Dead Frontier/Issue 125

This is a preview for Issue #125 of Dead Frontier, titled New Breed. This is the fifth issue in Volume 21. The entire issue is planned to be posted on November 09, 2013.

Issue 125 - New Breed
Daniel, Tora, and Lucy hear another burst of gunshots from somewhere in the hospital. They're deciding whether they should delve back into the unpredictable depths of the upper floors, or risk waiting here. Lucy halts her pacing at the sound of the shots and turns to Tora and Daniel. Tora still sits next to him, asking him periodically how his hand feels.

“Those sounded closer,” Lucy points out, and Tora nods.

“They might be coming down…” Tora adds optimistically. They decide to wait a little longer in the desolate lobby. The oddly beautiful view from outside the window, showing a long stretch of Nebraska countryside and a few small buildings, reveals a few infected roaming out in the distance. Lucy shifts her eyes back to the window every few seconds, keeping track of their position.

Soon, the door to the stairwell bursts open, and Duke, Dean, and Adam come tumbling out. Tora stands immediately from her chair. “Thank God you guys--” she begins.

Duke cuts her off. “We’re getting the fuck outta here,” he says. “Let’s go.” She’s caught off guard by his bluntness, frozen in her same spot as a million questions spin through her head. Dean grabs her by the arm and pulls her along, and Lucy and Daniel follow.

No questions are asked until they get to the truck. Duke wastes no time stuffing the key in the ignition and starting up the vehicle. He slams on the gas, and they speed out of the infected-coated lot.

“What the fuck was that?!” Dean says, his voice only a few notches from a full on scream. “That was like a--a new breed or some shit. Holy…”

Lucy, Tora, and Daniel don't respond as they fall into a few seconds of confusion. “New breed? What the hell are you talking about?” Lucy asks.

“It screams a-and it runs, and Duke fucking shot it but it’s like--it didn’t even phase it. Took a bullet like a fucking bulldozer. Holy shit, man.” Dean runs a hand through his hair and takes a deep breath.

“He’s not fucking around,” Adam says. “This thing had...red eyes. Completely red and black. It didn’t growl, either--it screamed.”

“Headshot still killed it,” Duke points out. “Fucker ain’t immune to that.” His frantic eyes move to the rearview mirror, and he spots Daniel’s bandaged hand. “What happened to him?”

“Bite,” Daniel says simply. Duke nearly slams on the breaks, but stops himself. Daniel takes a heavy breath and formulates an explanation before he, Dean, or Adam can freak out too much. “Just a couple of my fingers. Tora...amputated ‘em. She says I’ll be fine.”

“You sure?” Duke asks Tora.

“...Not entirely,” she replies.

“I’m fine--I feel fine,” Daniel says quickly. “I don’t feel any different. Don’t feel an infection or anything.”

His words don’t put them at ease. Instead, they pull the truck into a tense silence.

It’s late afternoon, about time for everyone else to be back, and Cole waits patiently, leaning against a large tree. Their small, temporary camp is still as everyone else resides in their tents. The entrance of one of the tents far out and directly opposite him zips open, and Hunter emerges. Even from here, Cole can tell his face is red and sweaty, and he paces around impatiently. Cole would walk over if he could, but he doesn’t have to, because Hunter meets his gaze and stomps over.

The closer he gets, the more Cole’s nervousness escalates. “You’ve got to help me,” Hunter says once he gets within a few feet. He grabs Cole by the shirt--it’s not a hostile gesture, conveying more desperation than anything. But Cole is still wary, given that hateful glint in Hunter’s eye. Cole raises his hands defensively.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down,” Cole says gently. He nods slowly, prompting Hunter to let go. Hunter takes a few steps back, seemingly knocked out of his wild state, and he mutters an apology. “It’s alright. What’s the matter?”

Hunter stalls, takes a step forward, and opens his mouth to speak. His words fail on the first try, but he makes another attempt. “I’m going to kill him,” Hunter says quietly. “I can’t--” He cuts himself off, takes a breath. He starts over again. “Knowing he’s right there. I keep thinking about Karen and how she could--she could be here. My child could--” Again, he pauses. “I’m going to do something I regret. I really am, but I can’t stop myself--”

“Calm down, first of all,” Cole says. Hunter nods vehemently and wipes his palms on his jeans. “You’re not hurting anyone.”

Hunter nods, but it’s not convincing. His eyes dart around, eventually finding their place on his holster. He removes his pistol and hands it to Cole. “Take this. I--I don’t want it anywhere near me, I don’t want to even think about using it,” Hunter spills out, and Cole takes the weapon.

Cole’s not sure what to say, not that he knows Hunter is completely serious about getting rid of Cedric for good. He felt bad for Hunter before, but this is something different. Hunter’s look makes it clear that that itching for revenge hasn’t died down, and it probably never will. But something is still making Cole side with him. An overwhelming sense of sympathy, for one. The murderer of his wife and unborn child is just living a few feet away--what sane person wouldn’t want some kind of revenge?

“Don’t lay a hand on him, okay?” Cole warns. “It’s better for you--it’s better for everyone.” Cole lowers his tone, seriousness unmistakable. “I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. Don’t fuck it up. And I’ll keep this for you.” He holds up the gun.

“Th-thank you. I don’t want to hurt him--I just--”

“I know. Stay with me, don’t think about it,” Cole advises, and Hunter nods again.