A few (okay a fair number) of very astute readers have picked up on a couple of lines at the beginning of Zombie Fallout 2 that refer to Marta and how she used to change Tommy's diapers. 'Well how is that possible Mr. Tufo if Tommy is a 500 year old half-vamp?' They ask. Alright so I am going to take you through the entire genesis of the problem, the less than satisfactory repairs and my creative processes. You ready? Let's start with Tommy, first off the boy was NEVER supposed to make it off that Wal-Mart roof. In fact Tommy and Eliza both were never characters I had envisioned when I started the series. And the relationship between the two was not even 'revealed' to me until book 3. So I knew I had the diaper reference issue from book 2, how do I go about correcting the past? So I started to really drop significant hints that Tommy had the ability to infuse false thoughts into us lesser beings. I was less than satisfied with that answer, so I actually did some tinkering with book 2 and edited out some of Marta's comments, actually making them vague, apparently it wasn't enough. Now I'm going to do what I had sort of hoped to avoid and I'm going to rewrite history so to speak. So most likely in a few weeks this blog entry will not even be relevant!

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Published on August 05, 2012 10:29

August 2, 2012

Fan Fiction contest ~ Zombie by Scott McConnell

My apologies to Scott McConnell as he was one of the finalist in the previous fan fiction contest. This is his story Zombie. Have to give him props he typed the whole thing out on his smart phone. Enjoy and as always all rights to this story belong to Scott McConnell!

Chapter One

"Dammit Rod, when are you gonna make an honest woman outta Amber?!? She's cool as hell and loves you to death! C'mon man put that ad in the paper already! You waiting for the end of the world or what?" "Dude! Get off my ass! I'm waiting for the lame-O paperboy to start delivering it on time all the time so Amber doesn't miss it!" "Whoa, sorry Rod just busting your balls." "Sorry Scott. Work, kid hell life just whooping my ass I NEED a vacation!" "All good homie. Maybe after we kill some zombies and vampires at paintball today, we can go work on the Cave.” I said, shifting into reverse as I pulled out of Rod’s driveway. ” The Cave as we call it is a labor of love with a little paranoia tossed in and a healthy inheritance. It's a 40' diameter geo dome buried 20' below a corn field with food, a well, natural gas generator and all the goodies to stave off an end of days scenario. My wife Jen had some well to do relative who left us a really nice chunk of change. Jen had given into my paranoia dreams of a holocaust holdout. I couldn't break the bank had to keep it within reason. Rod and I drew up the plans years ago to have a fortified bunker for the end of the world. We stocked it with ammo and guns, a few shotguns, AR's and some HK 40 pistols. All the same make and model, so you learn 3 guns, quick and easy. No fumbling with well Model A is this and Model B is that! Hell! We really wanted zombies, the undead kind of course. Though, most people I know are the alive type of zombie and I thought, "Hey, a shock of chlorine in the human gene pool would be fun and desperately needed!" Man, was I in for a horrific surprise.

Chapter 2

Amber woke up on a crisp, late autumn morning and headed out to grab the paper and to let the cool air help wake her. The day was pleasant, almost too pleasant. She turned on the news and more of the Swine Flu epidemic along both coasts. They say more vaccinations on are their way, but they've said that a week ago. As she turned off the T.V. she couldn't help but tremble as a feeling of despair crept up her spine and tickled her spinal cord with an icy finger. Amber shrugged it off and opened the paper to the sounds of the fastest 18 month on the planet! The paper would never get read as the rest of the world decided to take a shit on Rod's plans. The huge full page ad went unnoticed. Rod and I both had a feeling of uneasiness as we headed to our paintball game. Out of the two of us, Rod was more of the political conspiracy theorist and I was the one who tried to dispel his accusations to keep his blood pressure in check. Because that’s the kind of friend I am. "Scott", Rod shouted, "I'm tellin’ ya, I have a feeling something with this whole flu thing that the bad has happened and this government is trying to cover its ass! Really, this many dead already? C'mon man you ain't blind!" "Rod what's your proof? It's mostly the old folks and the young dying not healthy adults. It's just a horrible flu that's smacking us stupid! It's another ploy for the big wigs to make a few bucks before Christmas!" I pleaded with my friend. "Scott I'm so gonna shoot your ass out on the field today!" "Bring it, tough guy, you can't shoot for shit bro!" That was the last carefree conversation we'd have for quite some time. As we shot each other with paintballs, he missed while in the cities people were shooting loved ones. My wife had sent me a boat load of texts while we were out and the scariest text was sent three times! It was our 'oh shit time to bug out code'.

Chapter 3

We arrived at my house with little problem aside from the Sunday driver in the middle of the week and the stupid train. Nothing that explained the End of Days text my wife sent me three times. Jen had food, water, ammo and guns, a small suitcase and my bug out bag already packed and at the door. Rod and I looked at each other, then to her and asked, "What the hell woman?!" damn near in unison. "Really? My two conspiracy theorists can't tell that It has happened? Guys, you’re slipping! Didn't you listen to the radio on the way home? I already have the girls. They’re getting a few more things ready so honey, please, load the stuff up now!" "Sorry, Jen,” Rod said slightly defensive at her stab, "We drove like mad trying to figure out what could possibly have happened, that you'd send that text, and we didn't feel like jamming to Korn or Black Label Society and I really like Black Label! And if we did have it on I couldn't listen to it anyway because someone's husband had to by a big truck with a big diesel and a big turbo!" "So no?" "No, woman, we didn't hear anything! It's why we came home to see what was going on!" Rod said, getting pissy. "Jen, what is it? Please, stop for a second." I said " Seriously, Scott,” Jen snapped, "it’s the moment you two idiots have been waiting for, this virus or possibly the vaccines have went and finally made you guys some zombies." Jen calmed. "Honey please, you and Rod load the truck. We’re going to Rod's to get Amber and Kal, and head out to the Cave." My truck or as I like to call it the, The Beast, is another perk of the wife's inheritance, a 2010 Dodge Ram Crew Cab with the diesel engine and 4x4 just what's needed to plow through the Indiana snow. I had made all the requisite upgrades, big bully bumper, plow, bigger heavier tires with Kevlar, lights and a welder. Living just east of Gary, Indiana and west of the Michigan boarder, we get some nasty lake effect snow and a 4X4 with a plow is damn near essential. Never thought I'd have to use it to plow humans though. "Rod, what the fuck was that man?" I screamed as something hit my baby hard enough to rock it on its heavy duty suspension. "Please tell me rut has started early and that was a pissed off hormone infused deer!" "Uh, no. Just a really big fat guy running for all he's worth from... ah damn...." "What man? Dammit Rod what!?" "Uh, shit man I think about 20 zombies?" Now Rod and I have been wanting zombies for a while to be honest but more for a break of the everyday rather than the bloodlust of killing any and everything. We’re both Steelworkers, but he's a button pusher production guy and I'm a maintenance guy and my job is different everyday so the routine of it isn't as bad. Also, I'm on straight days and he is on shift work. We took, as schedules allowed, shooting classes, survival courses, learned how to build our own fires, traps and snares. All of the time and money we spent I think we both wanted to see if we really could do it if we had to. You know, survive like past generations did with nothing but a knife and our wits. "Zombies?! You sure?" I asked. "You wanna stop and ask ‘em bro?" My buddy always the wise ass.

Chapter 4

Traffic was what you'd expect, basically fucked all around. Rod and I had made sure each of our homes were secure enough for both a zombie and human battle if needed. Also, a solid two months of food and water to wait out the worst before we tried for The Cave. We had long range walkie-talkies and would check on each other daily or more if needed. Figured let the unprepared, looters and the mass chaos die out then we'd leave. Now though, Rod was with me and my family and Amber wasn't answering her phone so we had to go and go now. Rod was getting nervous and was tapping the trigger guard of his AR-15 a little more than I would've liked but given we were trying to get to his home and check on his family I can't blame him for getting anxious. "C'mon you dumb fucks, let's go! God dammit man!" Rod said half between a plead and a threat. I thought about answering his statement but thought he's maybe a second or two away from popping a round into someone or thing. I looked over to the passenger side and saw a look I've never seen on my friend and my wife wasn’t much better. My girls well, I’d pounded my paranoia and everything I learned into them. Even made them watch all the zombie flicks and tell me what people did wrong. They had shotguns on both sides and their mother, the least prepared of all of us, was in the middle, yep I was proud! I calculated damage versus payoff by driving over a few front lawns and maybe a little off-roading. Fuck it, hang on!" I decide the payout was my friend's family, my nephew and soon to be sister-in-law was worth it. Rod is my best friend and a brother to me so it wasn't a hard decision. I floored it and that beautiful turbocharged diesel roared its beautiful roar as I jumped a curb, took out a picket fence, mailbox, and a row of shrubs. I made it this far, but couldn't stop and I hit a steep set of railroad tracks that wasn't designed for a monster truck to go over. I cringed as my very cool powder coated frame lost some flashiness to the bigger rocks but nothing serious was broke. My back did groan though as the heavy duty suspension did its best to absorb the at least 3 feet of air I got. "Holy shit, honey, let us know before you do that” Jen said as she yanked on her seatbelt. "Hey, you want to sit in this bullshit traffic then by all means, knock yourself out, woman!" I roared. Maybe a little too loud but my adrenaline was pumping pretty good right. "Sorry, babe, but I just broke about 10 laws right there and ticked a bunch of people off." "Wish you had an alley I could pull in to so I could get Beast off the road. There had to be at least a few people that called the cops with my mini monster madness." At the time it was a dream house when all you had to do was walk down to the lake and go for a swim. Even as it was getting cooler out people still crowded this little Lake Tahoe-esque area. Problem now was, how many were there when the first deadheads, as we called them, came through. There is a public access trail two doors down and anyone or thing could have walked right into the neighborhood. Rod was out before the truck was stopped and bee lined it for the door. I don't know if I could of did it but he slowly opened the door and called for Amber. Nothing! "Shit, bro, this sucks, Amber!" Rod yelled. He heard something and I was now at the door with my Remington pump and him with an AR. I motioned for the girls to stand guard and tried to convey to Jen to drive if we had to leave in a hurry. My wife, all the hours she swears she listens to me while I rant and raved about this end of world shit, I really thought she would have just done it. A round fired from Rod's gun brought me back and I ran in to find his neighbor face down with only a small part of the back of her head left. "What the hell Rod, that's the old busy body next door isn't it? Is sh..she a zombie?" Rod wasn’t listening."Amber! I'm home you here?" Nothing. That moment of silence was the worst I ever dealt with. Waiting on a principal to come out of the office and whoop my ass for something stupid and that second he pauses before, POW your backside is burning or when Jen paused before she said yes to the big question or that moment when you’re waiting on if it’s a boy or girl, nothing compared. Finally I heard Kal cough from downstairs. Rod blew past me handing off his rifle as he went. I heard him gasp and then start to sob and I thought the worst. I set the shotgun down and took the rifle. While running for the basement door and stairs I thought it would do less physical damage if I had to pull the trigger and help keep a shred of sanity in my best friend. Amber and Kal were a blessing to him. He’d always had a roughness to him that most people seemed to either hate or love but Amber smoothed the edges down and Kal polished him to a shine. He was new and improved not a sissy boy whipped version but truly better. "I thought you guys were dead, how did that old bag get in?", Rod said choking back tears. Amber sniffled. "I heard a thud and saw Ol’ Marta and thought she was drunk again, but when I asked her to come in she just stood there. Her eyes gave it away. I tried to shut and lock the door but she pushed in. I screamed and tried to shut that door. Kal came running to see what was wrong ,," a shocked Amber took in a deep, shuddering breath. " I couldn't fight her. She never let up, so I let her push herself in. I let go of the door and she fell. I just grabbed Kal and ran downstairs. I'm so, so sorry Rod I forgot my phone", she sobbed.. "I heard it ringing and I knew it was you, but I just couldn't bring myself to load a gun and shoot her.” "It’s ok we got her and we're all here. Jen, Scott and the girls and me. We even grabbed their dogs!" Rod saying it jokingly to help calm her. "Alright, I'm gonna make room in the garage and pull in, I'll send Jen in for Amber and we'll come up with a plan once we're on lockdown." I said while shaking from the rush and trying to pull the images out of my mind. "Damn, this is going to be tougher than I thought." I said to myself.

Chapter 5

"C'mon Renae, let's go." I said a little irritated. Teenagers, they never move when you want them to, or as fast. "Why do I have to help, I helped yesterday. Riley can do it." She said oozing with teenage disdain. "Because Riley will end up puking and I'm a sympathy vomiter." I snapped back. I wanted some help bringing the water up from the basement, also if it’s clear outside, help dump the waste water out past the yard. The sewer system was finally at its limit without the power and trying to manually flush the toilet you had a good chance of seeing what you ate yesterday in the kitchen sink tomorrow. So taking the waste water out became a necessity and was quite literally shit work. But it had to get done. Renae was coming down the three stairs that led to the back foyer and started to round the corner to head to the basement when she fell. Renae is an accident prone child without equal. One day back before the zombies, she was playing in the backyard and rolled over and somehow managed to rupture her eardrum on a blade of grass. Of course, it was my fault. "Dad, it was a weed! If you fertilized more often I wouldn't have gotten hurt." Ah, teenage logic. Gotta love it. She took a nasty spill and fell hard onto a tool bucket left in the corner. The wood saw was placed in the bucket so the blade was facing up. She ended up with a hideous wound about five inches in length along the side of her calf and shin. Her screams brought her mother down to see what had happened and had the first aid box at the ready. If Renae was crying chances are she’d hurt herself. It was kind of a running joke because it happened so often. We even had Child Services come out and talk to her to see if all her visits were accidents on her part. In the fifteen years I've been her father not once have I had to raise my hand to her. My look as it was called did the job. I cannot fathom how a parent could beat their child. I would offer the offender a bullet and never think twice about it. "Oh my God Renae. Okay. Hold still. Scott!" The way Jen yelled my name I knew it was not good. "Holy Shit that's deep. Ok. Get Rod and we'll get her upstairs on the kitchen table." Rod had taken some field and wilderness first aid classes so he was our resident E.M.T. He began cleaning the wound and stopped. He look up. "It hit bone." Sounding worried. "I can clean it the best I can, fill it with antibiotic ointment and definitely close it with stitches. But--" "Then what?" I asked. "We wait. I'm guessing in less than a week we'll know if she's ok or not. Fever, bright red skin and swelling. If it starts to leave streaks radiating out its bad." Rod starts to whisper so a groggy Renae doesn't hear, "If it does, some serious medical treatment is needed." Jen was trying hard not to panic. "Like what?" "A massive dose of antibiotics, maybe amputation. With what we have and my small amount of training, this could be life threatening. If it gets in her blood it will turn septic and she will... um yeah. It's not good." Jen really didn't want to hear that, hell me either but that's how it was now. We weren't out in some wilderness or jungle where a simple injury could turn fatal, but without limited medical supplies and knowledge it had the same fate. We would have to change the dressing on the wound every six hours and keep peroxide on it, plus more anti-bacterial cream. We gave her a small hydrocodone for the pain and to help keep her still, and just had to wait it out. On the fourth day she developed a fever and the cut wasn't looking good. On the fifth day a decision had to be made. Heading to The Cave wasn't going to help her. She needed a doctor but We had no idea where to find one. We made it over a month at the house in one of the coldest winter I can remember. The plus side was that it hadn't snowed nearly what we usually got but what was here had turned to ice. We were planning on heading there soon since the zombies almost seemed to disappear. Being this cold out, not a lot of the riff raff were out either I hoped. I was going to take The Beast and Renae and I would scout out the two hospitals in town and see if anything was left. I hated having to try this but what else could I do. Rummaging around the garage and trying to come up with a plan Rod came in and sat down at our smoking table. "What you up to? I know you ain't going by yourself with just Renae." "What else can I do? I'm not asking you to go, and Jen and Riley sure as hell ain't. I just can't watch my daughter get sick and die a slow and painful death. You're a dad. We protect, we fix! We don't sit and wait when one of our own needs help!" I said trying to sound confident in my task at hand. "I'm going to tell Jen the plan and tell her she has to stay here and tell her I love her and Riley for maybe the last time. Wish me luck with that." Amber poked her head in, "Um, maybe you won't need it. I’ve been checking the C.B. radio off and on since we've been here. I let the radio auto scan and heard of a military base somewhere near Gary. Camp something or other. Suppose to be right on Lake Michigan. I’ve been hearing some military sounding talk. I know you two don't trust the government, but my Dad was a Marine in Vietnam and it’s supposed to be full of Marines, doctors and food. Not politicians.” She looked at us. “I don't see another option for Renae." I felt a surge of hope and a new found energy. The Lake was maybe a half hour away on a good day. Now, there wouldn't be stop lights or Sunday drivers but there could be traffic jams, road blocks and everything in between. We needed to get moving. Amber gave us both a stern look. "We are all going. I'm done waiting to see if tomorrow a zombie breaks in or a band of marauders come through and take everything. The Cave is a great idea, but we'd be hiding, not living. I'm done hiding. We will not split up! I will not say good bye to the only people left in my life!” She rounded on her fiancé. “Rod get ready. We’re leaving." "Yes ma'am" Rod said smiling as he went in to get their son and supplies. I did the same.

Chapter 6

"Honey, how are we on gas? We've been driving for hours." Jen said, sounding worried. "Its fuel dear, not gas and I have a half a tank. Plus fifteen gallons in the auxiliary one. We're good." I said, getting worried myself. "That was Gary, Indiana right Amber? I know Rod boosted the C.B. radio and who knows how far of a range it has. Did they mention the steel mill or any other landmark or business?" "Yeah Scott, Gary, Indiana. Said it backed up right to the lake. That was all it said." "Shit! How she doing babe" I asked trying to sound calm but I was damn near panic stricken. I wanted to drive my head into the dash and knock myself out. I hated feeling lost and useless. "Dad, someone's coming!” Riley shouted. “Hurry, flag them down and see if they know where its at." "Honey we have to wait. I don't know if it’s a military vehicle or a civilian one. If it’s a Hummer or another type of military truck I'll follow it with my lights off and see where it goes." "Yeah, good idea Scott." Rod said trying to focus on the vehicle. "It looks like a Humvee. I can make out an antenna and some sort of small pod behind the turret." "You sure bro? Grab the binoculars under your seat and make sure! I don't want to go making friends with bad people with military grade guns and vehicles." "Yeah, it is a Humvee and the passenger does have a uniform on." "Alright. It's pretty dark out so I'll give ‘em about a quarter mile lead. Everybody keep seatbelts on and eyes peeled. Riley, shotgun at the ready. Rod, the rifles. Jen how’s Renae doing?" "Her fever has gotten worse, and she doesn’t look good..” Jen’s voice went tight. “If we find this base we gotta make sure they don't think she has the zombie virus, alright?" I hadn't thought about that. Damn, now when we find help a half a second later it may turn to a threat. We didn’t have the firepower to fight military. I also didn’t want to shoot any of them. They're just trying to protect what's here. Can't blame them, there isn't much left. I want my mom. I said to myself. The Hummer turned off of Rt. 12 and headed north on County Line Rd. The road was plowed and salted so we had to be getting close. We could see lights in the distance but the rolling dunes were hiding its source. I was excited, but worried they would try to eliminate my daughter as a threat. We all must have been taking in the site and lost in our thoughts as the soldiers knew they had been followed and turned off onto a service road. The base was on a public beach with lots of room. The dunes provided cover and great ambush and sniper locations. Lost in my head, a massive spotlight lit up our position. We were stuck, men up front with guns and the Hummer we followed pulling in from behind. "This is The United States Military. Stop your vehicle and step out." The voice commanded. I damn near ripped the transmission lever out as I slammed it into park, and jumped out maybe too quickly as I saw ten rifles being held by ten Marines brought up and take aim on me. "My daughter needs help she fell and needs a doctor!" I pleaded. Remembering my fear, "she had an accident where we were hiding and her leg is infected. Please help." "On the ground sir, now!" the loud speaker shouted. I got down on my knees and realized I hadn’t taken off my sidearm. Shit shit shit! I thought. I came onto a military base at the brink of human extinction with a gun. This probably wouldn’t win me friends but I was trying to save my daughters leg and life. A young man came up from behind and disarmed me as two more came up to make sure the rest complied. I had to hand it to the Marines, we were at war with zombies, ninety percent of the population dead or infected and they still had common courtesy. Yes sir, no ma'am as they helped Riley, Kal, Jen and Amber out of the truck. They left the dogs. A soldier came with a wheel chair to help Renae and I got up to go with. Another two soldiers came up to politely tell me to stay and that they would take care of her. "Sir, please stand down. You will be allowed to see her when she has been cleared. Please, the rest of you need to follow me." "No!" I spat at him, "I'm going to stay with my daughter!" One of the two came up to me and without thinking I hit him square in his jaw and dropped him. "This is America, I AM allowed to..." His partner just introduced his rifle stock to my cheek.

Chapter 7

I awoke on a table with a few stitches in my cheek, a throbbing headache, and in restraints. Looking around the room I saw the young man I punched and a sedated Renae on my left. Across the room the soldier was getting checked by the doctor when I yelled to him, "See! I told you I was staying with her!" I said grinning at my remark. The young Marine gave me a look that absolutely floored me. It wasn’t one of fury or rage or revenge. It was one of forgiveness with some understanding thrown in. Why? I just knocked out this man doing his duty in front of his peers and his superior. He can't be any more than three to four years older than Renae. The man who I assumed gave me the introduction to his rifle was there also. A little bit older, maybe twenty one, was standing on my immediate right. He had one more stripe on his arm and turned to me and said, "Sir, I apologize for striking you." He stood at attention for a moment, before he pivoted and walked away. Wow! I thought as he walked away. I know Marines aren’t going soft, no way! As I followed him out the room I noticed one of the biggest men I had ever seen. His massive leg was in traction and he was asleep. I couldn't imagine what they could have bolted to in the ceiling of these modular building- turned military base to hold that leg up. He had to be close to four hundred pounds and maybe six and a half feet or more. By his size I knew he was injured from a fight with a bus or train. Considering he was still alive, I figured he’d won. The doctor came into my view, "Scott, how are you feeling? You were brought in and I gave you a shot to sleep." "Not bad for getting my ass kicked by a Marine. How long was I out, and speaking of which Doctor, why did he apologize for that?” I asked. “I mean he was doing his duty and protecting his friend." "About two and a half hours. This, as far as I know, is one of the last strongholds of man, and the Base Commander doesn't want what's left of the public to fear the military. He says, it may have been started with the government but not the military. We are here for America.'" "How's my daughter?" I asked him, maybe cutting him off before he was done, but I needed to know. "Is she going to be ok, can you save her leg?" "Yes, she'll be fine. The infection just started to get bad. I cleaned the wound out, removed the infected tissue and re-stitched the leg. She will have a little muscle loss and a nasty scar but otherwise just fine." "Thank you Dr... What?" "Baker, Dr. Baker." “Thank you very much Doc Baker. Where’s the rest of my family?” “They have been given a small unit in the housing area of the base. Also, there’s food and drinks in the mess hall.” “May I leave?” I said holding my arms up to the limit of the restraints. He nodded yes to the guard at the door and the soldier undid them. “Should I stay and wait for Renae or any paperwork or what not? Doubt there is any insurance companies left.” I tried at some humor. “No, you may leave.” He said flatly. “She’ll be out for another few hours, go check in with your family.” I walked over and shook the Doctor’s hand, then walked back to Renae’s bed and watched her sleep and thankful I wasn’t looking over her body. I couldn’t help but glance over at the big man trying to figure out what could’ve hurt him. Must have been glancing longer then I thought. “Can I help you with something?” his voice deep and full. “Sorry there big guy, I was just wondering if it was a Ford or Chevy you got in a fight with.” “Its B.T. and it was a bullet fired from a Ford. Damn near destroyed the bone. Now I’m stuck here with this guy,” He said thumbing over to a man who was sleeping on the next bed. “It’s been a long road and it isn’t over yet.” I nodded. “All I’m going to say is don’t get too comfortable here and leave as soon as you can! There is a shit storm brewing and this is just the calm before it.” He laid his head down to rest and I walked over and shook that massive bear claw of a hand. I wished him a speedy recovery and walked out to find my family. We spent the next few days trading stories with fellow survivors and getting survival and firearm tips from the soldiers. We heard a few wild ones from the wife of the man I saw sleeping, Tracy was her name. She told us about their journey from Colorado to North Dakota and their arrival here. How her daughter’s boyfriend lost his life to save theirs and all the battles they’d been in. We were lucky compared to these poor people. We’d only seen about 40 or 50 zombies and only killed maybe half of them. The kids all seemed to enjoy each other’s company and Renae was giving Tracy’s son Travis and the Doc’s boy a run on the X-box playing Call of Duty. Riley was taking pictures of the base and those who occupied it. Luke, my Golden Retriever and Strider, my Boston Terrier found new friends in Buddha, the Doc’s dog and Henry, Tracy and her husband Mike’s dog, both English Bulldogs. While I was walking the base I couldn’t get B.T.’s warning out of my head but this seemed safe enough and much more fun than the cave had been. There were trained soldiers. Literally tons of ammo and a few Apache Helicopters and a tank. What could possibly break through this place? After two weeks Rod and I decided to leave much to the disproval of our wives and all the kids. We had a plan and needed to stick to it. My girls had made new friends and could be kids again. Jen, Amber, Tracy and the Doc’s wife enjoyed their new routine of lunch together. Women--get them talking and they’re the happiest. We talked it over and while it would be tight we asked The Talbots if they wanted to come with us since we knew Mike wanted to leave too. He said no that he had relatives in Maine and wanted to see if they were alright. He shook our hands and said thanks and wished us well. Riley had her camera; sheand the rest of the kids wanted a big group picture. We all huddled around B.T. who was still in traction. The Doc and his family, The Talbots and us. Riley passed out the photos as we said our good byes. As we got ready to drive off a Sergeant came up and gave us a hand held radio. “Use this if it gets ugly out there and check in once in awhile so we can keep tabs on you guys.” I told him thanks and drove off. It was months later that we learned about the fate of Camp Custer. Like that of the famous Colonel, it too fell. As I stood holding the little radio the unidentified voice told of the battle, the massive trucks and how a woman was behind all of it. I said a prayer hoping it would still be heard for my friends and shed a tear for the massive loss that day. I walked back down into our bunker and asked, “Who’s up for a road trip to Maine?”

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Published on August 02, 2012 14:15

July 11, 2012

Zombie Fallout 2 Audio Giveaway

Zombie Fallout 2 was also on Amazons top wished for audio book. Again Tantor has generously donated 3 copies to try and make some wishes come true! You can sign up here: .goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important; text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #6A6454; -moz-border-radius: 5px; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou... background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596; outline: 0; white-space: nowrap; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou... color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; } Goodreads Book Giveaway

Zombie Fallout 2 by Mark Tufo

Giveaway ends July 31, 2012.

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Published on July 11, 2012 20:34

Zombie Fallout 1 Audio

Zombie Fallout 1 was on Amazons most wished for audio. Tantor has graciously donated 3 copies to make 3 wishes come true. Sign up for yours here

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Zombie Fallout by Mark Tufo

Giveaway ends July 31, 2012.

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Published on July 11, 2012 20:30

July 2, 2012

A chapter of ZF6

Day one without Talbot

"Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod." Gary kept repeating, as BT shoved him through Mary's front door.
"Where's Josh?" Mary screamed, her eyes widened in terror.
"He's supposed to be here." BT said moving to the side so that he could shut the door and look out the curtain.
"He's not here!" She screamed. "You left him out there!" She was shrieking now.
Gary was still muttering on the floor where BT had deposited him.
"Oh fuck." BT said silently as he looked through the large bar covered picture window of Mary's modest siege home.
"Where is my son?" She screamed slamming her fists into BT's chest.
BT pointed with the tip of his rifle before he headed back towards the front door.
Josh was at the most two steps ahead of the lead zombie whose outstretched hand was nearly close enough to touch his collar.
"Oh my God!" Mary said in unison with Gary.
"The fucking toy, he went back for the fucking toy." BT said as he headed out the front door.
Josh was running for his very existence but the large remote control truck he was carrying was impeding his progress. BT did not trust his marksmanship or frayed nerves to start firing at targets so close to a live body. And he couldn't tell Josh to drop down, BT would be able to get the lead zombie and a couple of others but there were too many of them. Add to that there was the real danger that the zombies that had been pursuing him and Gary would completely cut the boy off from the house.
"Drop the damn truck!" BT roared.
Josh looked up, wide white terror laden eyes stared back at him.
"Drop the truck boy!" BT forced.
BT watched as Josh had an internal struggle within himself, the boy was deciding on whether or not to give up one of the last things his father had given him or forfeit his life. It was close But Josh finally let go of the toy Monster truck. BT figured the boy's father was still looking out for him, the truck caught in between the strides of the zombie closest to Josh. Josh yelped as the zombies hands reached out and touched him down his back and the bottom of his pants as its legs became tangled in the rubber and plastic and slammed chin first into the ground.
The affect was instantaneous at least another three zombies went down with their leader, but Josh was far from out of danger but BT finally had an opening with which to let lead fly. He lined up a shot and tried to pull the trigger.
"Oh no." He sighed, he was out of bullets.
"Good a day to die as any, maybe even better than most." He said as he ran towards Josh, his hastily drawn up plan was to use himself as a human shield.
"Get out of the way you lummox!" Mary shouted behind him. She didn't give him much of a chance though as she began to shoot. Most weren't head shots but the bullets were causing enough damage to slow the zombies down.
Gary came up beside her, he was jamming shells in to his rifle. Tears were still streaming down his face as he began to fire, BT was amazed he could hit anything through the waterfall in his eyes. Luckily Gary was focused on the zombies to the front of the house where his bullets would only slam into the undead.
Josh had about another fifty yards to make it to the house, and forty yards before he made it to BT. BT waited like the anchor man in the first ever zombie relay. First prize was life, everything else was death. BT started jogging towards the house as Josh approached, and then snatched him up into his huge arms and was at full tilt within 4 strides. Mary was holding the security door open so that he could dive in with his precious cargo. Gary was busy shoving new shells into his rifle.
"Get in the house!" Mary yelled simultaneously to BT and Gary.
Gary was slow to react, BT grabbed him by the front of his jacket and pulled him in alongside. BT pushed Josh ahead of himself as he fell to the floor, he didn't want to save the boy from zombies only to crush him under his bulk. BT's chest had no sooner hit the floor when the first zombies crashed up against the security door. Mary was backing up as the house rattled from the multiple impacts.
Gary shut the front door when BT moved his legs.
"What were you thinking!" Mary screamed at Josh, who was full on crying now. "What were you thinking!" She screamed again.
Josh was sobbing so hard he was hitching and having a difficult time catching his breath. "It...it was from dad." He wailed.
"Was it worth getting killed over!" She was screaming so loudly and with such force her face was turning red and thick corded veins were bulging from her neck and forehead.
"Mary he's alive, he's fine." BT said trying to restore some order in the house.
Mary wasn't having any of it. She turned her wrath on him. "Wasn't it your grand fucking idea to let him go along?"
"Oh I would imagine it was Mike's insidious ramblings that convinced the boy to go out." Mrs. Deneaux added.
"You shut up!" Mary wheeled, pointing her finger at the crone. It seemed no one would be spared Mary's ire. "Where were you when my son was running for his life?"
"Dear I'm just an old woman what could I have done?" Mrs. Deneaux asked in return.
"I should have never opened my door, I should have never let any of you into my life." She was crying now.
"It's alright mom, I'm alright." Josh said getting up to comfort his mother. She gripped him tightly as if she were afraid to let him go, lest he not be real. She was crying into his shoulder, their roles momentarily reversed. "Mom we had to let them in, it was the Christian thing to do."
"I almost lost you Josh, I can't lose you, you're all I have left in the world." She full throated cried.
"I'm here mom, I'm here." He said as he led her towards the couch.
"Where's Michael?" Mrs. Deneaux asked BT.
BT shook his head almost imperceptibly from side to side. Mrs. Deneaux was careful not to let her joy show. Gary was staring out the living room window but his eyes did not appear to be focused on anything.
"I didn't even get a chance to bury him." Gary mumbled. "What am I going to tell my dad?" He asked the question, but that was not anything any one had an answer to.
"What now?" Mrs. Deneaux asked BT.
"We head towards Maine." He told her.
"When?" Mary looked up.
BT couldn't tell if she was wondering when they'd be out of her house or how long it would take for her and her son to be ready to go.
Gary had understood the meaning behind her question. "Mary you can't stay here." Gary said finally turning back around to face the group, the room darkened as the curtain slid back into place.
"Oh yes we can!" he said vehemently pulling Josh closer. "We're never going out there."
"You know you're going to run out of supplies." He said calmly, which belied his true countenance.
"We're better off without them." Mrs. Deneaux said. "The boy will just slow us down."
"As opposed to you?" Gary shot back, very much unlike anything that usually came from his mouth.
Mrs. Deneaux shrugged her shoulders and lit up a cigarette in response.
"How dare you!" Mary said to Mrs. Deneaux. "I opened my doors to you, I fed you I confided in you and then you turn on me?"
"I was trying to help dearie, you said you didn't want to go, I thought this would help your argument." Mrs. Deneaux said smiling with her tobacco stained teeth showing, it was much too mouthy to hold anything but contempt.
"Handle a snake you're bound to get bitten eventually." BT said to Mary.
"You must be happy now BT." Mrs. Deneaux said.
"What are you talking about?" He asked her.
"Well it looks like you're in charge now, with Mike out of the way you now take rightful control." She said and then took a long pull from her cigarette waiting for BT's response.
BT almost rose to the bait, but he could see the grim glimmer of smugness right under the surface in the woman's face and he'd be damned if he gave her anything remotely similar to a smile.
"Well the age is right." He said.
"What?" Gary asked.
Mrs. Deneaux's eyes narrowed as she waited for his response.
"She could be Eliza's mother." BT said as he went to the side of the house to see how many zombies Josh had brought back with him.
Josh snorted. "That's funny because that would make her like 550 years old."
"I remember when spanking your children was an acceptable form of punishment." Mrs. Deneaux said turning towards the boy, who shrunk back into the protective embrace of his mother.
"We're leaving in the morning." BT said coming back into the living room. "Mary I won't force you but I really think you should reconsider."
"Michael would have been more persuasive." Mrs. Deneaux said.
"You done?" BT asked her.
"For now." She said taking another drag off her smoke.
"Mary please." Gary begged. "You're not safe here."
She scoffed at his words. "Oh yeah." She said mockingly. "I see how safe it is out there." She said not even willing to move her hand to point but rather nodding with her chin towards the front door.

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Published on July 02, 2012 08:19

June 14, 2012

Zombie Fallout 3.5 Signed Giveaway

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Goodreads Book Giveaway

Dr. Hugh Mann

by Mark Tufo

Giveaway ends July 15, 2012.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

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Published on June 14, 2012 08:27

Zombie Fallout 4 Signed Giveaway