Occupation by lazarus Infinity Read Free Book Online

his head, Nicodemus steadied his aim.
    “Welcome to New Orleans! ” Nicodemus screamed as he squeezed the trigger.
    One shot to the head .  Touchdown.
    “Are you okay Nic?” Barabbas asked hesitantly.
    “Nah brother.  I’m pretty fucking far from okay,” Nicodemus responded.
    Barabbas looked around at all the carnage in the street.  Broken, bloodied bodies lay everywhere.  With even more of the infected coming, it became pretty clear that this fight was not over, and the daylight was waning.
    “We better get back to the house,” Barabbas said.  “Pretty soon we’re not going to be able to keep them all out.  We’ve gotta get Gabriel and Caroline and leave.”
    “I’m right with you brother,” Nicodemus replied.
    With the ever-present mob growing, and heading in their direction, the duo took off running back to the house.  Back to Gabriel and Caroline.  Back to safety…for what little safety may have been left.
     
    ***
     
    When Caroline finally opened the door to see Barabbas and Nicodemus, her spirits lifted in a way that nearly made her faint.  The news reports were getting worse by the moment.  A Civil War of sorts between the living and the dead was destroying the city.  The only area that hadn’t been touched was the Quarter…yet.  With many of the neighborhoods overrun with the infected, there was very little hope of the group being able to sustain the house.  At some point, they were going to have to make a break for it, and they all knew it.  As the group double-checked their weapons and ammo, the gravity of the situation began to destroy Gabriel deep from within.  Clutching an old photo close to his heart, he took one last look at his home as Barabbas and Nicodemus kept watch through the remaining streaks of light coming in through the boarded up windows. 
    “Is everything ok Gabe?” Caroline asked as she rushed to the old man’s aid.
    He showed her the photo.  It was an image of a much younger Gabriel standing next to a woman.
    “She’s beautiful,” Caroline said.
    Tears began to flow from the man’s eyes as the memories consumed him.  Just outside the house, Barabbas and Nicodemus could hear the sound of the footsteps getting closer…and closer.  Pretty soon they would be right outside the house.  They were running out of time.
    “Evelyn,” Gabriel said.  “She was my wife.”
    “What happened to her?” Caroline asked.
    “She died in childbirth,” he stammered.  “All these years…all these years I’ve dreamt of one thing and one thing only.  I’ve dreamt of the day when I would join them in Heaven.  Looks like that day might be upon us now.”
    “Don’t talk like that Gabe,” Caroline replied.  “We’re getting out of here, all of us.  Stay with me old man.”
    “Fuck!” Nicodemus screamed.  Head for the back door!  They’re coming!”
    A thunderous crash hit the front of the house that grew stronger…and stronger.  The boards that offered primitive protection were quickly being torn apart as the ferocious growls were heard just outside.  One by one, the infected ripped away at the front of the house, only to be met by shotgun blasts and pistol fire.  Caroline struggled to help Gabriel to the back door.  Just before disappearing into the hallway leading into the kitchen, she glanced back at Barabbas who returned the look.  There were no words between them, but the moment spoke volumes.  Those beautiful brown eyes, tucked away behind glasses were just as bright and beautiful as ever.  He could still see the day he first met her clearly.  As shotgun blasts ripped through diseased body after body, his mind floated back to that whimsical, magical night under the stars along the Mississippi River.  He thought of that first kiss.  Caroline…my beloved Caroline…I hope to see you in Heaven someday .
    Caroline and Gabriel rushed through the kitchen to the door that led out to the backyard.  One by one, they ripped the locks off the