As I continued to scan, I saw signs that suggested a large effort had gone into shoring up the outer-most fence. Also, a secondary fence was covered in what looked to be gray wool blankets. Anybody trying to look in from ground level would see nothing. Clever.
Closer inspection revealed the first horrific signs that lead me to believe that the inmates are running the asylum. Wooden scaffolds are in place at three points along one fence that closes off the compound from the prison yard with all the zombies. It looks like a setup is used to walk people up where they can be tossed over and into the yard full of ravenous undead.
I’ve told everybody what I can see. Tim says he’d like to raid a few of the houses scattered about the area. I want to take a longer look and decide if there is any chance my friend is alive…and if, perhaps I can help him.
Judging by the number of Prison guard-Zombies I see in the one yard…it seems likely that, if I can find him, it won’t be an issue to have him leave. The problem is getting to him without bringing the attention of those remaining at the prison.
Reggie has offered to help. Tim wants to spend the next couple of days on this bluff. We attracted no attention today and have actually walked around a bit outside, opened up the doors, and let the RV air out.
Of course Joey has not come within five feet of the door. What the hell possessed him to follow us?
Wednesday, February 27
What we saw today is not very encouraging. This morning after breakfast, there were several men, inmates apparently considering their clothing (blue jeans and a blue tee shirt) led to those scaffolds. One by one they were paraded up the stairs, usually kicking and screaming. There was usually a cheer that would cause the individual to renew his struggles. Then the person would be shoved, or sometimes thrown, into the crowd of zombies waiting on the other side of the fifteen-foot-high fence that isolated the prison yard from the open compound.
Even from up here, we could hear the screams.
I did notice that with so many of those things attacking and feasting, there is nothing left to come back. It is obvious that the inmates have thought of that also. It seems that there are two forms of punishment.
A couple of men were saved until the end. These men were bound by the wrists and ankles. A large inverted el, like a hangman’s scaffold was brought and placed atop one of the platforms. The unfortunate soul chosen for this fate is attached to a rope on a pulley system and bobbed like bait on a hook. He is bitten a number of times by the sound of the screams, then raised up out of reach of the sea of grasping, clutching hands and snapping jaws below. His wrists and ankles are freed once he dies or loses consciousness. When it awakes, the inmates cut it loose to join those below.
On the good side, Tim, Antonio, and Samantha returned on mountain bikes with packs loaded with food and basic hygiene supplies. That is nice for two reasons. The obvious being the stuff. However, they took off on foot. Those bikes allow them to move quickly and stay quiet. Not one zombie was on their trail. They did say there was no shortage that had to be dispatched.
I filled everybody in on what I saw. They will give me one more day to see if I can spot my friend, then we are outta here.
Thursday, February 28
There is too much risk to validate my making any attempt to rescue Paul. Not only is the fence lined with those things, there are hundreds more simply wandering the area. Add to that the unlikely possibility that the majority of the inhabitants of that prison will do us any favors and I understand that I have no choice but to leave my friend to whatever fate he finds in that place.
In all my time watching, I’ve not seen anybody leave. I have no idea if or how they forage. I’ve seen absolutely no sign of life in the town itself. If there are other survivors, they’ve either left or chosen to remain completely out of sight. We will leave tonight a few hours after midnight. We want to draw as little attention as possible. Once we are on I-84, we have open roads as far as we can see.
The plan now is to avoid large population areas. We will follow the
* * * * *
Chapter 3
Monday, March 3
We’ve been captured. So far, that is the bad news. I’ve seen none of the others since the night we were taken by inmates from the prison. Nobody will answer any of my questions. I am stuck alone in a thirteen-by-six cell with a stainless steel sink and toilet, and a metal hardpan with a three-inch thick foam mattress. The windows are frosted on the outside so that all I can see is if it is day or night.
Three times a day, somebody comes to my door, a slot is opened, and a tray is slid in with a meal. Surprisingly, it is a hot, balanced meal. The quality reminds me of school lunches when I was a kid. Today, I had a hamburger and french fries! A half hour later, the tray is handed back. I’ve never had the nerve to refuse.
I have noticed that it is never the same person bringing the meal, or picking up the tray. Nobody will speak to me or answer any questions. Occasionally, I hear a commotion, but it sounds like it is coming from below which leads me to believe I am on at least the second or third floor.
My, what I guessed to be the second day, I was given a questionnaire. It asked if I had known allergies, diseases, or medical conditions that required any attention. Also, I was given a bible and a list of books. They actually brought me two books to read. Today I was asked by the person who took my lunch tray if I was ready to exchange my books for new ones!
To say the least, I am very confused.
Tuesday, March 4
This morning I was told to place my back to the door and present my wrists through the tray slot. I was handcuffed, then told to step away from the door and get on my knees. My door was then opened and somebody placed a dark hood over my head. My first thought was, this is it! I’m going to be marched out and thrown into that yard with those things.
Instead, I was marched down what I assume to be a corridor and deposited into what turns out to be a shower stall with bars. I was uncuffed and told that when the door shut, I could remove the hood. I was surprised to be in a shower! More surprised to find hot water!
A bar of soap, shampoo, a toothbrush with paste already applied, and a towel were on a shelf. It was amazing! A voice called in to warn me I had two minutes after I had undressed. I was instructed to push my clothes through the bars. That was when I noticed one of those orange jumpsuits I’ve seen on TV and in the movies, a pair of underwear, socks, and slip-on docksiders.
After my shower, I did the entire process in reverse. Of course they did not let me keep the toothbrush or anything else, but…I’m clean.
I still couldn’t get anybody to talk to me, much less answer any questions. But, and this was huge, I was told that all my friends are “okay.” I’m not sure what that means exactly, but, it is somewhat comforting.
Wednesday, March 5
Today has been one of revelations and surprises. This morning, I got my first surprise with breakfast. My friend Paul brought it! When he handed me my tray, he said that he would be back after I ate. I gotta say, I didn’t taste much. I was so anxious that time went slower than normal. I found myself pacing as I ate. I couldn’t sit still.
Finally, Paul came to my door. He told me to step away and stay put until the door closed again. He came in and called out for them to “shut eleven.” He took a seat, using the stainless steel toilet like it was a chair. He asked me how I was and if I had been treated okay. I told him I was fine, but was concerned about my friends, especially Samantha and Reggie (and to a certain extent Joey in a different way). He said that everybody was fine, the women hadn’t been touched. As for Joey, my concern for him was apparently unfounded. He’s been like some sort of unofficial mascot. The past two days, he had been outside! Playing Frisbee! (I’d have to see that for myself.)