Dead Hearts (Book 2): Forsaken Hearts Read online

  Forsaken Hearts

  Dead Hearts Book Two

  By

  Susanne L. Lambdin

  PUBLISHED BY: Theogony Books

  Copyright © 2017 Susanne L. Lambdin

  All Rights Reserved

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  by Susanne L. Lambdin at:

  http://www.susannelambdin.com/

  * * * * *

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  * * * * *

  Dedicated to my loving parents.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Also by Susanne L. Lambdin

  About The Author

  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. School yards, hospitals, and parking lots, however, still attracted the locals. Zombies lingered on playgrounds or at entrances to emergency rooms, ambling by shopping carts and trash cans, 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 a professional stunt driver.

  “Those nuts are getting too far ahead,” said Thor, 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,” said Dragon. “Turn left at the next corner. We’re 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,” said Whisper. 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 a 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,” shouted Freeborn.

  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, nearly toppling 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,” shouted Thor. “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 tool box, 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 back of the vehicle, his rifle raised, peering through the scope for zombies.

  “I thought you might need a hand,” said Freeborn.

  “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 school girl, with pigtails, a Scottish 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?” asked Smack in a cheery voice. At twelve, she was more a mascot than a soldier, but she was still a descent 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,” said Dragon, 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,” shouted Smack, 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,” said Smack, 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,” shouted Freeborn. 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 gun fire.

  “Finished,” shouted Thor. He tossed the toolbox and jack in 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,” shouted Thor.

  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,” said Thor.

  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,” shouted Dodger, sticking his head between the two front seats. “We’re surrounded by dead heads!”

  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,” said Dragon, 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 trash cans 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,” said Dragon, not at all shaken. “I know a short cut 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,” said Smack 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. Puffing hard, the tip started to sizzle. 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,” said Thor. “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?” asked Smack, 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?” asked Dodger. “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,” said Dragon. “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 of to the side of the road, along with Army trucks and overturned Jeeps. The mangled remains of a jet had left a crater in the ground.

  “I don’t trust the Dark Angels,” said Thor. “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.