Free The Common Cold (Book 2): A Zombie Chronicle-Cabin Fever by David K. Roberts Page B

still works so if we get separated
you’ll still be able to find your way back.”
    “If you’re sure,” BB queried the decision. “I can help you top
off your tanks first.”
    “Yes, I’m sure. We’ve still got plenty. Get going, both of
you. Don’t want to attract those things again.”
    Needing no more encouragement, BB and Zoë ran for the other
chopper and opened the doors carefully, making sure they were still alone.
    BB jumped into the cockpit and sat in the right hand seat.
His vision out to the right was significantly reduced with the massive fuel
pods but he didn’t mind, they would make getting his wife back much more
possible. As he began the engine start sequence he reminded himself of the
guidance Mike had given him about what the extra fuel load would do to the
handling properties. The engine began to spool up and he gave the thumbs up
signal to the other ’copter which immediately lifted off in a cloud of dust and
moved off to the west to wait for him.
    Everything looked good so far; the engines sounded correct, gauges
as expected and the fuel indicated full on internal and external cells. Pulling
up on the collective, he was startled by a tremendous thump as a man leapt onto
the front of the canopy, pulling himself up using the wiper mounts, and
supporting himself on the FLIR cone. His face was badly injured, flaps of skin
flicking in the strong wind. The lack of flesh on its cheeks gave the creature
a strangely amused look, its permanent bony and toothy smile almost drawing a reciprocal
response from BB in return as he stared in shock at the apparition.
    “What the fuck?” BB shouted bringing Zoë forward.
    “How in the name of goddam hell did that get there? Do you
want me to go out and deal with it?”
    “Absolutely not! No need to risk
yourself, girl, I’ll get rid of it as we head back to the cabins. It can’t hang
on forever.”
    Climbing towards the other helicopter Mike spoke to him over
the radio. “Looks like you’ve got an unexpected passenger. What do you want to
do about it?”
    “With luck he’ll fall off by the time we get to the cabin.”
    “What if he doesn’t?”
    “With the outside air temperature and wind chill from the
downdraft the bastard should be pretty much frozen solid by the time we get
there so we could just scrape him off like a bug,” BB replied having already
given it some thought.
    “Yeah, well. Just in case he doesn’t, let me land first and
we’ll get ready to kill it when you touch down.”
    “Sure thing, Mike. Thanks.”
    “Roger.”
    They flew on together in silence, BB flying high and just
behind Mike’s helicopter. BB tried hard not to look at the man’s face as it
stared in at them. Zoë was transfixed by fascination; she’d not been this close
to one of the creatures before without having to kill it and was examining it
closely.
    “Look at that poor bastard,” she commented. “To think he was
once a soldier, with a life; maybe he had kids and a missus, maybe they’re just
like him now. It’s hard to picture that when you see him in that state, the
only thing human about him now is his uniform.” The man’s face was beginning to
freeze; what were once loose flaps of skin had ceased their rapid flailing in
the downdraft as they froze, becoming rigid. The movement of its eyes began to
slow down until they ceased altogether, staring at nothing in particular.
    “I was right,” BB exclaimed. “He is freezing. It would be
interesting to see if he would revive when defrosted. It would tell us if we’re
safe in the mountains until spring. Think about it, if the whole of Denver
freezes and gets snowed in, then perhaps the zombies will freeze completely and
the problem will be over. If he doesn’t revive.”
    “Tell Mike. If you want to try this out you don’t want him
to shoot the thing as you land. Perhaps we can tie it up. We have those plastic
hand cuff thingies on board that chopper. With his hands secured behind his
back