Silverview: The Gathering

By R. A. Rosas

Josh Harthering moved into Silverview, hoping to come to some conclusion about his life and the uncertainty he felt about living. After losing his mother, after being kicked out of his home, this city hed never heard of before seemed to be the place where his racing thoughts could possibly find solace and rest. On the Morning of the day after he arrived, Josh awoke to find a man murdered outside his home. Being falsely arrested by Officer Westly Rush, he is taken into custody and is told hell be charged with the crime. That is until a block in the rode changes everything in Silverview. The dead are walking. Josh Harthering and Westly Rush must now find their way through the city after being attacked and separated after a the crash that nearly kills both.
Josh finds himself on the property of Clive Reed, a man still full of regret for his failed marriage. The two must come together quickly and find a solution to survive the horror that is now filling the streets. Josh as well must confront his inner demons, the darkness that had devoured him, following him from his childhood and try to find the light amidst the sorrow he has drowned within. There is little time in the day and the night only brings more danger as the walking dead grow in numbers and become more vicious; and the survivors must overcome their own fears and live to another morning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 21, 2008
• ISBN: 9781469116648

R. A. Rosas

Born in Southern California in the City of Pomona, R. A. Rosas developed a passion for writing during his early years. He is the youngest of three siblings. Among writing, his hobbies also include drawing, gaming and collecting comics as well as anime. Silverview: The Gathering is his first published book.

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Copyright © 2008 by R. A. Rosas.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

EPILOGUE

CLOSING

CHAPTER 1

Josh woke up to the sound of a heavy engines roar outside his window early in the morning. His eyes caught the time from the alarm-radio on his nightstand, it was 4:40 a.m., March 6th, just barely was the sun lighting up the sky. Josh sat up, walking over to his room window to see the car, a black Mustang sitting there, though without a driver. He’d never seen this car before, or at least never noticed it about town. He reached for the shirt he’d slung over his lamp before going to bed the previous night. Slipping into the Rolling Stones t-shirt and into some shoes, Josh opened the door to his one bedroom apartment. The morning air was cold, it felt like rain, he thought noticing the heavy clouds gathering in the sky. As Josh walked to the car, he noticed a leg sticking out from the passenger side of the Mustang.

Hello, he said, can I help you?

There wasn’t an answer, but a sound did bring Josh to near the roaring car and peek in, he saw a guy lying down, his face in the driver seat. He called out once more, asking if he needed help.

If you’re looking for someone, I could try to help. I don’t really know these people living here. I only moved in last week.

But Josh felt scared, his rambling was to hide the shaking of his stomach. Going around the car, he reached in and went for the guy’s leg. When he gathered that this person was asleep, he shook hard to wake him up. Receiving no response, Josh started yelling, trying to bring the guy from unconsciousness. Turning him over, Josh found that he was bleeding from his face. Pulling the guy out, he tried to find the wound. Then he noticed the gaping hole on the neck, the blood barely coming out. Josh jumped back, tripping over his own feet. Holy shhh… Jeez!

The guy fell limp and lied there still. Josh stood up, not knowing what to do. He stepped forward, but then stopped. Maybe this guy was still alive, perhaps he could revive him. He knelt down and lied him flat on his back. He’d remembered how to perform CPR from the lessons in school. His eyes lowered seeing that this man’s stomach had been ripped out. No doubt about it, he was dead. Josh stood up breaking into a panic. His legs feeling like they’d give out, Josh walked back into his apartment. Looking for his cell, the tears came out for his fear had peaked. What happened to the man out there, who’d be able to do something so horrible?

As he dialed 911, he heard someone screaming outside. With the phone in his hand, he ran over to the door and saw a lady standing over the dead guy. Josh called out to her, saying he was calling for the police. She looked up at him and then fell down to her knees. The operator, or dispatcher picked up the line and asked for the emergency. Hello, my name is Josh Harthering. I have a man out side my home, and uh… he’s dead…

He’s dead?

Yes.

How do you know that, sir?

He’s bloody, his neck is bleeding.

Are you sure he’s dead though, sir?

His damn stomach and neck have been torn out. Of course he’s dead, Josh answered, Can’t you send somebody?

As Josh gave the dispatcher the address, the lady began to cry out louder. He ran out and kneeled down next to her, taking her hand into his. Then the dispatcher asked, Do you know when the man was killed, sir?

No, he answered, I just woke up this morning, heard the engine from the Mustang and came outside. That’s when I found him.

Do you know his name, sir?

His name?

It’s Jake Rodgette, he’s my boyfriend. The lady said. She was about Forty years old, had long straight hair, blonde. Josh felt awful as he watched her cry over the young man, probably the same age as Josh, 26. He handed his cell over to her so she could talk to the dispatcher. Giving her name first, which was Kate, she began to explain the last time she’d seen him alive. Josh listened, hearing that after their date last night, Jake was suppose to pick her up this morning for her doctors appointment. She said she was pregnant. Kate started crying harder, then grabbed a handful of Jake’s clothes and screamed. Josh took hold of her, also taking the cell. He talked to the dispatcher, saying that Kate would need an ambulance as well.

Sometime later the siren could be heard, Josh looked up and spotted the police driving up. He stood up, waving so they’d see him. The police officer stepped out of his squad car. His was a big guy, standing about 6'3 or so. Josh looked up, being only 5'7 he had too. Heard we’ve gotta dead one…

Kate looked at him, he barley showed any care for the situation. Josh begun to explain his scenario, from the minute he woke up to that very second.

I’m just so shocked, sir. I only moved into Silverview last week. I didn’t expect something like this to happen. I’m just shocked… I’ve never seen anything like this in my entire life. Never seen dead person before.

Sure, the cop replied walking over the scene.

He stayed there observing this cop.

More time passed, Josh was sitting on the one step of his apartment. He watched as the paramedics checked on Kate, she was still crying. His cell phone then started to ring, answering it to hear his friends voice.

Hey, Josh, he said, thought we were suppose to meet at seven… what going on?

Is it seven already? Josh rubbed his head, Tommy, I’m sorry, but something happened here at my new apartment. I found some guy in a Mustang killed. His stomach ripped out…

Man… seriously?

No kidding, he replied, found him outside. He was dead in his car. His girlfriend lives in the house next to mine. She’s out with the paramedics and cops right now.

Did they catch who killed the dude?

No, there’s nothing that I can see, but of course I’m not a cop. Josh said, they’re trained for this kind of thing. They’ll find something, I’m sure.

Tommy explained that he’d meet Josh later, and as they closed their conversation, the large police officer walked over to him with a swagger of arrogance. Josh stood up and asked if there was anything else he could do. The police officer said, Are you sure you didn’t see anything?

No, Josh once again started to explain, but then was stopped with the cop telling him to turn around. What?

You’re under arrest, sir, he started to read him his rights. He grabbed Josh’s wrist tightly. Though the young man protested, he was smart enough not to fight back against this huge police officer as he was handcuffed. As Officer Rush led him to the squad car, Kate watched with teary eyes. She stood then and ran towards the two men. With a large rock in hand, Kate struck Josh’s head as hard as she could. He fell down to his right knee, Officer Rush pulled him to stand by holding him by his shoulder.

Step back, ma’am, Rush ordered politely, This crazy son of a bitch is going away.

I seen you yesterday staring at us! Kate screamed, Why’d you have to kill him?!

I didn’t… Josh cried, this is a mistake, you’ve all made a terrible mistake.

Officer Rush pushed him to walk, his legs weak and head spinning, Josh couldn’t stay in a straight line. What now, you on drugs too?

I can’t see right, he answered, feeling a trickle of blood sliding down his face. Rush opened the door to his car and pushed Josh to sit down. As he closed the door, the young man felt his head become lighter. Nausea then set in and he felt as if he’d vomit. He looked, watching as all the people just stood around laughing. What the hell, Josh thought, these people are crazy.

Sitting there alone, thinking about the passing weeks and all the trouble that had accompanied them. Josh started crying harder, thinking of all the emotional places he’d been. The reasons why he was even here were hard to deal with. His mother had passed away a month ago, he was living with her and his step father. After that, things changed drastically. He’d found a letter asking him to move out. While it came at an unsuspecting time, it was really no surprise. His step father was an asshole about everything, even how much laundry soap was used. Josh moved out that night with his friend Tommy. He searched for a place, finding his apartment with the help from Tommy’s girlfriend outside of his hometown. Silverview sounded like a nice place, only now he wished he’d done more research.

Officer Rush walked back towards the car, opened the door and sat down. As he was closing the door, he said to Josh, You are one sick guy, the way you killed that poor man.

I didn’t kill him! Josh screamed, leaning forward.

Officer Rush elbowed him, hitting Josh’s nose. Watch yourself there, boy. I sometimes have these involuntary movements and just swing my arms wildly.

You did that on purpose, Josh’s nose bled quite badly.

Are you accusing me of police brutality?

Josh stayed quiet, he started to understand the kind of person he was dealing with. He’d seen movies and read books about things like this. The cop always got what was coming to him, but this wasn’t a movie. And Josh didn’t know anyone in this town. There was only his friends, and they lived back in his hometown. He looked out the window at Kate as Officer Rush pulled away. Her eyes fixed on him, her stare full of hate. Josh wished he could prove he was innocent, but didn’t think he’d be given the chance.

Not here…

The road Rush took was quite long and badly damaged. Josh knew Silverview was big, he knew of the many business’ that were about town and how large some of the buildings were. But he didn’t know of this part, the country side of town. Here it was thick with trees and unattended fences that needed repair. The long grass and weeds covered mostly everything, but the road. He noticed as they drove down the road, a dead calf lying near the side of the road. It ribs exposed and insides lying in display.

Do you all just leave dead cows lying on the side of the street? Josh asked.

Yup, he answered, wild cats and dogs need to eat too. Can’t let them starve.

Josh shook his head at this cops sarcasm. Looking out the window again, he caught a glimpse of someone running through the trees. He turned back and tried to see, but Rush sped up. Turning back forward, he saw a person running in front of the squad car just as they hit him. Officer Rush tried to turn, but was going too fast to change directions quickly enough. The man Rush hit flew back far into the road. Stopping, Rush looked back and asked Josh if he was all right.

I think so, but obviously shaken.

Rush opened his door and stepped out, closing it before walking away. He ran over towards the man lying on the road, Josh tried to see, but was having some trouble with the headache and blood that had dripped into his eye. He could see Rush’s back as he kneeled down. Sitting back, Josh closed his eyes thinking about this very bad morning. Looking up again he saw rush running back towards the car.

He yelled out, This guy is still alive, he was about to open the door when the man Rush just ran down stood up. Josh stared as he saw the bloody man walking towards the car.

He’s gotta be injured pretty bad, Josh said loudly.

It’d be better if you lied still, sir, Officer Rush said. But then bloody man came closer still.

Josh could see him now as he neared the front of the car, noticing half his face was gone. He started yelling that he needed help, but Rush stood still. He wasn’t moving. Josh started to yell that Rush needed to radio for an ambulance. Opening the door slightly, Rush called for Josh to shut up. A sound came from behind the car, Josh turned around and saw two more bloody people, one man and the other a woman. They walked slow, the man obviously dragging his feet. There’s more hurt people!

Rush turned around just as one lunged himself at the cop. He pushed him back, but not before the man scratched Rush’s face deeply. That’s assault of an officer, asshole. Rush pulled his gun out from his holster and aimed it. Get down on you Stomach! But he didn’t, the man kept on going towards the cop. All three now were around the car. One started to pound on the window to Josh’s right.

He saw the lady now, she was different… she was all pale and bloody. Her eye-whites were now red, blood dripped off of her body. Three of the lady’s fingers were gone, Josh noticed as she pounded on the window. He started screaming when he saw Rush being attacked by the other two.

Get the fuck off of me! Rush ordered, punching one and kicking the other. He aimed his gun and warned before pulling the trigger. The gun went off, Rush had shot him pointblank in his head. His brains splattered against the window, Josh saw all the blood paint the car. He couldn’t stop screaming as the whole shooting played out right in front of him.

You shot him! Josh became hysterical, trying to get out from the back seat.

Had too, Rush said, Damn asshole wouldn’t stop coming at me. He kept the gun up, aiming it at the other man. He was still coming at Rush, and though he didn’t want to shoot, he felt he was given no choice. Pulling the trigger again, shooting the man in his leg. Falling down, he started to drag himself towards the cop. Damn guy’s still coming at me.

Josh rolled over the front seat, trying to go for the door. He saw Rush shoot downwards, his face full of question. He looked up and noticed Josh in the front now. He opened the door and sat down.

Did you see them crazy people? Rush was shaken, he closed the door and looked back at the lady trying to break the window. Damn crazy woman, what the hell is wrong with them?

Josh was still terrified, he moved to the door, his hands still cuffed behind him.

Get that stupid look off your face, Rush said.

You shot them both, he said, you killed them.

I only did what I had too…

Officer Rush started the squad car and drove off. He was going even faster now, turning sharply at the corner of the road. He was driving faster with every turn. Josh was asking him to slow, but Rush wouldn’t listen. His concentration was on the people, the insane look they had. As he drove, he saw in the road more people gathered walking in a group. As he looked closely, he saw they were like the men that attack him.

There’s more, he said to Josh.

The two of them felt frightened, the sickening feelings that something had changed in the town sank into their minds. Rush slowed down, the group full of bloody people noticed the squad car and turned towards it.

They’re coming at us, Josh said trying so sit without hurting his hands. Turn the damn car around.

What the fuck are they!? Rush yelled, seeing that some were missing limbs, while others crawled on the ground. Well I’m not stopping to find out.

Pushing the pedal to the floor, Officer Rush drove full force into the crowd. They didn’t move thought to Rush’s surprise, these strange people all reached forward as the car crashed into them. Rush turned the steering wheel quickly, causing the vehicle to spin. Facing in the way they’d come, Rush stared out his window at one certain person. Shit, that’s my nephew out there with them.

He rolled down the window and called, Zackery, what the hell are you doing?!

Josh saw him, he carried the same blank stare as all the others. He was dirty, and painted with blood. Josh said to Rush, He’s like them, he’s crazy. His mind is gone.

Officer Rush slapped Josh. Shut the fuck up!

What the hell, Josh pressed against the door. Look at them, they’re like zombies. They’re eating each other. They’re probably the ones that killed Kate’s boyfriend.

One of these people reached into the window, grabbing hold of Rush’s neck. It tried to join them in the car, but Rush planted his foot to the floor and they took off. He had no control over the car, and as he drove, the whole vehicle swerved off and on the road. Josh saw as they were about to drive into a ditch and tried to hold something with his legs.

The car flew off the road, flipping over and down into the dirt. The sirens were on, the flashing lights underneath the flipped car Josh could barely see as he came to. He was on his neck, his arms still cuffed behind his back. Turning his head slightly, Josh could see Officer Rush lying there.

He was unconscious, he was bleeding from his mouth and nose. The widows were all shattered, one was gone. Josh turned himself in the tight area between the seats and crushed hood. Josh had to push himself out, sliding over the broken glass all around. As he made his way out, he stood up. His arms hurt, they felt sore, but he couldn’t move them around.

The handcuffs were still locked on his wrist. And seeing the crazy people coming closer, Josh knew things were about to get worse.

CHAPTER 2

Leaning against the car, Josh called for Officer Rush to wake up. He wasn’t able to revive him, and the morbid crazies were getting closer. He counted at least fifteen, all of them were in the strange trance. Josh looked down into the car and saw that Officer Rush was gone… dead, so it appeared. He felt awful, but couldn’t wait around and express those feelings. He started running through the long grass, lifting his legs high so he wouldn’t trip or the grass blades would wrap around his feet. He glanced back and saw them surrounding the car, all had reached the wreckage and now were going for Officer Rush. Josh slowed and watched as the gathered went for their victim.

What’s going on? Josh couldn’t grasp the situation, too much at one time. His first thought was to get into town and inform the rest of the police about what happened. He turned and realized he didn’t know where he was. This was his first time even being in this part of Silverview. He started walking through the grass, feeling the moist ground beneath. There were mud puddles, along with dead birds and vermin. Josh stepped over these as he went on, but kept his attention to his surroundings. Every sound he heard, every movement of the grass and Josh’s heart would drop with his stomach.

The sound of flowing water brought him towards the stream. He looked down at the sloping land, the fresh water moving into the lake for which this town was named. Stepping forward, Josh tried to make his way to the water. He’d just follow the flow towards the town, he thought. But Josh couldn’t walk down safely, he tripped over some weeds and stone, tumbling down into the water. It was shallow here, so he was in no danger of drowning. Although he wasn’t going to drown, he wasn’t safe. He could hear something close by, coming through the grass. He waited there, lying on his side staring at the grass moving. His heart was pounding in his chest, his pulse quickened. The grass parted and out walked a small lamb. Josh exhaled and turned around, his eyes catching the moving water as something under the surface neared. Pushing himself only with his legs away from the water, Josh tried to stand. Emerging then was a person, one of them. Josh moved faster, but not enough to escape the view the crazed man. He was different than the others, his skin color was more pale, and he looked to be decomposing. Leaning forward, he went for the cuffed and fearful Josh.

Get away! he screamed kicking at his attacker.

A cry from the lamb, Josh glanced over and saw five more people ripping apart the small animal. He screamed even louder, calling for help. They heard, and all headed for him. He panicked and cried for anyone, but knew no one would hear. Josh started kicking at the wet one, trying to move at the same time. The moaning he gave sounded like it was in pain, but it didn’t stop coming for him. The shadows of the five covered Josh as he fought off one. Looking up, seeing their faces coming towards him, he realized he couldn’t fight off all these things. Josh rolled himself away into the water. There he was able to stand. They kept on coming, the wet man seemed a bit faster. Josh backed away, turning to run. He was able to quickly dodge the hands of the decomposing man. He ran in the water, losing one shoe and it stuck in the ground beneath. Josh glanced back, finding he outran the six. He slowed, still crying for the fear overtook his mind for the moment.

I have to get theses damn cuffs off, he said, No way I’m going to escape if I run into more of those things.

The squad car was surrounded by the crazed people. Officer Rush opened his eyes and saw their feet walking around. He turned to see Josh, the seat was empty. Rush turned over, barely enough room to move though. He seen his shotgun there, it had just been loaded. Earlier today while still at the station, his buddy, Officer Hammer loaded it.

Thank God for good friends, Rush said.

He reached for it, feeling the cold metal in his hands always brought Rush a feeling of home. He was raised around guns and understood the power they had. He was also obsessed with collecting the weapons. Something he’d probably never outgrow. His thoughts wondered as he lied there surrounded by these crazed people looking like something took over them.

What the hell, Rush said as he saw one crawling towards him. It wasn’t immediate, but he noticed this guy was missing his lower body. It also moved quite slower than the rest. Officer Rush kicked out the shattered window near his feet. He slid backwards, hoping there wasn’t too many on that side. As he finally escaped the wreckage, he felt a bunch of hands grabbing at his clothes. Rush swung the hilt of the shotgun around, smacking on over the head. He didn’t think it was that hard, but the crazed man’s skull cracked. He fell down and shook violently.

Officer Rush fought the others off, swinging the shotgun, threatening to open fire if they didn’t cease with their aggressive behavior. But he knew they wouldn’t, he witnessed the mindless attack on his car while driving Josh to the station. Turning around and running, Rush yelled out he was going to shoot. He turned back as one leapt forward. He aimed the barrel and pulled the trigger. The spray from the shotgun was so close to the crazed man’s head, his entire skull ruptured from the force of the weapon.

The others didn’t come to a halt when seeing this. Rush aimed the barrel again and yelled, I’m warning you, I’ll not hesitate to protect myself.

Rush knew talking to them would do nothing. But in all his training, it was his nature. Three lined up in front of him, he didn’t really think they’d listen anymore, and their appearance was so grotesque, Rush wasn’t too sure they even understood what he was saying. Like his nephew, they weren’t listening to anything that was said. He felt he was given no choice, but to shoot.

The blast tore through the three, ripping into their arms and chest. They fell back, but then to Rush’s surprise, all stood up and proceeded to stagger towards him. There was only a shred of skin holding on the front ones arm. It tore off and fell to the dirt. Officer Rush had never seen something as disturbing as this. But something similar to the scent filled that flowed in the air brought back a memory.

He recalled a moment last year when he received a new partner, his name was Cameron Carter. He was ready to deal with anything, so he thought. Carter didn’t expect his first run to involve a murdered family. When they arrived on the scene, the insane man was swinging around a scythe. He’d sliced up the