looked over at Jordan, her fingers combed through her hair, What's up? She asked.

Jordan looked down at the broken spoon and then up at Sue with a smile, Why are canned green beans darker than frozen green beans? Jordan asked.

Frozen beans are flash frozen at their peak of freshness, so they keep their color. Sue replied with a weak smile.

Jordan nodded and looked at Peter, I told you she didn’t hear a damn thing we said. Peter laughed and Jordan looked back into Sue’s blue eyes, We don’t care about the beans. What's been going on with you? Jordan asked.

What do you mean? Sue replied.

"Why do people always say, ‘what do you mean’ when they know exactly what you mean?" Peter asked.

You’re always locked up in your room, Jordan said.

Yeah and Tennessee says-

Sue rolled her eyes, I don't give a fuck what Tennessee says.

The Briggs boys looked at one another and then Peter nodded, Yeah, she said you’ve been snappy lately.

Tennessee is crazy! Do you know what the fuck she-

This time it was Jordan who cut Sue off, Now isn't the time to be turning on each other. We need one another if we're gonna figure out what Dr. Brooks is up to. Jordan looked around and then leaned in, I think she's still doing experiments, even without Zero.

She probably got everything she needed from him, you know, before you two went all Shawshank, Peter replied.

Sue turned her head to the screen, watching Pauly stubble through the hot sand. His skin turning a bright pink under the unforgiving sun, I wonder how he’s doing, Sue said.

Well, he was strapped to a bed for months and then tossed into a zombie infested world, I’m sure he’s fine...or he’s dead, Peter said. Jordan stared at his uncle until the overgrown child smiled and put his hand over his heart, What? I’m not saying you two set him up for failure or anything. How would you have known someone who hasn’t walked in forever wouldn’t survive in the apocalypse...oh yeah, because I told you so.

Jordan shook his head, the relationship with his uncle was an odd one. Come to think of it, his relationship with all of the so-called adults was odd. Jordan found himself always arguing with Peter, babying Sue, and fighting with Tennessee…as far as Doctor Brooks, she treated him like a third year grand student. The apocalypse took so much from everyone, but what it did to children was the worst. It stole their childhood. It forced them to become adults far sooner than they ever wanted to be, but then again it was either give up your childhood things or give up your life. Jordan had to start thinking like an adult and being seen like an adult, because if he wasn’t then he didn’t have a voice and the voiceless might as well be dead in the apocalypse.

I’m leaving, Sue muttered.

You told us after the fact and he’s not dead. I don't think so, if he is, where’s the body? Jordan replied.

Maybe he got eaten-

Sue’s hand flew down onto the table with a chilling Wack causing everyone’s eyes to fall upon her. She had the whole room’s attention now, hell she was pretty sure Pauly was staring at her through the screen. Sue laughed, Sorry, I saw a bug, she announced and the heads slowly started to turn their attention back to the movie and Sue stared at her boys. She always called them that, because that’s what they were, hers. She felt like she inherited them after Catherine and Robert’s passing. While at times, they took far more care of her than she did them, Sue still felt a motherly love for them...well, motherly for Jordan, there was something more primal for Peter, that Sue did her best to ignore. She loved them, which was why saying those words was so hard but she sighed and softly repeated, I’m leaving.

Peter leaned forward on his crossed forearms, The fuck you mean, you're leaving? He hissed. Their eyes locked for only a moment, and it was clear that neither of them wanted to have this conversation. Not because it was uncomfortable, that was an emotion they were getting far too used to. It was because it could open a door to something everyone was trying their hardest to keep locked away, their hearts.

Sue broke the gaze first, I can't stay here. I'm going crazy and-

Jordan shook his head, No, you can’t leave. We need you.

Sue's chipped pink nails went out and held Jordan’s soft fingers, I can't stay here and pretend I’m okay. I’m not okay, Jordan.

Jordan pulled his hand back, None of us are. Jordan replied.

This is some real bullshit...After all we’ve done for you? I put my neck out on the line, Peter said. It was a dark time when Patient Zero went missing, namely for Sue and Tennessee. They were the only two unaccounted for during the escape. Tennessee claimed she was out over the fence releasing some steam, something she shouldn’t have been doing but it was better to admit to some harmless zombie killing, than to be anywhere near the Zero issue. Sadly Sue’s alibi was a bit more messy and complicated.

I didn't ask you to, Sue said.

For real? I put a fucking target on my back with Maxine to keep your selfish ass here, Peter said.

Calm down, Jordan said.

Selfish, really? Sue hissed

Calm down, guys, Jordan said.

No one told you to blurt out your little wet dream, Sue said.

What’s a wet dream? Jordan asked.

You were drowning and I pulled you on my lifeboat, BEA. Peter said.

Awe, thanks, but fuck you and your nasty boat, sweetheart. I don’t know where it’s been, Sue said.

You should have never let him go, Peter replied.

No, but I did. That's the world we're living in right now. One where I can't even sleep without worrying if someone is gonna slit my throat in the middle of the night, Sue said. She looked back down at the tray and sighed, I need to get away from all this. Y’all are better off without me.

We need each other. All four of us, we’re the only ones we can trust. Jordan said.

I don't trust Tennessee, Sue said softly.

Why not? Jordan asked.

All eyes were on Sue, but Sue's gaze was elsewhere. She was focused on the double doors of the chow hall, I don’t believe her stories anymore. The doors swung back and forth as a dark haired, pale skinned Tennessee surveyed the room looking for her group of misfits, I think…I think she killed them. Tennessee and Sue’s eyes locked.

Killed who? Peter asked.

Tennessee smiled for a moment and Sue looked away quickly, I’ll tell you later, Sue replied.

Fuck that, later ain't guaranteed. Little man could end up some zombie’s Po Boy sandwich any second now, Peter said.

Why me? Jordan asked.

I’m too smart to die, Peter replied.

If intelligence is the only thing you need to survive, then no wonder America’s a walking graveyard. Sue said softly.

Jordan laughed until Tennessee quickly came up behind him, placing the boy in a headlock, What are you clowns laughing about? Tennessee asked.

Sue stared at her, Clowns, really? Sue said softly.

It's a figure of speech. You need to take a lesson from Elisa and let that shit go. Tennessee said with a smile. Jordan started slapping her bicep as it tightened around his head.

How about you let him go, Sue said.

What? We're just playing, Tennessee replied.

I said, let him go. Sue repeated. She focused on each word, as if it were going to be the final words Tennessee would ever hear.

Alright, don’t wrinkle your prom dress, Barbie, Tennessee said. Her hold softened and Jordan pulled his head free.

Jordan started to rub the side of his neck, You smell like zombies, Jordan said.

You been going outside the compound again? Peter asked.

Maybe, you gonna tell your girlfriend on me… Tennessee laughed and put her hand over her heart, Oh, right…she dumped your cheating ass. Tennessee said.

Shut up, Sue quickly replied.

Whatever you say, home wrecker Barbie. Tennessee said as she pulled up a seat. Y’all heard what's going on?

Nah, What? Peter asked.

Another one of the G.I Joes is missing, Tennessee said. She leaned forward and grabbed Sue’s fruit cocktail cup and dropped back into her seat, He’s been missing for two months now. I heard them talking about it. Tennessee said.

Two months? Why are we just now hearing about this? Peter asked.

What do you mean missing? Jordan asked.

As in, can't be found. Tennessee replied.

Which soldier is it? Sue asked.

Richardson, Tennessee said before emptying the fruit cup into her mouth.

Sue's eyes darted toward Jordan. The boy looked rattled by the mention of Captain Richardson. Which was understandable, being the night of Zero’s break out they were almost witnesses to the Captain’s attempted rape of Dr. Brooks. He looked over at Sue and the pair did their best to communicate without a word.

Zero must have killed him, like he killed that annoying little shirk, Tennessee said.

Yeah…he must have. Sue said softly.

Y eah, who knew he would turn out to be such an unstable psycho? Peter said.

Sue glared at Peter and the two locked eyes for a moment, before Sue pushed her tray to the side and folded her arms, slumping back in her seat.

Something wrong? Tennessee asked.

Sue's not feeling well, Jordan said.

Stop lying for her, Peter said. He still hadn't taken his eyes off of Sue. Peter and Dr. Brooks had a train wreck of a relationship, but in the apocalypse a train wreck was better than sleeping alone. The relationship was a sweet little treat in a world that was serving nothing but shit on a warm plate. But now, that treat was gone, Dr. Brooks slapped the taste out of Peter's mouth when she found out he and Sue were sleeping with each other. It was a dirty white lie that was needed to cover up Sue and Jordan’s prison break, All we do is cover for her, Peter said.

I didn't ask you to lie for me, Sue said.

Peter’s fist slammed into the table and then he pointed at Sue, his finger hovered in the air before he quickly pulled his hand back and stood up, Forget it, We were fine before you and we’ll be fine after. Peter looked at Jordan and slapped him on the shoulder, Let's get-

Squads Lima, Tango & Whiskey! The hauntingly calm voice of Dr. Brooks echoed through the chow hall. Peter’s head turned toward the loud speaker as it released his ex’s soft voice turned up to eleven, and civilians Rebecca Lee & Sue Peterson. Please report to the Med Bay for screenings and vaccinations.

Vaccinations? From what? Jordan asked.

The flu or something, Peter replied.

Maybe it's the cure, Tennessee said.

Sue stood up and shook her head, There is no cure, there never will be.

Well, aren't you little Miss. Sunshine. Tennessee said with a laugh.

You can't cure evil. It’s what we are. It’s what we’ve always been. People are always gonna kill people, it’s in our DNA, Sue said.

Yeah, I was talking about the real evil at hand...the zombies, Tennessee said.

Sue looked at her and then turned to the exit door, We are the real evil, always have been, always will be. The universe is just finally fighting back. Sue walked past the tables and started following behind the group of soldiers that were heading to the Med Bay.

What's up with her? Tennessee asked.

Who cares? Peter said as he sat back down.

Jordan stared at Sue and softly said, She's giving up hope. Then he stood up and quickly ran after her.

1

THE DEVIL'S FOXTROT

June 24th (Three Months Into Apocalypse)

The cool bronze metal sent a rush through her fingers, like it was calling to her, whispering to her soul. The tips of her chipped black nails tapped each key, lightly pushing the metal down. She rested her cheek on the long neck of the saxophone, it longed for her lips. Asking for her to play one sweet note. The smell of the bronze and the key oil pulled forward old memories of playing loud and boldly down the streets of New Orleans. The metal made her feel alive and free, two things she hadn’t felt in months.

What the hell are you doing? Her head spun around to the open doorway, Mama said only the important stuff, He said.

Important, means a lot of different things to different people, She said.

Right...well you just take your different ass into the kitchen and see if we got anything worth bringing, He said.

I won’t play it, I swear. I just wanna have it around, Please, Tre?

Don’t please, Tre, me, I’m not carrying that all the way across town for you, Tre said.

I’ll carry it! She pleaded.

Whatever, I guess I’ll carry all the important stuff then. Thanks for coming little sis, you’re always so helpful, Tre said.

Tre stepped out of the doorway and headed down the dark hallway, in hopes of finding some form of hope or joy to bring back to his mother. The woman was sick, but she pretended she wasn’t. The tons of food they had, according to his mother, was enough, then Tre started to notice his mother wasn’t eating. His hands wrapped around the cupboard handles and he pulled them open, a rat sprung forward and Tre recoiled knocking over the kitchen chair.

You alright? Tre’s sister shouted.

I’m good...don’t pretend you care, Nia! Tre hollered.

Stop being so dramatic, Tre! Nia replied.

Stop pretending, Nia! Tre shouted.

The two of them held back the laughter that was building in their chests. There were many things that could be blamed on the apocalypse, big, dark, evil things...but there were also some things that Nia thanked the apocalypse for...becoming closer with Tre and Mama was one of those things. People say family is everything, but when