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Chapter Text

Salt Lake City, Utah

Day 55

Tallulah’s Diner

1:30 PM

            “KILL EVERY ONE OF THOSE UNDEAD BASTARDS!!!”

            That was the direct order from Sgt. Armstrong at a diner where the gang was having lunch, when all of the sudden the zombies made their presence known.  The gang was trying to save the people in the diner, who looked perplexed at what they were seeing.  Some went in the back to hide, and others watched the carnage as it unfolded.

            “CHUCK, YOU HAVE ANY MORE AMMO?!” asked Peppermint Patty.

            “FULL MAGAZINE RIGHT HERE!” Charlie Brown shouted back.  “PATTY, DUCK!”  And Peppermint Patty did as instructed as Charlie Brown shot at an approaching zombie, blowing its head off.

            “Good eye, Chuck!” said a relieved Peppermint Patty.  Charlie Brown then tossed her the full clip and she loaded it into her gun.

            “CHARLES!” screamed Violette.  Charlie Brown turned around and saw a rather large zombie coming towards him.

            “You gotta be fucking kidding me!” sighed Charlie Brown.  He blew the zombie’s head off, killing it.  “That was a big one!”

            “Humongous!” agreed Sally.

            “EVERYONE, GET TO THE VEHICLES!” ordered Sgt. Armstrong.  “I think we killed all those cannibalistic assholes!”

            “Let’s go, gang!” said Charlie Brown.  And everyone headed back to their vehicles and went back to where they were now stationed, but not before giving a message to the patrons at the diner.

            “Get a weapon, or weapons,” Charlie Brown began.  “This was just the beginning.  There will be more!  And don’t be afraid to leave your homes if you have to, but stay armed!”  And he left and rejoined the others.  When he got to his car he didn’t see Snoopy around.

            “Sally, where’s Snoopy?” he asked his sister.

            “I thought he was with you,” Sally replied.

            “Lucy, did you see where he went?” Charlie Brown asked.

            “No clue, Charlie Brown,” she said.

            “Charlie Brown!” yelled Schroeder.  “Over here!  Come quick!”  And Charlie Brown, Sally, Violette, Lucy, and Rerun ran over and joined the others, who were looking down at something.  They had a grim look on their faces.  Frieda turned to Charlie Brown.

            “Don’t look, Charlie Brown,” she said.  “You don’t want to see this.”

            “Frieda, we’ve been dealing with the undead for months now,” Charlie Brown retorted.  “I think I can handle something grotesque.”

            “I don’t think you can handle this, man,” said Franklin.  And the group parted to a scene which shook Charlie Brown and Sally to their core.  It was Snoopy with a rather nasty gash across his stomach.

            “One of the zombies swiped at him during the melee,” said Patty (Swanson).

            “He’s not looking good, Charlie,” added Victoria.

            Charlie Brown gathered himself, looking at his closest friend who wasn’t Linus Van Pelt, wounded and now had what those zombies had in them inside of him.  He feared what happened to Pig Pen was now going to happen to his dog.

            Regaining his composure, Charlie Brown said, “Get some gloves on.  Lay Snoopy out in the RV.  We need to get him to Finn right now!”  And they all started to head back to the hotel they were staying at.

NEXT CHAPTER: CHECKING IN ON DR. WATTS AND KATHLEEN GRAY

Chapter Text

Somewhere in Montana

2:15 PM

            Harold Watts and Kathleen Gray were traveling down a deserted road to a trusted friend of the doctor’s.  It was one of Harold’s allies who was helping in developing the antidote for mass immunization of the infected.  They were about to touch base with this person and find out how far along they were.  They drove up to an unassuming house.  It looked like an ordinary old-fashion farmhouse on the outside.  This was to keep people from snooping around.  It was also outfitted with the latest in security.  Only Harold, the president, and a few trusted officials knew of its existence.  It seemed that Grant Gray, before his own demise, and Harold got going on finding a cure pretty early.

            After getting out of the car, they walked up to the house when a guard pointed their rifle at them.

            “DON’T MOVE ANY FURTHER!” he warned.

            “Guard, stand down!” ordered a voice.  “This is your boss right here!”  The guard did as instructed.

            “You’re Dr. Watts?” the guard asked.  Harold nodded.  “I am so sorry, doctor.  I was told to keep people out at all costs.”  The voice that spoke walked over.  It was a gorgeous brunette woman dressed in a canary yellow business jacket and matching skirt.

            “Harold, darling, I was wondering if you’d ever come,” she said with a husky, southern drawl.  She gave him a kiss on the cheek, leaving some lipstick on it.  The lady looked over at Kathleen.  “Who’s your friend, honey?”

            “This is Grant’s widow Kathleen,” Harold began.  “Kat, this is Tara Raven, one of my top leads on the project.  She’s running this base.”

            “Nice to meet you, Kathleen,” said Tara, shaking her hand.

            “Likewise,” said Kathleen.

            “I heard about what happened to your husband, dearie.  You have my condolences.  Grant was a good honest man.  Something that’s lacking in this world.”

            “I appreciate that.”

            “So, Tara, how far are we on this?” asked Harold.

            “We actually made some headway, baby,” purred Tara.  “We managed to test it on some of those creatures we managed to capture, and they turned back to normal.”

            “Just like what we did for you, Kat,” said Harold to Kathleen.

            “We made some other findings you may not know about pertaining to the zombies,” Tara continued.  “It turns out if you get scratched by one of those things, you turn into one, just like if you were bitten.  Only this time the process is slower and more agonizing.  One of the guards got scratched by one of them we caught and we saw his slow transformation up close.  Luckily, we had finished developing the antidote by the time he finally completed his transformation and was able to cure him.”

            “So if they even scratch you, you become one, huh?” said Harold.

            “Yes, but it’s much slower than if you were bitten,” Tara replied.  “And more painful.”

            “Where is the soldier that got scratched?” asked Harold.

            “Leon, come here!”  And a black soldier walked up to the group.  “Show Dr. Watts where you got scratched.”  And Leon pulled up his shirt and they saw a healed four-finger gash across his stomach.

            “Sweet Jesus!” said Kathleen.

            “Do you still hurt, soldier?” asked Harold.

            “Nah, doctor,” said Leon.  “It did when it happened, but after I got cured, the scratch healed up along with my affliction.”

            “Amazing!” said Kathleen.

            “Tara, you know if the other bases are as far ahead as you are?” asked Harold.

            “Yeah, except Santa Monica,” Tara responded.  “In fact, we lost contact with them not too long ago, which is why I’m glad you’re here, baby.”

            “Okay, let the operator know to keep trying them off and on,” Harold replied.  “In the meantime, can you show Kathleen to her room so she can get some rest?  We’ve been on the road for what seemed forever.”

            “For you, darling, anything,” cooed Tara, giving Harold another kiss on the cheek, with another lipstick mark.  She turned to Kathleen.  “Right this way, dear.”  And Harold went with Leon to look at some things, and Tara took Kathleen to her room.

NEXT CHAPTER: GRIM DIAGNOSIS

Chapter Text

International Plaza Hotel

Salt Lake City, Utah

5:45 PM

            Finn was looking over Snoopy and taking a look at his wound.  While everyone knew that Snoopy’s time left alive was limited, they wonder if his transformation would be at the same speed as Pig Pen’s, or faster because of his short size and the fact he was a beagle.  Finn looked at Snoopy’s blood sample and was intrigued.  He went to find Charlie Brown and tell him about what he found out.

            In the main lobby, Violette was comforting Charlie Brown, as was Rerun with Sally.  The others were in the lobby as well, waiting to hear what was happening.  Violet walked over to Charlie Brown.

            “Any word about Snoopy yet?” she asked.  Charlie Brown simply shook his head no.  “Let me know if you need anything.”

            “I’m fine right now, Violet,” Charlie Brown said quietly, “but thanks.”  She looked at Violette, who just nodded.  A few months ago, Violet and Charlie Brown were at each other’s throats, but now, since the revelation about their fathers being former business partners and the falling out they had led to Grant’s conditioning of Violet to hate Charlie Brown had all come to light, they both were working on repairing their broken friendship, and were finally getting along, if not too close, as of yet.

            “You need a drink, mom amour?” asked Violette.

            “Can’t really do anything right now, babe,” Charlie Brown said.  “Not until I hear about Snoopy, at least.  I mean I know we’ll have to… you know, but I just want to know how much time, if any, does he have.”

            “I’m sure Finn will have an answer, Chuck,” said Peppermint Patty, who was sitting on Franklin’s lap in a nearby chair.

            “We just have to wait and see,” added Franklin.

            “You two have gotten closer, I see,” observed Charlie Brown.  “Are you…”

            “Just feeling things out right now, man,” said Franklin.  “Ever since Jasmine got bit by the zombies Patty here has been my rock, kind of like how Violette is yours right now.”

            “We’re taking it slow,” added Peppermint Patty.  “Not to mention we’ve been friends and baseball teammates for as long as I can remember.”

            “Don’t need to tell me that,” Charlie Brown retorted.  “If two people are a good match, it’s you two.”

            “Thanks, Chuck.”  At that moment, Finn got off the elevator and joined the others in the lobby.  Charlie Brown rose when he saw Finn coming over.

            “Charles, I have some findings when it comes to Snoopy,” he began.

            “Lay it on me, Finn,” said Charlie Brown.

            “Well, we all know what happened to Matthew (Pig Pen) when he got just a tiny scratch on his arm.  In Snoopy’s case, it’s much worse.  While Matthew had very little time left before he had changed, Snoopy has even less.  Even if the scratch was like Matthew’s he’d still have less time due to his short stature.  And dogs have faster heartbeats than people. So the blood is flowing at a much faster rate.  We will need to deal with Snoopy now.  I have Bruce watching Snoopy right now in case he turns while I’m here, but we have to act now.”

            “Finn’s right, kids,” agree Sgt. Armstrong.  “Sad as it will be, we need to put Snoopy down.”

            “I’ll do it,” said Charlie Brown.

            “Will you be able to handle it, Charlie Brown?” asked Shermy.  “Snoopy is your dog.  You may not be able to do it on that fact alone.”

            “I ended my own father because he transformed,” Charlie Brown reminded everyone.  “If I can take out my own parent, I can do this to end my dog’s suffering.  Franklin, your pistol.”  Franklin gave Charlie Brown his pistol.

            “Good luck, Charlie Brown,” said Lucy.

            “Thanks, Lucy.”

            Charlie Brown and Finn got up to the 3^rd floor where Finn’s room was.  Charlie Brown had a silencer on his gun so the other guests didn’t hear the shot ring out.  By the time they got to the room Bruce was standing back.  Snoopy had already transformed.  His snout was now twisted and sickly-looking.    His fur was even grayer than his ears were.  His teeth were green and his eyes were glowing yellow.

            “Don’t get too close, Charlie,” said Bruce.  “That ain’t your dog, anymore.”

            “I know, Bruce,” said Charlie Brown.  “Stand back.”  And Bruce got back as Charlie Brown aimed the gun at what was once his dog.  Thinking back to the memories he had with Snoopy from getting him from the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, to feeding him, to going on many adventures with him, up to now when they fought the zombies off, Charlie Brown shed a tear for his dog.

            “I love you, old pal.”

            *BANG!*

            Soon, Charlie Brown, Bruce, and Finn exited the room.  Charlie was still carrying the gun, still smoking from the barrel from the shot.  They hopped back on the elevator.  Once back down in the lobby, Charlie Brown handed the gun back to Franklin and went over to where Violette and Sally were.

            “Is it done, Charlie?” asked a tearful Sally.  Charlie Brown didn’t say anything but crumpled into the arms of his girlfriend and sister.  The others were crying as well.  Sgt. Armstrong just shook his head.

            “Godspeed, flying ace,” he simply said.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE PLANS FOR THE CURE

Chapter Text

Secret Farmhouse Base

Somewhere in Montana

8:20 PM

            Kathleen Gray came out of her bedroom and headed downstairs.  They saw some of the workers doing some developing of the cure.  They had all the ingredients, but was doing something different from what Harold had with the vial.  The antidote looked like they were in large capsule-like nuggets.  Tara Raven walked up to Kathleen.  She was now clad in a robe.

            “Have a good nap, honey?” she asked Kathleen.

            “Yeah, I did,” Kathleen replied.  “Tara, what are they doing?”

            “Mass-producing Harold’s antidote.”

            “But why do they look like that?”

            “Come.  Join me in the hot tub out back.  I’ll explain everything.”  And the two women went to an indoor patio where a hot tub was already on.  The patio was heated so they didn’t have to deal with the wintery Montana weather outside.

            “Do you have a swimsuit, Kat?” asked Tara.

            “Didn’t think to bring one with me, especially with what’s been going on,” Kathleen replied.

            “Look in that dresser by the door.  I have extras.  They should fit you.”  And Kathleen pulled out an orange one piece swimsuit.  She went to get changed and came back.  Tara had then taken off her robe, revealing a canary-yellow bikini.  “Okay, let’s get in.”  And both women entered the hot tub.

            “The reason why our people is making the cure in that fashion like what you saw is because we want to hit everyone with the antidote all at once,” Tara said, continuing her explanation.  “You ever heard of cloud seeds, Kat?”

            “Yeah?” said Kathleen.

            “Well, as you probably know, cloud seeds are used to start rainstorms.  And how those seeds are planted is by airplane and depositing them in clouds.  What we’re producing is a modified version of those seeds.  It has the ingredients that start the storm, but also has the zombie cure in super concentrated form in each seed.  They are doing it at our other locations, as well, aside from Santa Monica, which we don’t know the status of their work.”

            “When did you lose contact with them?”

            “Just about a few weeks ago, before you and Harold got here.  Anyway, what we plan to do with these modified cloud seed is deposit them into heavy cloud systems and have the rain with this antidote help change the zombies back to normal people.  If Santa Monica is as ahead as us, then we should be good to go sooner than later.  We just need to deal with Pettigrew first.  We’ve been lucky to keep these bases secret, thus far, but I feel his men is not too far behind.”

            “I hope he gets recaptured before he does anything to damage Harold’s hard work.”

            “The man’s obsessed with a zombie army, dearie.  He thinks he can command these things to do his bidding.”

            “Why does he think these things will listen to what he says?”

            “Your guess is as good as mine, honey.”  At that moment, Harold came up to the two women.

            “Tara, Kat, come to the meeting room,” he said.  “We may have come in contact with Santa Monica!”  And the two women climbed out of the hot tub and went to see what was going on.

            In the meeting room on a large projection screen, they saw other workers in Santa Monica and what looked like they were holding a door closed.

            “Jake, what’s going on over there?!” wondered Harold.

            “Pettigrew’s men found us, Harold!” Jake replied, worried.  “They killed two of our guards already!  There’s no trace of the seeds, though!  We had already shipped them to D.C. before his men arrived.”

            “Good work!  Here in Montana we’re about to ship them out, as well.”

            “Do it, man!  It will only be a matter of time before Pettigrew finds this place, as well!  Rumor has it that he had finally found Tobias Wilson and one of his men killed him!  Somewhere in Austin, Texas.”

            “You’re kidding!”

            “According to my source, an army sergeant and some teens, one of whom was Tobias’s own nephew, was protecting him, and it was when some zombies attacked a motel they were staying at was when he was killed.”

            “But it wasn’t the zombies, right?”

            “No, Pettigrew’s soldier did it before any zombie was near him.  I’m sure those creatures ate off the carcass, though.”

            “I don’t doubt it, Jake.”

            Then everyone heard someone shout, “WE HAVE THE PLACE SURROUNDED!!! GIVE US THE ANTIDOTE AND WE LET YOU LIVE!  IF NOT, WE WILL FEED YOU TO THOSE THINGS OUT HERE!!!  IF WE DON’T POP YOU FULL OF LEAD FIRST!!!”

            “I TOLD YOU IT’S ALREADY BEEN SENT OUT!!!”

            “THEN GIVE THE PLATE NUMBER OF THE VAN IT’S IN, OR A DESCRIPTION OF THE VAN!”

            “Man, those thugs are persistent,” said Tara.

            “Harold, what are we going to do?!” asked a worried Kathleen.

            “I will take care of those goons, doctor!” said Jake.

            “Jake, you don’t have to be a hero,” said Harold.

            “To protect what we’ve work for, to stop the genocide of this country, and possibly the world, we’re all ready to sacrifice ourselves.  But we’re taking down as many of those bastards, Pettigrew’s men and the zombies, to keep this on track.  Just promise me you reach the others and let them know to ship their supply ASAP!”

            Harold shook his head.  They heard the voice again.

            “I’M WARNING YOU, THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE!!!”

            “HOLD ON, GODDAMMIT!!!”

            “They may trace this call, Jake,” said Harold.  “They may find us, as well.”

            “I thought of that, doc,” said Jake.  “After I get off of here, the memory will be wiped clean.  No trace of me ever talking to you.  I set the system up like that after every one of our conferences.”

            “Always thinking ahead.”

            “Speaking of, I got this place to blow any second.  I better get off.  It was great working with you, Dr. Watts.  I hope to see you in the next life.  Good luck, and don’t let Pettigrew get his hands on the antidote!”

            “God be with you, Jake.”  And Harold hung up the call.

Santa Monica, California

Unassuming beach house on the strip

            Pettigrew’s men were outside of the room where Jake was.  He then opened the door and the troops rushed in.  They pinned Jake to the main board.

            “WHERE’S THE ANTDOTE, SCUM?!” growled the soldier in charge.

            “Like I told you, it’s already been shipped off,” said Jake.

            “Where is it headed and what does the van it’s in look like?!”

            Jake started laughing.  “Like I’m going to tell you assholes vital information.  You may be wondering why I’m willing to sacrifice myself for this.  Well, at this moment, I got this house rigged with explosives throughout.  I may die either at your hands or those things, or the impending explosion here, but I plan to take as many of you bastards with me!”

            “And why should we believe you?”

            “Free my hand and I’ll show you.”  And they released Jake and he pressed one single button revealing a countdown on the big screen, and there were just a few seconds left.

            3,

            2,

            1…

            “Oh shit!” said the soldier.

            Before anyone outside knew it, the house exploded, killing everyone inside.  Bodies from both Pettigrew’s men and Harold’s workers were flying out engulfed in flames.  People were horrified at the scene.  Firetrucks and ambulances were flying down the busy California roads to get to the scene.  From a distance, Pettigrew’s top henchman and major, Leopold, watched the scene unfold from a pair of binoculars.  He immediately called Pettigrew to let him know what had happened.

            “The place blew up?!” said an exasperated Pettigrew from his Idaho bunker.

            “Completely, sir,” said Leopold.  “I have no clue if they were able to get any information about Watt’s antidote, either.”

            “Dammit.  If you DO learn anything call me immediately.”

            “I will, sir.”  And Leopold hung up.  He hopped on a jet black motorcycle and left for parts unknown.

NEXT CHAPTER: A BEAGLE’S REMEMBERANCE

Chapter Text

The Journal of Charles Monroe Brown

Day 56

            This is a day I’ve always dreaded, and yet, this predicament sped it up, immensely.  And that day is the day I lay Snoopy to rest, except because he became a zombie beagle, we have to burn his body for proper disposal, which makes this much worse than if he had died of natural causes and/or old age.  He was much older but still filled with youthful energy.  Thank God for Violette, because as hard as it is right now, it be much worse if she wasn’t here with me.

            Franklin and Schroeder carried a box containing Snoopy’s remains to a wood pile.  They wanted to conceal what had happened to him when he turned from everyone because, while they were used to people changing and their faces twisting into something grotesque, even a loved one or a friend, Snoopy’s was much more horrific and the guys all agreed they wouldn’t show the girls, scarring them.

            They sat the box on the pile of wood.  Charlie Brown just watched with Violette and Sally comforting him.  Bruce brought out a can of gasoline and doused the box and the wood so it could burn quicker.  Shermy carried a torch and set the box and wood ablaze.  Everyone watched as Snoopy’s remains got cremated before their eyes.  Lucy walked up to Charlie Brown.

            “I’m really going to miss him, Charlie Brown,” she sniffled.  Despite having an antagonistic and sometimes chaotic relationship with him, she deep down cared about Snoopy.

            “I know, Luce,” said Charlie Brown, wiping his own eyes.  “He was in your life as much as mine and Sally’s.  You were almost like a second owner to him.”  Lucy smiled and hugged her favorite blockhead.

            “Good ol’ Charlie Brown,” Lucy said smiling.  And she went to talk to Frieda about something.  Peppermint Patty walked up next.

            “You know Chuck,” she began, “I remember when I first saw Snoopy.  I thought he was a funny-looking kid with a big nose.”  They had a chuckle at the memory.  “I wasn’t very bright then.  But even when I knew he was a dog, he was still a good friend.  I will miss him, as well.”

            “We all will, Double P,” sighed Charlie Brown.  “We all will.”

            Later, Charlie Brown was outside of the hotel on watch.  It had been a long day, to say the least, but it was time to get back on the clock.  He could still see the smoke where they burned Snoopy remains, albeit now it had diminished a little.  Schroeder came walking up.

            “How you doing?” he asked.

            “Honestly, I’ve had better days, even counting this situation with the outbreak,” Charlie Brown said, grimly.  “Schroeder, this shitstorm caused us to lose our parents, our friends, and now my dog.  I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to kill this so-called General Pettigrew for what he caused!  And I don’t think a jury in the world would convict me!”

            “Count me in, man,” Schroeder responded.

            “Same here,” added Franklin, walking up.

            “The man possibly assassinated my uncle Tobias,” said an angry Shermy.  “I want a piece of him, as well.”

            “I’d like to sever that bastard’s balls and feed them to those things he created!” growled Victoria.

            “I’d feed them to him, myself!” added Lucy.

            Charlie Brown looked around and all of his friends surrounded him.  They knew this outbreak has gone on far enough.  Sgt. Armstrong walked up.

            “Kids,” he began, “I think the time has come for us to now not only find sanctuary, but to find Pettigrew and end his reign of terror and make his ass pay for what he has caused!  And I’m about to call in for some backup, as well, so we can hunt him down!”

            Violette walked up and kissed Charlie Brown.  “Charles, we are all here for you, mon amour.”

            “We all are, Chuck,” added Peppermint Patty.

            “Affirmative, Charles,” said Finn.

            “Absolutely,” said Rerun.

            “You know it,” Bruce replied.

            “100%!” said Patty (Swanson).

            “Let’s take down that bastard Pettigrew!” said a gung-ho Heather.

            Violet was the last one to walk up to Charlie Brown.  “I’m in it to win it!”

            “Looks like you have a huge support structure, Charlie,” said Sally.  Charlie Brown smiled.

            “All right, gang,” said Charlie Brown, with renewal, “we head back to Texas in the morning.  Sgt. Armstrong, could you contact your guys while we’re on the road?”

            “Absolutely, Charlie!” said Sgt. Armstrong.  “I can call my superiors about Pettigrew and gather some more info, as well.”

            “Everyone get some rest,” Charlie Brown finished.  “We leave tomorrow!”  And everyone went back to their rooms.  Violette stayed up with him for a bit before turning in, herself.  Charlie Brown would miss Snoopy dearly, but he knew he would want him to keep going, and he was going to win this battle with the zombies and Pettigrew, not just for him, but for Pig Pen, his parents, 5, 3, 4, Jasmine, Tobias, and, of course, Linus.

END OF BOOK 11