John Ringo - Islands of Rage and Hope

“A total pervert,” Athena said. “That’s for sure. And the answer is: ‘ Celebrity Survivor, Zombie Apocalypse: The shit just got real.’ Still not getting the rope cut. We need sections of rope to play bondage-girl-party. We can’t just keep tearing up Christy’s clothes. I mean, well, we c— Just try to find something with an edge! I can’t believe none of you have so much as a nail file.”

“Like this?” Christy said, pulling one out of her hair.

“In your hair ?” Athena said, clearly trying not to scream. “Your hair, for God’s sake? Do I even want to ask what a full body cavity search would turn up? Do you happen to be carrying a helicopter somewhere?” She looked at the girl’s face and sighed. “I’m sorry, Christy,” she said, hugging her. “I’m scared, too. And it’s great you were carrying so much useful stuff. I wish I had your…” She looked down, then back up. “Foresight.”

As she spoke the lights went out.

“Joy,” Athena said, with a sigh. “In seriousness, I don’t suppose you have a flashlight…somewhere…?”

“No,” Christy said. “Sorry.”

“I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved,” Princess Julianna said, chuckling.

Fortunately, there were enough gaps around the edges of the hurricane shutters that after their eyes adjusted they could see. Sawing through the ropes with one small nail file took time However, they had nothing but. And, even more fortunately, the gagged Snoopi was so far the only one to turn. And gagged.

There was, surprising Athena not at all, a massive collective knowledge of various ways to tie someone up.

“Or we could tie our wrists to our knees, like this…” Sarah said, using Christy as a model.

“We need to be able to get out of them,” Julianna said.

“Tighter,” Christy said huskily.

“Not the point , Christy,” Anna said, hands on her hips.

“Wanna make out?” Christy asked, her eyes lighting.

“LATER!” Athena bellowed. “Just concentrate to the extent you can.”

“Getting harder,” Sarah said.

“I always wondered if you had those parts, Sarah,” Athena said.

“Why is everyone in my industry insane ?” Anna said, holding up her hands. “Can we get serious for a moment? I am going to kill my agent for talking me into this. ‘It’s in St. Barts, for God’s sake. You’ll have fun!’”

“Honestly,” Athena said, “I’d rather be here than L.A. And if there is a God, all agents are going to be eaten. Not getting the problem solved…”

Best ways to secure themselves were eventually determined and Sarah and Christy got some, more or less, alone time at the back of the compartment. Although it was pointed out that either one could turn at any moment.

“I just wish they would keep it down,” Anna said, hopping over to sit next to Athena. She leaned up against the shelving and sighed.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Athena said, shrugging. “If I didn’t have a strong sense of self-preservation, I’d think about joining in.”

“Don’t look at me,” Anna said. “Go see Rebekah if you want someone’s neck to bite.”

“But it’s a very nibblable neck, Anna,” Athena said, smiling.

“Not funny in the circumstances, Athena,” Anna said. She gestured with her chin to Snoopi. “And that problem still remains. The answer to your earlier dilemma is the tarps and tape in case you hadn’t noticed.”

“I did,” Athena said. “But…I can’t do it. I just can’t.”

“Fine,” Anna said, standing up and hobbling over to Snoopi. She dropped her light wrist restraints, turned the struggling girl over facedown and sat on her back, pinning her to the ground. Then she reached around and pinched the former reality star’s nose closed.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Brenda said angrily.

“What does it look like I am doing?” Anna said. She had her head turned away and her eyes closed. But she was still holding the girl down with almost no expression on her face.

“You can’t do that,” Brenda protested weakly.

“Just bloody well shut up, Brenda,” Anna said. “If I face the High Court I’ll simply plead guilty.”

Finally, Snoopi stopped struggling. Anna checked for a carotid pulse, then stood up with the back of her hand over her mouth.

“Brenda, go get a tarp and a roll of gaffer tape,” she said, her voice muffled. “Julianna, Athena, strip her. We need the rags and ties. Now, I’m going to go throw up. And don’t anyone make a joke about the world ‘becoming a better place.’”

“How are you doing?” Athena said, sitting down next to Anna.

Brandon Jeeter, a “male” teen heart throb of such questionable sexuality French police categorized him as a woman, had just been added to the growing pile at the back of the storehouse. One by one over the last week members of the group had turned. First Snoopi, then Brenda McCartney, who before her death confessed she would have “cracked her own mother’s skull” for access to a vaccine despite her long-running opposition to the entire concept of vaccination. Rebekah Villon, famous mostly for her role as insipid character Berra from the Midnight movies and amazingly useless douchebag. Ines Moretti, has been a Beverly Hills Teen Force star, PETA activist, aggressive sponsor of all things vegan, peace activist and flaming bitch, frankly. Heather Marks, overendowed blonde-bombshell super-model, virtually an Untouchable in Hollywood since coming out of the closet in opposition to abortion and as a concealed carry proponent. Also one of the small group Athena had come to depend upon to get things done. Last, prior to Brandon, was Michelle Bazuin, just about the most cold-hearted bitch in a land of cold-hearted bitches, whose transformation was particularly ironic, in Athena’s opinion, given her one big movie was Zombiehood .

And Anna, quiet, composed, caring Anna, had strangled every single one to death with that same quiet, composed, cold expression.

“Strange,” Anna said, rubbing her hands. “Feeling very much like Macbeth. The king, not the lady. Out, out, damned rope burns. And conflicted. I feel immense loss when someone as wonderful as Heather turns. We needed her.”

“Agreed,” Athena said. “I miss her.”

“And I feel even more guilt with those who…” Anna said, her face working. “I hate that… It was Brandon . The only guy, sort of, in the compartment and he could barely be forced to lift a box of rations much less be any real help. The world truly is a better place. God help me for thinking it much less saying it no matter how true. Conflicted.”

“New rule,” Athena said, slipping out of her restraints and putting her arm around the girl. “Only you get to. And I think you switched a u for an a in that sentence. But you’re right. This is certainly a better place with him gone. Now if I could suggest Sarah?”

“Don’t, please, Athena,” Anna said.

“I’m scared,” Athena said. “I’m also…I’ve had a fever the whole time we’ve been in here. It won’t go away. I know what that means and it scares me. I get…bitchy, sarcastic and have a bad sense of humor when I’m scared. We all are. Christy just wants to fool around as much as possible before she goes. I don’t know why that girl never did porn.”

“She told me nobody would take her seriously as an actress,” Anna said, holding up her hand as if swearing. “Honestly. That’s what she said when I asked.”

“Well, she had good advice in that,” Athena said, boggling slightly.

“If I turn…” Anna said, frowning. “If you’re going to keep any credence as our leader, you will have to do it. And simply do it, Athena. Do not hesitate.”