Dead World Resurrection Read online

  Dead World

  Resurrection

  The Collected Zombie Short Stories

  Of

  Joe McKinney

  By

  Joe McKinney

  JournalStone

  San Francisco

  Copyright © 2014 by Joe McKinney

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  ““Dating in Dead World” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in The Living Dead 2, edited by John Joseph Adams: Night Shade Books, 2009.

  “Resurrecting Mindy” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in Undead Tales, edited by Armand Rosamilia: Rymfire Books, 2011.

  “Zombies and Their Haunts” © by Joe McKinney, originally published at Tor.com, September, 2010.

  “Ethical Solution” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in The Harrow under the title “People for the Ethical Treatment of Zombies.” Vol. 10, No 5 (2007).

  “State of the Union” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in Death Be Not Proud, edited by Thomas Erb: Ambrotos Press, 2011.

  “Two and a Half Graves” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in a slightly different form in Potters Field 3 as “Plague Dogs,” edited by Cathy Burburuz: Sams Dot Publishing, 2007.

  “Starvation Army” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in History is Dead, edited by Kim Paffenroth: Permutes Press, 2007.

  “The Day the Music Died” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in Holiday of the Dead, edited by Remy Porter: Wildwolf Publishing, 2011.

  “Sabbatical in the Ohio Methlands” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in The Pedestal Magazine, Issue #55, 2010. Edited by Bruce Boston and Marge Simon.

  “Jimmy Finder” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in I, edited by Jeff Connor: IDW, 2012.

  “The Crossing” © by Joe McKinney—originally appeared as a chapbook released through Print is Dead: March, 2012.

  “Survivors” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in Dead Set, edited by Michelle McCrary and Joe McKinney: 23 House Publishing, 2010.

  “Bug Out or Hunker Down” © by Joe McKinney — originally published at Bricks of the Dead.com: April, 2012.

  “Bugging Out” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in ALT Zombie, edited by Peter Mark May: Hersham Horror Books, 2012.

  “Bury My Heart in Marvin Gardens” © by Joe McKinney — originally published in The Best of Dark Moon Digest, edited by Stan Swanson: Dark Moon Books, 2012.

  “Suburbia of the Dead,” — First publication; © 2014 Joe McKinney

  “Swallowed” — First publication; © 2014 Joe McKinney

  “Paradise of the Living Dead” — First publication; © 2014 Joe McKinney

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  JournalStone books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

  JournalStone

  www.journalstone.com

  The views expressed in this work are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

  ISBN: 978-1-940161-72-3 (sc)

  ISBN: 978-1-940161-73-0 (ebook)

  ISBN: 978-1-940161-74-7 (hc)

  ISBN: 978-1-940161-75-4 (hc—limited edition—leather binding)

  JournalStone rev. date: November 14, 2014

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2014953320

  Printed in the United States of America

  Cover Design: Rob Grom

  Cover Photograph © Shutterstock.com

  Edited by: Dr. Michael R. Collings

  This collection of stories is dedicated to my wife, Tina,

  for giving me the best years of my life,

  and to my daughters,

  Elena and Brenna,

  for making me believe in magic.

  Acknowledgments

  Works like this don’t come together without the help, guidance and support of many generous people, and I have many to thank.

  To Sanford Allen, Beckie Ugolini, Thomas McAuley, Brian Allen, David Liss, Robert Jackson Bennett, Rhodi Hawk, Hank Schwaeble, John Joseph Adams, Suzanne Robb, Kim Paffenroth, Bruce Boston, Marge Simon, Jeff Conner, Armand Rosamilia, Thomas Erb, Mitchel Whitington, RJ Sevin, Julia Rose Sevin, Peter Mark May, Michelle McCrary, Cathy Burburuz, Remy Porter, Jacob Kier, Joe and Jennifer McKinney, David Moody, Craig DiLouie, Rhiannon Frater, Scott McPherson, Jonathan Maberry, Michael R. Collings, Scott Shoyer, Ed Kurtz, Richard Dean Starr, Jim Donovan, Mitchel Whitington, Gary Goldstein, and a whole host of others,

  I owe you guys, big time!

  Endorsements

  "Joe McKinney writes with heart and authenticity, and this collection is Joe at his finest and distinguishes him as one zombie fiction's first and foremost authors." -Craig DiLouie, author of Suffer the Children

  “With vivid imagery and a knack for storytelling that puts on display all facets of the human condition, Joe McKinney takes the reader on a horror filled roller coaster ride through the zombie apocalypse. Like an upscale Vegas buffet, this collection of short stories has it all: from the incredibly technical, yet poignant, expose as to what Joe would do in the event of a zombie outbreak to a futuristic tale wrought with zombies and the telepathic humans and bots that hunt them. So run-don't trudge-and pick up this exquisite tome chock full of tales from the apocalypse.”

  -Shawn Chesser, Author of the best-selling Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse series.

  Think zombie fiction is dead? Think again! With Dead World: Resurrection, Joe McKinney demonstrates how varied, complex, and yes, even literary zombie fiction can be. This collection further cements McKinney’s reputation as one of the best writers of dark fiction working today. Don't miss it! – Tim Waggoner, author of The Way of All Flesh

  "The publication of Joe McKinney's Dead World: Resurrection should be cause for celebration for zombie fans of all stripes. I cannot think of a stronger collection of zombie short fiction by a single author—or, for that matter, by multiple authors in anthology—available today. For whatever reason, we seem to be living in a 'golden age' of zombie fiction, here, in the early days of the twenty-first century. Anyone who reads 'Dead World: Resurrection' will understand why Joe McKinney is responsible— in no small part—for a good degree of that gilding." -Scott Kenemore, author of Zombie, Ohio

  "When Joe McKinney told me he was putting all of his zombie shorts in one collection, I was excited. When I read them and realized there wasn't a filler in the bunch, I was ecstatic. The diversity of the stories and brilliant writing makes me want to beg him to keep them coming!"

  -Armand Rosamilia, author of the Dying Days zombie series

  "Joe McKinney stands with Max Brooks, Robert Kirkman, and Jonathan Maberry in the pantheon of modern zombie authors, with Dead World holding its own with World War Z, The Walking Dead, and Fall of Night. The stories in Dead World Resurrection peek between the seams of the novels, and Joe's thoughts about each piece let us peek into the mind of the author. McKinney is a master of deeply personal, gut-wrenching storytelling. His every tale hits home, no matter how gruesome or mundane, and this collection is a master class on zombie fiction that matters." -Patrick Freivald, author of Jade Sky and Blood List

  “McKinney writes zombies like he’s been gunning them down all his life.” -Weston Ochse
, author of Seal Team 666 and Halfway House

  “Joe McKinney has been my favorite horror writer since he first broke on the scene. Here is the most original voice of modern horror.” -Jonathan Maberry, New York Times-bestselling author

  “Page-turning tension, sympathetic characters, and a unique setting – this is the real deal.” -David Liss, New York Times-bestselling author of The Day of Atonement and The Whiskey Rebels

  “Far too many writers of horror in general, and zombie stories in particular, think that the horror comes from the situation, and so they splash gore and foul language and viscera about with abandon, never understanding that horror only succeeds when it is happening TO someone that the readers care about. Joe McKinney never makes that mistake.” –Michael Brent Collings, author of The Haunted and Darkbound

  “You’ll want the shotgun seat for this wild ride. Bring a crash helmet.”

  -J.L. Comeau, Countgore.com

  “Welcome to Joe McKinney’s Dead City universe, a relentless thrill ride where real characters do bloody things on nightmare streets. Break out the popcorn, you’re in for a treat.” -Harry Shannon, author of The Hungry

  “A scary, fast-paced ride, full of hair-raising twists and turns that keep the reader spellbound. Do yourself a favor and snag a copy…thank me later.” -Gene O’Neill, author of Dance of the Blue Lady and The Burden of Indigo

  Table of Contents

  Introduction by David Moody

  Resurrecting Mindy

  Dating in Dead World

  Bug Out or Hunker Down

  Bury My Heart at Marvin Gardens

  Zombies and Their Haunts

  The Day the Music Died

  Survivors

  Suburbia of the Dead

  The Crossing

  Paradise of the Living Dead

  Jimmy Finder

  Bugging Out

  Ethical Solution

  Swallowed

  Sabbatical in the Ohio Methlands

  Two-and-a-Half Graves

  Starvation Army

  State of the Union

  Author’s Notes

  A Reader’s Guide to Dead World

  Toward a Preferred Chronology

  About the Author

  Introduction

  By

  David Moody

  I’m often asked what I think makes a good zombie story. I guess everyone has a different take on the answer to that particular question, but I know what I like. I have a kind of tick-list.

  First off, I like a good set-up: an engaging scenario and something different, perhaps, from the usual ‘evil/misguided/stupid scientist accidentally/intentionally releases a deadly virus into the atmosphere and all hell breaks loose’ story clones which plague the genre. I also like that set-up to be imbued with an uneasy, unpredictable atmosphere so it’s not immediately obvious from the first page who’s going to live, who’s going to die, and who’s the one who’ll get bitten, hide the wound, then “turn” and become a zombie at the least opportune moment.

  We’re dealing with flesh-eating ghouls here, so I like more than a liberal sprinkling of gore. And I like that to be inventive gore too. Well described, visceral, slimy... gross. Enough to put you off that sandwich you were thinking about having.

  I like an element of realism. I know we’re talking about reanimated corpses walking around and eating people—you’d be hard-pressed to think of a less plausible scenario—but I want to be unnerved and unsettled. I want the story to suck me in with its detail and leave me thinking could this happen? Or if that was me, what would I do?

  I think good zombie stories should steer away from the overused clichés of the genre and take you by surprise. Most of all, I think the very best zombie stories are often not about the zombies at all. They’re about the living: the people like you and me, trapped in the middle of an unimaginable nightmare and doing all they can to preserve what remains of their lives and loves from attack by the living dead.

  Whenever I read a zombie story by Joe McKinney, I know I’m going to get exactly what I’m looking for. All those boxes on my list will be ticked.

  Over the years, Joe’s name has become synonymous with zombie fiction, and rightly so. He brings a unique approach to the table, a bi-product, I think, of the life he’s led and, of course, the fact he’s a damn good writer.

  I’m sure you know this already, but Joe’s a vastly experienced police officer. I’m willing to bet he’s had to deal with worse things in his many years in uniform than a horror hack like me could ever come up with for a piece of fiction. I’ve always thought one of the most important skills a cop must have is the ability to understand people and to be able to communicate in even the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances. That skill shines through in Joe’s writing. He really knows people! His characters are honest, genuine, and well-drawn, and their actions are always understandable. For me, that’s key to the success of his stories. He sucks you in with people you quickly learn to care about, then throws them to the wolves (or, more often, to the dead).

  It was an honor to be asked to write an introduction for this collection, and it was a joy to be able to dive into Joe’s back catalogue of zombie shorts. You’re in for a real treat here, reader! These stories cover the full gamut of the zombie sub-genre, from settings as diverse as futuristic wars between the last of the living and the all-conquering zombie hordes, to hitherto unknown outbreaks discovered by the earliest explorers of the Pacific Ocean. From present day San Antonio to the grime and poverty of the back streets of nineteenth century London. From huge battles involving armies of thousands to the smallest personal encounters between the living and the dead.

  Reading this collection has reminded me why I love zombies so much. They’re a unique creature—incredibly similar to us, but also immeasurably different. When we look at zombies, it can be like looking into a mirror. And when we imagine how we’d react when faced with the undead, it all too often shows how we treat (and mistreat) each other.

  In this collection, by writing about the living dead, Joe has reminded us what’s so great about being one of the living. I hope you enjoy reading (or re-reading) these stories as much as I have.

  David Moody

  Birmingham, UK

  June 2012

  Dead World

  Resurrection

  The Collected Zombie Short Stories

  Of

  Joe McKinney

  Resurrecting Mindy

  The big Christmas tree in front of the Dayton Mall had fallen down sometime during the last year. Kevin’s gaze drifted over the faded tinsel and mud-encrusted ornaments, and he wondered when that had happened. Probably during the rains back in early September. Those were bad. A lot of the area flooded, and the winds that came with the rains must have damaged the tree as well.

  Of course, he really didn’t know for sure. The only time he came here anymore was at Christmastime. The world had ended three years before, just before Christmas, and the inside of the Dayton Mall still had a lot of decorations hanging from the common areas and inside the shop windows. Every year around this time, he made the trek to the mall and scavenged whatever he could carry to decorate wherever he was living at the moment. These days, it had become a ritual, just like keeping up his calendar, and keeping his hair trimmed, and making sure his food stores were well-stocked. The rituals, in fact, were about the only things that kept his morale up.

  And God knows there was enough to feel depressed about.

  There was a sort of soul-sucking loneliness that came with being the last man left alive.

  It made him wonder if there was any reason to keep going. After all, did it matter when he died? Tomorrow, or thirty years from now, the results would be the same. After he was finished, humanity was finished. Wasn’t he just postponing the inevitable?

  Could be. But he wasn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.

  For now, he had a mission.

  Kevin got down on his belly so he could squeeze between the fro
nt tandems of an eighteen-wheeler. From there, he watched the parking lot, figuring out a safe route to the doors.

  It actually didn’t look like it’d be difficult this year. The zombie hordes that had swarmed the area in years past had thinned quite a bit. He didn’t know if the majority of them had moved on or decayed to the point they couldn’t move anymore. Maybe they’d started to eat each other. Who the hell knew?

  He supposed it didn’t really matter.

  Fewer zombies meant it was easier to stay alive, and that was all that mattered.

  There were fewer than fifty of them out there walking the parking lot now, and it didn’t take long for a wide gap to open in the crowd. Kevin tensed, ready to run. Another few seconds, and it would be wide enough for him to go.

  And that’s when he saw her.

  Mindy Matheson.

  Holy shit, he thought. He stared at her for a long moment, watching her curious, clumsy movements. That really was her. That’s Mindy Matheson.

  And she’s faking it.

  §

  It had been a while since he’d seen a faker.

  Most didn’t last long. Right after the outbreak, Kevin and some other survivors he’d hung out with had seen one or two a week. The fakers tried to make themselves look like zombies. They smelled like zombies, moved like zombies, had flies swarming around their eyes and mouths like zombies. But they weren’t zombies, and sooner or later, they messed up. They slipped out of character for just a second.