Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Happy December All!

November has left and December is upon us. This month is a really open one for the blog with only The Darkest Dawn as planned posts. I am going to attempt a holiday story as well as a new Christmas poem, in order to gear up for the new year. Before moving on though, I'd like to reflect upon the end of Under a Dead Sun.

The previous post was the last chapter of the story. It was forty installments over the course of about 6 months and to be honest, I am a little sad to see it end. I really liked writing this serial, and keeping to the basic premise of flash fiction. Just a few paragraphs of a story that can be read individually or as a whole for the bigger picture.

The Darkest Dawn has elapsed more into the realm of a short story with each installment. My goal is to take a few weeks off and just focus on that serial, before relaunching in January with something new. Back to the basics with shorted one to three chapter stories to keep in alignment with the goals of flash fiction. New Darkest Dawn will now be moving to Sundays, much more conducive to my current work schedule.

I think my goal with Dead Sun was met. Creating and writing stories on a regular basis, a first for me. I kept to my deadlines pretty closely and I would like to think that there is a bit of improvement in terms of story growth. I still think my biggest problem is pre-planning. I start writing with a clear end in mind and take it from there. In some ways it allows for better spontaneity, but in others it hurts me bot having a set story structure to follow. I am hoping that continued efforts will bring better results, something I am trying to do with Darkest Dawn.

Before I end this look back I have two key things to mention. Thank you to anyone who bothered to read this piece of pulp nonsense. I don't pretend by any means that I am any good, I just love writing. Also a special thank you to my room mate Jason, who provided the inspiration for me to write in the first place and who created the kick ass mock cover shown image above. The fact that he took the time out of his busy day to do it meant a lot to me. Thank you. Maybe we'll see it one day my friend. Maybe one day.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 40

Epilogue

Billy and Katee walked hand in hand as they crested the last hill, leading to a small valley where lay the town of Desperation. They shared a brief kiss and held each other tightly as they quickened their pace down the slight hill slope. Desperation was dark, though several lights still burned in the windows. It was still twilight and the early rays of the sun were still a few minutes away from breaking.

They followed the train tracks to the bottom of the hill and kept up their pace as they trotted the last mile to town. The tracks lay on a flat stretch of land and they kept a steady pace. Every few moments, Katee would look over at Billy. Both were bloody and beaten, from fighting and running and trying to stay alive, and each knew the other was pushing on for the other's sake. Katee saw a man who had risked everything to keep her safe. The first man she had looked at in a long time that didn't treat her like what she was. Or at least what she use to be. A man who loved her.

Billy saw a woman unlike any he had ever known. Fierce, tough, loyal, and independent, Katee was a woman who could take care of herself. She had a smile that was real and infectious, and Billy couldn't help but feel lighter, like his worries were fading away, with each smile she shared with him and each step he took beside her. As they neared town, he knew this was the woman he loved.

As they neared closer to the town, a dull glow appeared in the East, the first hint of the sunrise. Spurned on by this thought they moved quicker. As they reached the outskirts of town though, something caught Billy's eye that didn't seem right. He slowed his pace and looked over to Katee, who had been looking at him but turned back to the path ahead when he had slowed. The two were still holding hands when they reached it. There on the ground they looked at it. A man, heavyset, in a brown suit, laying face down in the dirt just outside of town.

Motioning for Katee to stay put, Billy let go of Katee's hand and crept forward. Crouching down, he set his rifle on the ground and cleared out the pistol he had recovered from the train. Slowly, he turned the body on its side wary all the time, never taking the barrel of the gun away from the body. Katee could see the expression on his face even before he had even finished turning the body. The man's face had grown yellow, mouth engorged and fanged, his expression narrow and angry. His stomach had been ripped open and stripped clean on its contents. The man's fingers ended in sharp dark red points, with the stains of blood and pus evident on his lips and in the dirt below.

Whatever had happened in Contention had followed them to Desperation.

Katee's eyes went wide with fear, and tears flowed down her dirt ridden face. Billy got up and put his arm around her. She buried her face in his chest and wept as Billy rubbed her hair. He watched as the sun broke the crest of the horizon, a sun grown black, illuminating the world in an unearthly dull light. It was then he could hear movement coming from the direction of the town. Slow, shambling steps that echoed across the valley walls. Billy knew then that there was no escaping this. No running away. They were trapped, wherever they went on this Earth, under a dead sun.

The End.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 39

Prologue

The wind blew across the desert sands, brush and tumble weeds rustling through the prairie. The moon hung low in the western sky in the waning hours of twilight, just before the dawn. It was warm still in the desert as the final rays of moonlight fell across the secluded valley. The wind blew through the ragged remnants of the village that had lay there. You could still hear the slight flapping of the tent flaps and torn banners that lay strewn about the carcasses of the dead men in the camp sight.

Bodies, Indian and Cavalry alike, had been killed in a violent clash. The Armies of the Cavalry having descended in the isolated village. Each side had fought viciously, the Cavalry with superior numbers, the Indians with superior purpose. Each Indian had fought like 10 men, staying alive long after shots and swords had pierced their breast. After the last Indian had fallen, the wounded and dis-spirited Cavalry riders had left the accursed village behind, forgoing their own dead and beating a hard pace home.

Now as the first rays of dawn broke from the east, a terrible sight was beheld by all who watched it rise that day. A sun, black as the pitch of night, rose in the distance. Black rays of sun light plunging the Earth into a dim shadow, like a night sky with no stars. When the first rays shone down upon the ancient Indian Valley, across the bodies of the fallen who had spilled their blood in this most sacred of places, the Earth was reborn. For those who had died the day before, now life returned to their bodies. Each fallen rose, their bodies thick and bloated from the sun, shambled in different directions. Each with a wide razor sharp maw stretched open, waiting and hungry. For the flesh of those still alive.


End of line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 38

The explosion was deafening. The bridge shattering in an array of metal and wood that showered Billy and Katee on the engine. The trailing cars tumbled down Hicken's Gorge, end of over end as they erupted in flames and smoke. The lead engine cleared the edge of the track just as the final final explosion ripped the rails from the mooring brackets.

Billy pulled himself off of Katee having covered her from the debris. He put his arm around her and looked behind them at the smoke wafting from the bottom of the gorge. Bits of wood and metal were lodged in Katee's tousled hair, and the two of them were covered in cuts and scrapes. Billy turned to look at Katee, hair askew, face covered in soot and blood, her dress tattered, and smiled. He brushed a stray strand of hair away and pulled her in close, sharing a long and hard kiss.

They kissed for a long time as the train slowly lost speed along the tracks, the only sound the coughing sputter of the dying engine. Finally they pulled apart and Katee looked up at Billy, her Billy. His face was a mess of cuts and dirt, dark trails of dried blood along his ears, and she smiled back. They held each other together, Katee's face buried deep into his chest as she cried until the engine finally died and drew to a stop.

"Come on Katee. If we walk through the night we can make Desperation by mornin'. We can find some help, and tell people what happened. If they believe us."

"As long as I am with you, I'll be okay."

They gathered up their meager supplies and weapons and headed west along the tracks. Walking hand in hand, they watched as the black sun overhead finally drew to a close and the moon rise in the east. They were almost free.


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 37

Katee watched from the car as the train sped out of Contention. She saw the undead creatures swarm the station but couldn't get that final image out of her head, the freshly bloodstained face of Reny Cargill, simple General Store owner, who had killed his own child. She felt Bill's hand on her shoulder as he pulled her into a half hug.

"It'll be okay Katee. It'll be okay. We're safe now."

Katee turned back into Billy and he held her tight as she quietly wept. The three of them stood there for several moments as Katee wept, Billy holding gently and Sheriff Root looking on. Finally Katee stopped crying and looked up to Billy, a grateful smile lighting up her watery eyes.

"Thanks Billy..."

Billy nodded, and the three of them picked up their equipment. They had boarded the train towards the rear of the car, though there were several between them and the caboose. Their car was strangely empty. Billy watched Root ease his gun out of his holster and look around.

"I don't like this. The train didn't stop and no one is on this car, or has come back to see us. We should head for the engine, check on the the conductor, or whoever the fuck is drivin' this thing. Billy, check the car behind us and I'll check out the next one. Whatever is going on, I don't wanna take any fucking chances."

Billy moved around Katee and held up his rifle. Katee eased the old Navy revolver clear and covered Root as he entered the next car. Root eased through the car slowly, alert, before he heard Billy shout.

"There on the FUCKIN' TRAIN!"

Billy looked as a group of the creatures pulled off of the body they had been feeding on. They were covered in the same gore and blood, wide jaws stretched beyond recognition, yellowed teeth ending in sharp spikes.

"GET BACK. GET THE FUCK BACK!"

Billy worked his rifle twice, one shot spraying the head of one of the creatures against the window, the other blowing out ones knee. Billy bolted across the gap in the carts as he watched the crippled one pull itself towards him still. As he dived through the original carts opening Katee slammed the door shut, throwing the simple lock.

Root looked down to Billy and held out his hand, helping him up.

"Billy, I'm thinking next time we take the fuckin' stage!"

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 35

Reny held his gun out in front of him, his body torn and shredded from numerous cuts and bites. Sweat poured from his brow and his hands shook, the unstable gun still aimed at Katee. Billy looked at him, seeing how Reny's skin had turned sallow and his eyes took on a yellow haze.

"Where are my children?"

Reny repeated the phrase and Katee bent down to pick up his baby, still swaddled at her feet. Root glanced through the depot's window at the advancing monsters, and heard the train as it began to roar into the station, with no signs of slowing. Root knew that what he decided to do next would either save himself, or damn him forever. he glanced first at Billy, jerking his head towards the window, motioning him to watch their rear. Next beckoned to Katee, indicating her to hand over the baby.

"Reny.. look, here is your daughter. Take her. She is here just as we said she would be."

Katee turned angrily toward the Sheriff, clutching the baby tight to her chest.

"Root... you can't be serious! Look at him!"

"Katee, it's the only way. We have to make that train. There's NO TIME! Its her, or us."

Reny jerkily walked forward to meet Katee, each step more labored than before. His gun slipped from his grasp as he reached out to take the infant. His arms shook worse with each step and his rasping breath led a trail of blood down his lip, blackened blood turned sour.

"Please....."

Reny had said those words, the phrase sending flecks of corrupted blood from his mouth as he reached out to take the baby. Katee reluctantly offered him the child, never taking her eyes of of Reny. With a final desperate motion, Reny took the baby from Katee's arms as she scurried backwards, tears running down her already streaked face.

Reny collapsed to the floor, holding his baby close, muttering incoherent words to her, as the three survivors broke out the back door and dashed for the speeding train, already nearly clear of the station. Root hoisted Katee up to the first cart as it sped by and grabbed the railing, holding out his arm for Billy to grab. With a final look, Billy glanced over his shoulder to look at the town of Contention, and the last thing he saw was Reny's face at the window, fresh blood dripping from his mouth.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 34

Billy could still hear Katee crying. It hadn't been easy killing Claire like that, but better by their hand than turning into one of them. The likelihood was that Reny probably wouldn't even make it to the train to see his baby, let along realize that Claire had died. Billy gathered up his rucksack and rifle and met Billy at the window.

It was almost time to make for the train, and while it had been quiet downstairs, they hadn't heard any gunshots from Reny in a while either. Root and Billy didn't say a word as they picked up the last of the supplies, Billy looking at Katee as she wiped the tears from her face. She had strapped the scattergun over her shoulder and had the pistol in her holster, Reny's last child in her arms.

"I'm ready."

Root led the way out the window and across the balcony. There were no signs of the creatures as he dropped to the street. Billy looked at the strange black sun lower against the western sky as he lowered Katee and the baby to Root's waiting arms, then dropping down himself. The three made their way along the side of the street, sticking to the shadows, heading towards the center of town and the train.

As they approached the depot, Billy could hear the first sounds of the trains whistle and he knew that it would attract the undead. It was important to get to the depot first and create a defensible position if they were going to have any chance of getting on board alive.

They reached the depot without meeting any of the creatures, much to their surprise and took up positions inside the clerks office. The office had been destroyed and signs of a fight were evident, the telegraph had been destroyed and there were blood splatters over the floors and walls. The group watched through teh windows for any sign of the creatures as the sounds of the train grew closer.

"THERE!"

Sheriff Root had spotted it first, a lone straggler shuffling their direction, but more soon followed behind. Root brought up his rifle and took aim, but held his shot. There were so many....more and more the creatures streamed into the street, coming from the direction that Reny had gone.

"Look, all we have to do is hold out a few minutes, then we can break for the train and get the fuck out of here."

Root had tried to remain optimistic, but the three tired survivors knew the score. There were to many. Still Root took aim as the first of the creatures lumbered forth and fired. Katee bundled the baby of the floor in the corner and joined in, her revolver sounding shot after shot. Soon the dead began to pile in front of the small depot as each member hurriedly loaded and reloaded, shot after shot.

"LOOK! THE TRAIN!"

Billy peeled his eyes from the carnage in front of him to see the the train steaming at full speed. There was no sight of the engineer attempting to break as the train approached the station.

"WERE GONNA HAFTA JUMP FOR IT!"

Root continued to fire into the masses as Billy turned back to grab his bag. That's when he heard Katee scream. Both men turned around to see Reny Cargill in the depots rear doorway, bloody and torn.

"Where is my daughter?"


End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 33

Billy looked at the group of ragged survivors. Root seemed to be holding up well enough still, but the rest didn't look as good. Katee was weary, her hands shaking every time she glanced at Reny or Claire. Claire lay curled in a ball at her fathers feet as he caressed his baby. Reny was streaked with blood and cuts, and Katee had already told him of the bite marks she had seen on both of them.

"Listen.. we can't stay here and we can't ignore what we know."

Billy looked meaningfully at Root and Reny.

"We are gonna have to make for the train. Its the only chance we got of gettin' out of town and gettin' to some help. We stay here we are gonna die. The longer we wait... well let's be fuckin' honest here Reny, your gonna turn into one of them. We seen the marks."

Reny held his baby tightly, tears streaking down his face. He slowly lowered himself to pull his other daughter even closer.

"I.....know. Look... I'll draw them away from the store.... just....just promise me that you'll keep my babies safe."

Katee, tears flowing down her face, slowly lowered herself down to Reny's level. She reached out and took the baby from his arms. Reny, slowly giving the daughter away, reached out to Claire afterward, drawing her close as well.

In the embrace he looked up to Katee, Billy, and Root.

"Look, I don't know when this will happen. But I will fight it with all my being to meet you at the train. I want to see my daughters off safely and if it comes down to it...if I become one of them.... don't you fucking hesitate."

The three of them nodded as Reny pushed his daughter away. She was already growing fevery and flushed, sweat on her brow. Katee took her hand and led her to the bedroom, the little girl never making a sound.

Reny picked himself up, and strapped on his gun belt and grabbed his rifle. He checked his ammunition and put on his hat, then went out the door to the balcony. He looked back over his shoulders.

"I'll see you in 20 minutes."

With that, he hopped over the railing, and ran towards the undead.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash FIction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 32

Elma let out a wail as Claire slipped on the steps, falling in a clatter of ammunition. She tumbled backwards hitting her head in the stair frame as the undead lay in wait below. Reny, still covered in blood and pus, looked on helplessly as Billy and Sheriff Root pulled him up the stairs forcibly. Katee, already at the top of the stairs, moved aside as Root and Billy pulled him up.

"IT'S TO LATE. GET INSIDE AND SHUT THE DOOR. THERE'S TOO DAMN MANY."

Elma flashed Root a murderous look and plunged down the stair case. Over and over she fired the rifle, working the rifle's lever, ejecting the spent shells faster than she would have thought herself capable, obsessed only with the saving of her daughter. Katee drew her revolver to try to pick shots to help her, but Elma was a woman possessed. When her rifle finally clicked empty she simply struck the first creature she saw with the barrel, catching it across the jaw. At the bottom of the stairs, she saw Claire.

The little girl was a fighter, despite the nasty fall and the bruise on the back of her head, she was feebly kicking at the creatures, trying to keep the hungry mouths at bay. Elma waded into the creatures uncaring as to the cuts or bites she sustained, solely locked on her daughter.

"CLOSE THE DAMN DOOR KATEE!"

Root was screaming as he held back Reny, sure that if the door stayed open to long they would be unable to hold their position. Katee looked to him, then to Billy, and turned down the stairs. She held her gun out, ready to fire but Elma was thrashing so much that a clean shot continued to be impossible. She watched as Elma, in what seemed a superhuman effort, pulled her girl up and headed up the stairs.

Elma was hurt and hurt bad. Her right leg was shredded and she had long claw and bite marks along her neck, arms and back. Katee could see in her eyes that she was going to die. In a final shove, Elma pushed Clair forward with a soft murmur, into Katee's waiting arms.

"Save her."

With that Elma turned back to the monsters and threw herself at them, distracting them in a feeding frenzy long enough for Katee to get Claire to the second floor. Billy shut the door behind her and proceeded to barricade it as Katee gave a sobbing Claire to her father. The two sat on the floor holding each others as tears ran down their faces. Katee left them to help Root and Billy, all the more concerned for the bite marks she saw on the both of them. Out of one fire....and into another.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 31

Billy tossed the kindle into the fading engine, trying to coax the last few ounces out of the dying machine. He could see Hicken's Gorge around the bend, he only needed a few more miles out of the train until they could be safely away. He looked back at Katee, beautiful Katee, battered and worn out. Her faded red dress a tatter of rips, streaked with blood and scorched marks. Her hair had tumbled out of its simple bun and flapped in the breeze. She held her pistol at the ready, looking for any signs that the undead behind them had escaped the Pullman's.

Billy stopped, wiping a mixture of sweat and blood from his brow, the ringing in his ears lowering to a dull throb. The were approaching the bridge. By blowing this bridge it should cut off anything that escaped from Contention by several days at the least. Contention was isolated, the nearest town a hard two days ride along these tracks. Along the other directions you were separated by a week or more of tough country, surrounded by Indians and tough mountainous trails. Billy looked over to Katee.

"Get the dynamite Kat, it's almost time."

Billy threw the last few logs in his stack into the kiln and stretched his back. The train was still pulling along nicely, though all the gauges were shot so they were going to have to hope that they had enough speed to clear the bridge in time. Helping Katee onto the fuel cart, they made there way back to where the Pullman's attachment lever.

As they crested the fuel cart, Katee spotted it first. Some of the creatures had broken through the door of the final Pullman, and were on the carts balcony. Two of the creatures feebly clawed at the edge, but were unable to pull themselves onto the fuel cart.

"As soon as we fire on'em they are gonna know we're here. We could alert the whole cart. If there are more of 'em, we could be in trouble."

Katee held up the pistol, flashing him another of her rare smiles. 'You cut the cart, I'll handle 'em."

Grabbing another piece of wood, he eased himself to the edge, trying to make as little noise as possible. Resting his boots on the lip, he eased his body down, lying prone on the wood pile. Billy glanced up at Katee and nodded. Katee took careful aim, and fired once, twice. Each of the creatures heads exploded, spraying yellow and black pus across the cart.

Billy levered his back up and sprung from the fuel cart, dropping to the connecting switch below. Billy hit hard, losing his balance. His equilibrium weakened from the explosion earlier forcing him to grab the carts railing, grabbing in time to prevent pitching over the side. Steadying himself, he turned to the switch and started pulling, the screeching coupling slowly pulling apart. He glanced up to see another monster emerge from the Pullman, mouth still fresh from whatever it had been feasting on. Billy was forced to swing out with the kindling, smashing it against the side of the monster's face, erupting in an explosion of wood splinters. The creatures head flew sideways, but it quickly turned back, its broken face embedded with splinters.

Billy, weaponless now, arched his back as it took a swipe at him, narrowly missing him. Then there was another shot and the creature thudded back. Then another and Billy felt pus and bile spray him as he futilely covered his face. Looking up, he saw Katee, her pistol still smoking.

"Hurry up Billy, we're almost at the bridge!"

Lowering his shoulder, Billy leaned all of his weight, straining against the lever until it grudgingly pulled apart in a final protesting screech. Quickly hopping back onto the fuel cart, he could see the the earth fall away beneath him. They were at the Gorge. Pulling himself up, Katee was pulling out the dynamite.

They had already twined the last six sticks together onto a single fuse which Katee held out to Billy.

"Light the match Katee."

Realizing they were quickly running out of time, Billy pulled out his knife, cutting of a length of fuse. If they were going to have any chance of stopping the rest of the train from crossing before the explosion, they were going to have to hurry. holding out the bundle, Billy lit the fuse off her match. Tossing it off the edge, Billy tackled Katee and covered her with his body.

It was up to God now.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 30

The creatures had surged through the doors and walls of the general store, coming through faster than they could draw aim. Billy emptied his revolver into 2 of the beasts as Root and Reny each frantically loaded shells into their rifles.

"THERE'S TOO MANY! HEAD UP!"

It was to late though as the three men grew quickly cut off from the staircase. Reny let out a strangled roar and gave up loading his shells, swinging the rifle around like a club at anything that drew near. Billy tried to reload but there were too many creatures, far to close and he looked around for a weapon. The Sheriff held up his rifle and fired his remaining rounds, trying to clear a path to the stairs.

"I think this is our last stand Root."

The Sheriff looked around for an answer, but had none. Reny was still tearing into the creatures like a madman, you could see long cuts across his arms and back but he still swung with wild abandon. Yet just as all seemed lost, salvation arrived from upstairs.

Two loud gunshots erupted from the staircase as three creatures were cut apart by the fire of a scattergun. Then Elma appeared, rifle in hand firing at the creatures, Over her shoulder, Katee had dropped her sscattergun and pulled her old Navy revolver, squeezing careful shots at the monsters, Even Reny's young daughter Clair stood at the base of the stairs, holding ammunition.

"THEY'VE CLEARED A PATH. RUN!"

Root reversed the grip on his rifle, brandishing it like Reny and cleared the way for Billy, who quickly grabbed Katee's scattergun and jammed two rounds into it. Drawing a dead, he cut down 2 creatures as a desperate Reny surged for the staircase. Elma, with a fierce look, dropped another two to allow Reny to dive into the staircase. Root and Billy grabbed him by the arms and drug him up the stairs, the girls in tow. Elma and Katee turned and headed up, but watched helplessly as Clair slipped and tumbled backwards, into the waiting mouths of the undead.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 29 (Part 2)

They had broken through the rear somehow. The beats came through in ones or twos, the splintered wood tearing into their decaying flesh, but they seemed not to care. Reny and Root each grabbed rifles and began unloading into the creatures, holding them back. Elma grabbed a rifle herself and headed up the stairs.

Billy grabbed the supplies and started up the stairs, seeing Katee waiting at the top, scattergun loaded and ready. That's when he heard the breaking of glass again over the sound of the gunshots. Looking back he could see more of them surging against the windows, having torn through the shutters.

"HOLD THE STAIRS KATEE! I'M GONNA HELP ROOT!"

Tossing the bags up the final few steps, Billy headed back down, drawing his gun. Root and Reny seemed to have the situation in hand, so Billy picked his shots carefully through the windows.

"RELOAD!"

Reny pulled back, quickly reloading the cartridges into his rifle. Turning his head, he saw another arm burst through the front window.

"This shit is getting worse Root."

The Sheriff fired another round into the face of one of the creatures, only to watch two more take it's place. "We can't hold forever here boys."

Reny took aim through the window and fired again. "We hold out as long as we can!" Everyone we take out is one that can't hurt my family!"

The three stayed back to back, alternatively firing at the monsters, each creature that dropped drawing new ones in closer. The gunshots echoed off the walls, intertwined beside the sounds of spent shells hitting the floor. After a few minutes a new sound could be heard, the sound of the wood frames giving away, and the creatures surging through the door.

Billy's eyes widened. "Fuck me."

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 29 (Part 1)

Root, Reny, and Billy began barricading the door and windows. The creatures knew that they were inside and seemed insistent to get in, driven by some kind of need to get in. Katee, Elma, and the Reny's two girls were upstairs. Elma kept the girls in the bedroom, while Katee kept watch out of the window.

Reny had started pulling boards off the floor and nailing them over the inside of the windows, having closed the shutters previously. Billy pushed any furniture he could in front of the door. Still the incessant pounding and scratching at the doors and windows could be heard.

Root looked to each man, " This isn't going to work. There is no way that we are going to be able to keep them out of here forever. I still think that we have to make a break for it."

Reny looked at Root, wild-eyed and swore, " There is NO WAY that I will risk my family like that! Have you seen what these things do to people Sheriff?"

"Yes God Dammit! Why do you think we have to keep moving? These things will pick us apart one by one if we wait. Do you honestly think that this shit will keep them out?"

Billy tried to calm the two men down. "Look, no matter what we decide we have to prepare for the worst. I say we start getting supplies together and barricade ourselves upstairs. Those things will have to come up the stairs and we can pick them apart single file like. Worst case, we go out the upper balcony and across the roofs."

Root looked at Billy will a new found respect. "That's some good thinking Billy, what do you say Cargill?"

"I agree."

Reny called his wife downstairs and had her gather foodstuffs while Root and Cargill began loading ammunition and supplies into rucksacks. Reny even loaded several sticks of dynamite into a bag, "Just in case." Billy went back to barricading the front door when they heard the sound of cracking wood and the shattering of glass. Somehow, they had gotten inside.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 28

Billy jumped down onto the trains fuel car, balancing on the stacks of wood. He reached back and grabbed Katee by the waist, easing her down from the roof of the Pullman car. Billy's ears were still black and bloody, but his balance had somewhat equalized as he hobbled to the trains engine.

"Katee honey, I don't know what we'll find up ahead. I know Root was hear, but whatever happened to him started up ahead."

Katee pulled in close to Billy as the approached the engine. Katee thumbed back the revolver as Billy grabbed one of the split blocks of kindle. They need not have worried though. The scene was laid out before them, the Engineer laying on the floor, clearly transformed into one of the creatures, his mouth yawning wide to reveal the huge fangs. The back of his head was split open and much of his body had been burnt. The remains of Root's arm lay beside beast.

The engine itself was in even worse shape. The controls looked to have been destroyed and the kindle door had been blown off its hinges, the once fierce flames slowly cooling. Much of the roof and side panels had also been blown away. As they looked around, Billy began to notice signs that they were slowing.

"Root must of fought with the Engineer and lost control. Either that thing got a bite of him or he got caught in that explosion we heard."

"What are we gonna do Billy? The engine looks shot and that train still has more of those things on it."

Billy looked around, trying to gauge their location.

"We gotta get as far from Contention as we can. I say we stick to the plan. We keep feeding the engine until it dies and hope we make it over Hicken's Gorge. We cut the Pullman's just before we reach it, and toss the last of the dynamite and destroy the bridge. It's all we got Katee."

The two of them held each other for a moment until Billy softly pushed her away. He pulled off the remains of his short and tied it about his head and began feeding the engine wood, trying to coax a few more miles out of the battered machine.

"We'll make it Katee. We have to."

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 27

The roar was deafening. Billy was sure that he was dead. His ears felt as if they were gushing blood, his vision blurring from a swirl of colors to the creeping edges of blackness. He seemed to lose all sense of form or function.

Suddenly in his dimming vision he saw the faded hem of a dress over his shoulder and the tumbling clank of a pistol hitting the floor beside him. Billy tried to lurch up but couldn't find his balance. He watched from the corner of his eye as Katee, his Katee, flung the lit stick of dynamite from the train. He heard the explosion distantly, almost lost in the ringing of his ears.

Katee appeared over him, cradling his head in her lap. She was speaking softly to him, but he couldn't hear what she was saying. Looking into her eyes he gave a grateful smile and caught one in return. Coughing a few times, he slowly propped himself up on his elbows. Katee ripped another strand of fabric of her battered dress and dabbed it to his ears, soaking up the blood. After a few minutes his head started to clear and the ringing began to soften.

Kate looked at him. " That's twice I've saved you Billy."

"Didn't know we were keeping score."

She gave another of her soft smiles and helped Billy lurch to his feet. Picking up her pistol, Billy looked around for his, failing to find it. The two then looked over to the body of Sheriff Root. Their friend, a man who had saved their lives. His mangled body, missing arm, had turned yellow and pus ridden. The back of his head was splattered against the floor, dead eyes staring back at them.

"What do you think happened to him Billy?"

"Whatever it was, we'll find out ahead."

Billy leaned down and removed the satchel of dynamite they had taken from Reny from Root's body. Securing it around his shoulder, he also took Root's spare gun. SLapping open the chamber, he checked the few remaining rounds and sighed.

"One way or another, we end this Katee."

She gave him a reassuring squeeze and nodded.

The two walked towards the engine, leaving their friend behind them.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 26

Billy watched as the creatures surged against the door. Katee and he barely made it inside the general store with the beasts at their heels. Root and the store's owner, Reny, barricaded the door with whatever they could find. Katee was sprawled on the floor in the back of the store, her hands propping herself up as she took great deep breathes, clearly winded and exhausted from their flight from the livery.

Billy looked at her, such resolve and spirit, and a sort of radiant beauty that still clung to her, despite the the dirt and tears and singes that adorned her well worn dress. He quickly boxed that thought away, and the thought of the kiss they had shared in the loft. This was not the time for daydreaming.

He picked himself up and helped Root and Reny finish barricading the door. After a few minutes, the doors and windows had been blocked as best they could, and the Sheriff looked to the three of them.

"We can't stay here for long. What ever the fuck those things are, this won't stop'em fer long."

Reny nodded in agreement. "We are gonna need a plan."

Katee had picked herself up and came to join them. She gathered the stary strands of her blond hair into a tighter ponytail and looked to the three of them.

Reny sighed. " I should check on my family. They will be worried."

As he headed up the back stairs, Katee close behind, Root looked at Billy.

"We only got once chance of getting out of this town. And all of us probably ain't gonna make it."

Billy grimaced and thought to himself. Somehow, being inside didn't seem like as much on an improvement as it did a few minutes ago.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 25

Billy fired off shot after shot, until only the empty clicks of his Colt sounded.

" KATEE! We have ta get the fuck out of here! We're gonna be overrun!"

Katee blasted another creature crawling through the window and looked to Billy.

"Where are we suppose ta go? The whole damn town is swarmin' with these things!"

" Make fer the livery stable. We can whole up in the loft until we figure out what ta do. Grab the rifle and the scattergun and follow me."

Billy slapped the six shooter into his holster and grabbed one of the broken tables. Positioning it like he shield he barreled through the front entrance. He crashed into another creature as he approached the swing saloon doors. The two tumbled out into the street Billy landing hard on the best. Pulling a piece of the table's leg free he drove it into the monster's flapping mouth. Reaching for another long splinter of leg he brandished it like a club as the pair headed down the thoroughfare towards the livery. Swatting any creature that got to close the neared the doors of the structure, Billy heard shots from behind. Shoving Katee in front of him he looked over his shoulder.

From the roof of the General Store, he saw Sheriff Root and the store's owner, Reny Cargill, providing cover.

" C'mon Billy, they can't hold them off for long."

Billy pulled the doors to the Livery open and shoved Katee in ahead.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 23
Part 2

Billy threw himself at Root.

The impact drove the breathe out of Billy's already battered body, landing atop the one armed Sheriff with a huge huff of exhaling breath. Billy tried to catch a quick breath when Root suddenly clubbed him in his already bleeding ear.

"Arghhh!" Billy coughed out a bellow of pain as Root drove his knee hard into Billy's midsection. Hurt and dazed, Billy fought to stay conscious. Root reared his foot into Billy's chest and flung him backward. Billy's head cracked against one of the support railing on the roof and his vision filled with stars. Root pulled himself up, blackened and bleeding, the gruesome hole wear his arm use to be burned and flaking.

"Billy, you don't understand. The only way for us to be safe is to die. Those creatures set upon me and I can feel it changing in me. The beasts have to die, so that others can live. Your going to turn into one of those things, trust me. I already blew up some of them, now I'm going to take care of you.

Billy watched dazed as Root fixed the stick of dynamite in his teeth and reached into his pocket for a box of matches. Striking one off his belt, he raised it to the wick in his lips.

Then the thunderous roar filled Billy's ears.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 23
Part 1

Root advanced on Billy, the blackened stump of his arm hanging at his side. Billy looked at Root's face, twisted in anger. He wasn't even sure how Root was upright, or even what the hell Root had been talking about.

"I cured my infection Billy... I can cure you too. See if I kill you, then you wont become one of them. I'll just put a bullet in your head. Then I'll save Katee."

"What the hell did you do to yerself Root? What happened up there?"

"I died Billy. Now its your turn."

Billy crouched on his feet, head still ringing from the explosion. He wiped the blood from his mouth, though his ears still trickled blood. He had heard what the Sheriff had said, though everything still rung in his head. He didn't see his pistol, and looked to Root as he clutched another stick of dynamite. Billy spared a quick glance behind his, but didn't see Katee. looking back to Root, he balled his fist up, and prepared to launch himself at Root, and the dynamite.

"God, I don't know what yer plan is, but keep Katee safe for me."

That's when Billy threw himself at Root.

End of Line.
Gerrad!

Flash Fiction: Under a Dead Sun

Chapter 22

Sheriff Root peered from behind the water trough. When the people inside the hotel had advanced on those monsters, he had ducked back in his office. It had been a tough choice, to help those escaping the hotel, or keep his word to the survivors in the saloon. Ultimately Root grabbed the guns and ammo and opened the front door. The spare cartridges were tucked in a ruck sack over his shoulder and he tucked several pistols into his belt.

Root made it into some cover behind a water trough about halfway down the main road before he was close enough to join the fight. By the time he had gotten in range though, most of the fighting was over. Ducking into a near door, he realized it was just a matter of time before the beasts finished with the dead, and then they would turn to him. Root risked another glance at the balcony of the saloon, trying to catch the eye of the boy Oates. If he could provide some cover fire, and if Root was really lucky, he may be able to make the saloon.

Root tried to catch Billy's attention, but the boy seemed in shock from the screams coming from the hotel. Root himself steeled his hearing to the sounds of the women and children, of the horror going on inside the hotel. It was to late for them, but it might not be to late for the rest of them. He backed into the doorway as the screams finally grew quiet, the only sounds the shuffling of the beats within and on the streets, eating the dead. Root glanced out again, in a last attempt to gain Oates attention. That's when he heard another scream, a woman's scream. Coming from the saloon. Billy ran back inside, and Root watched as the creatures began to converge on the new sound. It was then he realized he might be to late.

End of Line.
Gerrad!