Forsaken Hearts: A Dead Hearts Novel, #2

By Susanne L. Lambdin

Forsaken Hearts, the second book in the Dead Hearts series, picks up where Morbid Hearts left off-- a few weeks after the pivotal battle at Pike's Peak.

Makeshift settlements under the authority of the Freedom Army provide refuge for the survivors of the worldwide "Scourge" that has destroyed all known civilization, turning most of the human population into zombies.

Quasi-military teen patrols have been assembled to guard the camps' perimeters from scavengers and those infected with the ever-mutating H1N1z virus.
Cadence and her Fighting Tigers, one of the top teen patrols, are working to maintain the fragile peace at the survivors encampment at Seven Falls, but tensions are rising. 
Dissent within the ranks splits the camp into factions, which is only in the best interest of the new vampire menace that has emerged in Colorado Springs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susanne Lambdin
• Release date: Aug 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781393870982

Book preview

Dead Hearts: Bloodlines

Exordium

Medius

Ultimum

The Realm of Magic Trilogy

Seeker of Magic

Mistress of Magic

Queen of Magic

* * * * *

Dedicated to my loving parents.

Chapter One

Sunlight gave new life to gray clouds, illuminating the ruins of Colorado Springs. Abandoned by the living, its houses stood vacant. Fractured storefronts had long surrendered to the elements, while grocery stores and pharmacies were ravaged by survivors and street-wise entrepreneurs. Schoolyards, hospitals, and parking lots, however, still attracted the locals. Zombies lingered on playgrounds or at entrances to emergency rooms, ambling by shopping carts and trashcans, staring at a destroyed world with forlorn, hungry faces, and desperate intentions.

The Fighting Tigers, riding colorfully painted ATVs, sped around an obstacle course of rusting cars and debris. A drab green Army Jeep, outfitted with a spiked grill and open steel cage on the back end, gave friendly pursuit. Thor, leader of the mission, demonstrated the precision of a professional stunt driver.

Those nuts are getting too far ahead, Thor said, a frown pulling down the corners of his mouth. Dressed in his bomber jacket, his blue beret tugged low on his brow, the eighteen-year-old boy was not pleased with babysitting a bunch of kids. He regretted not being with his own team, the Vikings; instead, he was stuck with the Fighting Tigers on a slapdash mission.

Not many dead heads on the road, Dragon said. Turn left at the next corner. We are to meet Rafe near the radio station. I’m anxious to get out to the Air Force Academy and see what is going on up there. From what the Dark Angels are saying, it’s not good.

Dragon was second-in-command of the mission. Sitting in the passenger seat, he was dressed for a zombie patrol in a long, black leather coat, jeans with padded knees, and biker boots. Two Japanese swords, a long katana and a shorter-styled blade called a chisa, lay across his lap, and a gun was holstered at his side. With his long black hair whipping about in the breeze, he kept his eyes on the street and his hands neatly folded in his lap.

The city reeks of death, Whisper said. The butt of a cigarette, dwindling as it burned, stuck out the side of his mouth. In his dirty, light blue parka, the team sniper knelt in the back of the Jeep, holding an M24 sniper rifle.

Freeborn, a full-blooded Cherokee, sat next to Whisper in a grungy Army jacket and knee-high moccasins. Her father’s old shotgun lay across her lap. Her head rose as the team rolled into historic Colorado Springs, reducing speed as the kids on the ATVs whizzed past, missing the turn. Muttering angrily, Thor drove around an Army tank sticking out of a storefront. The remains of a battle, fought months earlier, littered the road. He was so busy staring at all the rotting bodies he barely missed driving into an enormous blast hole in the asphalt. He jerked the wheel hard right.

Watch out, Freeborn shouted.

Unable to compensate in time, Thor caught the tail end of a rusting Buick with the corner of the Jeep’s spiked grill. The impact spun the vehicle around in a full circle and nearly toppled out the two Tigers in back. A loud pop brought the Jeep to a sudden stop, the front tire whining as it lost its air. Furious at his own stupidity, Thor put the Jeep in park and jumped out to check the damage. A piece of twisted metal poked out of the deflating tire.

Everyone out, Thor shouted. Dragon, get those kids back here. It’s going to take me a minute or two to change this tire.

Reaching behind his seat, Thor pulled out a toolbox, setting it beside the flat tire so he could work faster. Dragon climbed out of the Jeep, sliding his swords into scabbards crisscrossed across his back in order to draw his gun. He trotted down the street.

Thor wasted no time in removing the spare. Dropping the tire to the ground, he noticed Freeborn stood beside him holding the jack. Whisper remained in the back of the vehicle, his rifle raised, peering through the scope for zombies.

I thought you might need a hand, Freeborn said.

I’ve got it, Thor said, grumbling under his breath. When Dragon gets back with the kids, fan out and search for Rafe. This is a reconnaissance mission. We are not waiting around.

Freeborn lifted her shotgun. An eagle feather tied to the end of her braid fluttered in the light breeze. Make it fast, she said. I don’t like the look of this place. It’s too quiet.

Dragon ran back to the Jeep, and the three ATVs zipped around the corner, screeching to a halt beside it. Blaze climbed off a purple and black tiger-striped four-wheeler, her spiked hair dyed white with purple tips. Facial jewelry added to her Goth attire. She reached for her crossbow, stomping over to the Jeep as Smack parked her lime-green striped three-wheeler beside a large four-wheeler painted in urban camouflage. Smack was dressed like a schoolgirl with pigtails, a plaid print skirt, torn tights, and black buckled boots. Dodger shambled over to Thor, his thin body swallowed by an old, brown leather coat, several sizes too big. The two kids laughed as they started trading punches. Thor tossed the flat tire off to the side, muscles straining, picked up the spare, and slid it right on.

Can we shop while we wait for Rafe? Smack asked in a cheery voice. At twelve, she was more a mascot than a soldier, but she was still a decent marksman.

No, grumbled Thor.

Let’s get to work, Freeborn said. Blaze, take Dodger and Smack with you and cover the road up ahead. Dragon and I will take the sidewalk. Rafe’s got 10 minutes. We made too much noise coming into town; no doubt we’ve attracted zombies. Come on, babe.

Hold up, Dragon said, catching Freeborn by the arm. I know you’re anxious to get out of here, but we go by the book on this one. Stay with Thor. I’ll go with Blaze.

Dragon motioned at Blaze with his gun. The pair jogged toward the tank, vanishing around the corner. Freeborn took point at the front of the Jeep, while Smack and Dodger went up the road, their M16s at the ready.

Look, a stray dog, Smack shouted, pausing to point at a dead mongrel. The ribs were sticking out of its dried hide. Know why we never see any dogs in town? They all get eaten by zombies. I’d give anything to have a puppy.

A snort came from Dodger. We can’t take a puppy back. You don’t want to wake up one morning to find a zombie dog eating your face. Stop staring at it. It’s disgusting.

You’re disgusting, Smack said, popping a bubble.

Keep it down, Freeborn scolded. No screwing around.

Thor put on four lug nuts and picked up the wrench. As he started tightening the first nut, the street erupted with heavy gunfire from the direction taken by Dragon and Blaze. Whisper started firing at zombies. With sweat running down his face, Thor focused on tightening the last three nuts.

Hurry up, Thor, Freeborn shouted. Her shotgun let out a loud boom as she fired at an incoming zombie with a bad limp.

From out of every vacant building and around every corner, snarling, groaning zombies lurched into view. Newly turned zombies led the way, moving faster than the older, deteriorating ones. Most were missing limbs or dragging a crippled leg. Many possessed skeletal faces or were dragging blackened innards as they crept closer. Maggots filled the open cavities in grizzly faces, clinging to exposed organs and guts. The zombies were blown away as Whisper and Freeborn kept up a steady barrage of gunfire.

Finished, Thor shouted. He tossed the toolbox and jack in the back, grabbing his Glock 30 off the dashboard. Taking aim, he blasted three zombies approaching the vehicle, right between the eyes.

Blaze came running down the street, her crossbow slung over her shoulder, a gun in her hand. She paused to shoot a child zombie, not flinching as it dropped to the asphalt, and moved on. A second later, Dragon appeared at the end of the tank, holding a sword in each hand, both covered with thick, black goo. Two fresh zombies reached Freeborn. She fired off a few rounds, blowing off their heads. Blaze ran over to the older girl, standing shoulder to shoulder with her. The two girls plied a group of zombies with bullets as they tumbled out a pharmacy window.

Thor eyed a female zombie in a filthy jogging suit creeping around the hood. He fired, and the zombie dropped. He looked around for the two kids, but only Dragon was visible, standing in the middle of the street, blocking the advance of the zombies. Whisper offered support from a distance, while Dragon swirled and spun, slicing off heads or cutting off legs with his swords. His movements appeared automatic. Zombies fell all around Dragon, but more ghouls arrived to replace the fallen.

Blaze, go find your teammates, Thor shouted.

The Goth girl tossed her crossbow into the front seat of the Jeep. Gun in hand, she took off running. She hadn’t gone fifty yards when she started firing. The noise brought the two kids running out of a store, followed by countless zombies. Thor slid behind the wheel and started the engine. The Tigers ran to the Jeep. Dodger’s coat was splattered with zombie goo, while Smack sported a new red backpack. Thor wanted to throttle both of them. They’d been scavenging, a dangerous thing to do without a full team of six people, and especially dangerous in the middle of a battle.

Showing no fear, Freeborn walked forward, firing her shotgun at the oncoming zombies. Blaze and the kids scrambled over the cage, taking up defensive positions beside Whisper. The sniper remained cool under pressure, firing one bullet after another, never missing. Dodger and Smack reloaded their weapons and commenced firing at the zombies. Blaze blasted the creatures, but no matter how many zombies dropped, a seemingly endless stream continued to amble down the street in both directions, eager to reach the teenagers.

Dragon! Freeborn! Thor shouted. He honked the horn.

With a final sword swipe, Dragon came running toward the vehicle. As Freeborn swung a leg over the side of the cage, a fat zombie in overalls shambled up behind Freeborn. Arms outstretched and groaning loudly, the zombie caught hold of her leg. Pulling Freeborn off the cage, he dragged her shouting and screaming toward the hungry crowd. Thor shot the fat guy in the head.

Get in, Freeborn, Thor said.

Freeborn returned to the Jeep. She placed her foot on the back wheel, diving over the side of the cage and landed hard on her back. Thor slammed his boot onto the accelerator and drove straight into a team of badly chewed football players. Bodies fell beneath the wheels, helmets crunching like walnuts. As the vehicle picked up speed, a staggered line of zombies tried to block their path. The Tigers and Dragon fired at the grim assembly, clearing a path, and Thor drove through the opening, sending the mob whirling out of the way.

Fire trucks are blocking the road up ahead, Dodger shouted, sticking his head between the two front seats. We’re surrounded by deadheads!

Dragon pushed the kid back. At the intersection, a barricade of fire trucks blocked the road. There was no way to drive around the blockade, nor turn around to go back in the opposite direction. Dragon leaned toward Thor, pointing upwards. Along the rooftops ran a figure in a long coat.

It’s not Rafe, Dragon said, his tone firm. Don’t stop!

Do something, Smack screamed. We’re going to crash!

From out of the corner of his eye, Thor saw the way out. A sharp turn took them down a cluttered alley. Large trashcans and shopping carts were hit head-on, to go flying out of the way. A zombie feeding on a cat lifted its head to snarl. His bloody mouth opened as he staggered into their path, holding the grizzly remains by the tail.

Smack let out a scream. The momentum and speed of the Jeep sent the body flying onto the hood. Dragon caught hold of the zombie by the arm, trying to pull him off of the windshield. A bump separated the zombie from its arm, and the creature fell to the road. The arm was tossed aside by Dragon as he sat down.

Turn left here, Dragon said, not at all shaken. I know a shortcut to the Air Force Academy. He turned. Is everyone okay? No injuries? He glanced over at Thor. We’re in good shape, buddy. Ease up. Zombies don’t run.

After a short detour, Thor felt his pulse slow as he drove onto Interstate 25 and found that the vehicles left behind by the citizens of Colorado Springs had been cleared from the right lane. The Dark Angels had been busy. A few pathetic-looking zombies were looking in cars, groaning, and their arms reached out for the Jeep as it sped past. No one on the team bothered shooting them. Thor was pleased; it meant the kids knew without being told that it was wise to conserve their ammunition.

Rafe is dead meat, Blaze shouted into the wind. I’m going to pull his fangs out with pliers when he finally shows up. The Dark Angels must be stupid to let him be their leader. He’s undependable and worthless, as always.

As always, Smack said and Dodger.

Removing a cigar from the pocket of his army coat, Thor stuck it into his mouth. Dragon leaned over, offering him a light. After puffing hard, the tip started to sizzle as Thor let out a cloud of smoke from the side of his mouth. That was too close, he said. You sure that guy on the roof was a Shadowguard? One vampire looks like another to me.

Dragon laid his swords under his feet, reloading his revolver as he spoke. Had to be. That guy moved too fast to be a human. Tandor said there might be Shadowguard in town. He glanced at Thor, a lopsided grin on his face. I know you don’t like vamps, but Tandor and Picasso are all right. I’m glad to have the Dark Angels on our side. If they’re right, and the Kaiser means to stay here permanently, we need to find out his intent.

Two months ago, there weren’t any werepumas or vampires, Thor said. Now we’ve got both. I’m convinced someone created this virus in a lab. Whoever heard of one virus creating so many different kinds of monsters? Face it, Dragon. We’re the last human survivors in the world. The U.S. government doesn’t exist anymore.

Why pick the Air Force Academy? Smack asked, chomping on her chewing gum. I thought it fell first when the Scourge broke out. Can’t be much left of it. I’d have gone to the Hilton. At a tap from Dodger, she bit off half of the wad, promptly sticking it into his open mouth. He gave her a thumbs-up.

Blaze leaned forward. I don’t care what Highbrow says. His dad, the big ex-senator, isn’t coming. There’s no think-tank in Florida. There isn’t anyone left but us.

Then how do you explain the Kaiser and the Shadowguard? Dodger asked. You need humans to make vamps, and only makers can turn them. There seems to be a lot of vampires over there. The Kaiser obviously has vampire-makers working for him.

I can’t, but I’m not ready to give up on the U.S. Marines quite yet, Dragon said. I have to believe help is coming. We just have to hold on until they arrive.

Blaze pointed at a section of the interstate that had been destroyed in a battle. Tanks were pulled off to the side of the road, along with Army trucks and an overturned Jeep. The mangled remains of a jet had left a crater in the ground.

I don’t trust the Dark Angels, Thor said. For all we know, they could still be working for the Kaiser. Who is this guy anyway? Where did he come from? I mean seriously, of all the places a guy could pick, why come here? There’s nothing that special about Colorado, apart from mountains.

Only a half dozen air bases and airports. That adds up to transportation and supplies, Dragon said, his voice stoic. That Shadowguard could have killed us, but he didn’t. My guess is the Kaiser is assessing our strengths and weaknesses. The turn is a half-mile up, so slow down. Still got gas?

Thor nodded. Half a tank. We’re okay.

Thor turned off the interstate, taking the marked road to the Air Force Academy. Gutted buildings bordered the remains of a major battle fought between the Academy cadets and National Guard against the zombies nearly a year ago. People from all around the area had flocked to the Academy, hoping to escape the Scourge, but they had never made it out. Those who had listened to the radio, heeding the advice from a guy called Mr. Oracle, had gone to Pike’s Peak to dig in and fight back. Because of their sacrifice, Thor and his buddies were still alive.

There’s a lot of activity up ahead, Dragon said. Pull off at the next road, and park behind one of those buildings so we can get a closer look.

Thor drove behind the ruins of a former apartment complex. The team climbed out, filing through an open door past several deteriorated corpses. With Thor in the lead, they took the stairs, going up to the top floor. A fire had gutted the complex, and charred bodies filled the stairwell. People had tried to escape but hadn’t gotten very far. Thor reached the top level and opened a door, leading the team out onto the roof. Everyone crouched down, staring over at the new Citadel, while Freeborn guarded the door. Silent as ever, Whisper gazed at the vampires in the main courtyard area through his scope, his left foot twitching.

Okay, maybe the Dark Angels were right, Thor said, peering through his binoculars. The Kaiser is here to stay. There are dozens of trucks and uniformed vamps unloading supplies. I count about three hundred soldiers in the yard. They also have a Black Hawk helicopter. Most of the buildings have windows covered with plastic. It looks like they’re renovating. I see a furniture truck being unloaded, which means they’re moving in permanently.

Dragon took the binoculars from Thor. I see prisoners being led down the sidewalk, he said, his tone grim. They’re being taken to one of the buildings. Can’t tell which one, but I think it’s the music hall. He handed the binoculars to Blaze. I thought about coming here to school but didn’t have high enough grades. Rafe was on the Falcon football team. He lived in one of those burned-out buildings. It would have been helpful if he’d joined us since he knows his way around the campus. He paused. Did anyone bring a camera?

Yep, Blaze said. She handed the binoculars back to Thor. Give it here, Smack.

Smack reached into her new red backpack. Pulling out a digital camera still in its box, along with sealed batteries, she handed the items to Blaze. Blaze put the batteries inside the camera, giving a satisfied nod as she started taking photos. Smack and Dodger exchanged a high five.

Good thinking, you two, but don’t ignore orders again, Thor said. He couldn’t be too mad when the kids had the forethought to acquire a camera. Though curious about what else Smack had taken, he didn’t question the Tigers. They were a solid team.

The Dark Angels know the Kaiser, Dragon said as he watched the traffic on the main road. The met up with him Denver. Tandor and Picasso didn’t like what was going on, so they left with Rose and the others. Rafe joined them a few weeks ago. If the Kaiser is this well-equipped, this fast, he has help. We need to get back.

Returning to the Jeep, Thor and his team piled in. They kept their eyes on the Citadel as they headed back to the interstate. The Shadowguards either hadn’t noticed their arrival or weren’t worried about a few kids in a Jeep snooping around. Thor was relieved. It had been a risk going to the Citadel without Rafe, but he was satisfied they’d obtained the much-needed information without him.

Whatever the Kaiser was planning, Thor knew the camp was in danger.   

* * * * *

Chapter Two

Whisper hopped out of the vehicle at the gate and walked toward the camp. He liked the one-mile walk. Blaze figured a walk would do them both good, so she slung her crossbow over her shoulder and hurried after the boy with the dreadlocks.

Tall green pines, ponderosa, cedars, aspens, and spruces flanked their path. Whisper pressed on without stopping for her, crunching rocks under his boots, oblivious to the beauty around him. Fall was Blaze’s favorite time of year. The leaves of every tree had turned bright shades of red, yellow, and orange.

Blaze caught up with Whisper at the Pillars of Hercules. The two large rock formations rose upwards, more than a thousand feet, casting a shadow over the road where it narrowed.

It’s so pretty here, Blaze said, gazing upwards. We’re removed from everything going on in the city and the Citadel. I wonder how long we have before the Shadowguard comes for us.

Hearing the cry of an eagle, Blaze looked up to see the enormous bird circling overhead and bumped into Whisper. He grabbed her arm, pulling her aside as Freeborn sped by in a golf cart, leaving them in a large cloud of dust.

"Freeborn just has to be the first to tell Cadence what we found out, Blaze said. I already know how Cadence is going to react...we’re going on patrol; no time for fun. She'll probably make us move camp since it’s not safe here anymore...although it never really was. We’ve only been fooling ourselves into thinking we could create a normal life."

Thor sped by on a motorcycle. Behind him followed a golf cart driven by Dragon, with Smack and Dodger in the backseat. Dodger waved at Blaze. Another golf cart passed by, driven by Star. The cart also held the rest of China 6; Blaze hadn’t seen them waiting at the gate. The ninja girls laughed as they passed Blaze and Whisper. No one bothered offering them a ride since it was generally known that Whisper usually walked back to camp after a mission.

Aren’t you worried, Whisper? Blaze asked. There are only thirty Dark Angels. Having them over at the Broadmoor Hotel, instead of here, doesn’t make any sense. Vampires are stronger and faster. You’ve seen what Rafe can do. I don’t like him, no one does except for Cadence and Rose. Rafe said he’d meet us and then doesn’t show up. I’m worried.

Whisper remained silent, and they continued to walk to camp in silence. RVs were set up on either side of the road, merging with several older buildings. The tourist office was used as a barracks by the officers in the Freedom Army. She watched the soldiers drilling in the courtyard, under the supervision of Private Destry. He’d been a lieutenant under the former captain, demoted for ineffectiveness by Cadence. In his forties, Destry was ancient and an idiot as far as Blaze was concerned.

Camp rules significantly changed after Cadence took command. Every kid in camp served as a member of the Freedom Army, no matter their age. Those under twelve weren't allowed to carry guns, but they still were treated like they were important. Micah, one of the Dark Angels, had found a warehouse full of 101st Airborne Division light blue berets and had brought them to camp, so every kid had one to wear. Having this particular beret had become a rite of passage, though most teen patrols continued to wear their old caps with team patches. It still was a nice gesture.

In what was likely a political