by Flacco, Jack
She noticed and stepped in the way of him and the trunk.
Looking at the desert rock, his mind drifted elsewhere. How could he explain to Matty he didn’t have a clue how to get in the camp nor did he know what the general looked like? As tough as he was, killing zombies with his bare hands, he couldn’t bring himself to tell of his inadequacy for not having a plan to a fifteen-year-old.
Matty crossed her arms and smiled.
“What’s gotten into you?” Ranger scratched the back of his head.
“You have no idea, do you? You told the truth when you said we’re marching in there with guns blazing and setting the oil well on fire for a diversion. Weren’t you?” Matty could see by the slight grin on his face that she knew him better than he knew himself. She pushed him aside and headed to where they had sat at the campfire the night before. “I am not surprised.”
Ranger chased after her. “C’mon, Matty.”
“You do this every time, Ranger.” She stomped away.
He caught up to her, grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. Their eyes met.
“Let go of me!”
Jon woke up and peeked over the backseat of the truck rubbing his eyes. His hair went in many directions. Randy popped his head from the passenger seat window where he, too, woke up to the sound of Matty’s voice.
Ranger let her go and dropped his hands to his side waiting for the color in her face to return to normal. He allowed her to steam. He wouldn’t argue that he deserved her sharp tongue to hit him occasionally, but he also felt he needed to deflate the situation. He said, “We’ve had this discussion before.”
Oh, it’s a discussion now, Jon thought. Most of the time it’s Matty screaming and Ranger taking it. This ought to be good.
“Every time I agree to your wild ideas, I’m left picking up the pieces. Either you blow everything up or we’re running by the seat of our pants. Well, I’m not going to take it anymore. I’m through.” She turned her back on him and headed to the spent campfire.
“Now you hold on there.”
She stopped to face him.
“This time, it wasn’t my idea and you know it. All I did with Olivia was to ask her questions. You were the one who went all cowboy on us, tellin’ we had to whoop the general’s ass no matter what the cost. I was ready to walk. All I wanted to do was go home.”
“Sure, Ranger. I never saw your eyes light up when you looked at what the general did to the woman’s face. On the contrary, you were ready to go. All anyone needed to do was point you in the direction and you were set. You were like a dog chewing on a bone.”
Ranger stared at her, but Matty was not about to back down. He pushed the bill of his cap away from his eyes and leaned into her with his hands on his hips while she crossed her arms. His lips began to curve upward and a twinkle settled in his eyes. “What did you say?”
“You heard me the first time.”
“No. I want to hear it again.”
Jon and Randy had gotten out of the vehicle, their clothes disheveled from a good night’s sleep, and they stood a few feet from the pair, wondering what would happen next.
“I said you were like a dog chewing on a bone.” Matty’s eyes also twinkled this time.
The silence between them lasted a long time before they smiled at each other thinking the same thing. No matter how many times they’d argue about the same thing, it would never change. Ranger would be the wild child heading into a tight situation with both guns blazing, and Matty would wonder why no one had made any plans before unloading another case of ammo into their next target.
“Are you guys finished?” Randy asked.
“Yeah,” Jon yawned. “I’m hungry, and if you guys are done, I want to grab something to eat before we head into another one of your fights. You guys are exhausting.”
Chapter 23
Close to dusk, a motel with a gas station stood in the distance. The SUV veered off Weis Highway to sit parallel with the first pump at the station. Ranger and the kids needed a place to stay and another campfire didn’t sit well with Matty. She wanted a bed to slip into to remind her of home. Ranger pumped the gas they needed and the boys had all they could do wondering if the place had a pool. A strange thought in the desert, of course, the second thing on their mind had to do with zombies roaming about in the back woods next to the motel, which they didn’t want, since all of their bellies cried for food and they’d consider it a lucky day if they’d find any.
Elmer’s Motel had twelve rooms. The front office rested closest to the gas pump, a strategic position benefiting the owners spying on travelers who thought they could pump and run back in the days before the change. The owner would stand in the window scribbling their license plates, then phone the information into the sheriff’s office at the next town where the deputies would nab the thieves.
When the boys entered the front office, a little bell at the top of the door rang. With Jon standing behind him, Randy raised his gun at the back entrance where, if anything would appear, it would come from that direction. They stood frozen in what seemed like a permanent stance. Satisfied the undead did not walk among them they shook their stress from their limbs and strolled into the office. The first thing they noticed came in the form of a vending machine. Jon’s face filled with color and surprise. He skipped to it hoping to get his hands on a bag of chip. Perhaps he’d even hit the jackpot and strike upon a candy bar.
The machine stood to the side of a small front desk where the owners would have checked in guests for the night. Randy remained cautious, not holstering his weapon. Jon gave the machine a nudge, but nothing would make the thing budge. It sat with a solid posture and mocked anyone who dared trifle with it.
While Jon kept busy attempting to slip his hand in the dispenser’s slot where the goodies would drop after paying, Randy strolled around the front desk to investigate. He kept the gun in front of him as he moved closer to the back room entrance. All he wanted to do was give it a quick peek, then move on, he thought. No sooner had he opened the door to a squeak, a gun protruded from the entrance pressing against his face. A young man with blond hair, the kind someone would get while working in the sun too long, seized Randy’s gun, then motioned him to be quiet and have a seat in the waiting area. Jon, too busy fiddling with the dispensing machine, hadn’t noticed Blondie approaching until his reflection appeared in the glass of the machine. Just as Blondie went to grab him by the scruff of his neck, Jon screamed, “Ranger!”
Within seconds, Ranger burst through the door of the front office with his shotgun pointed in Blondie’s face. This was the second time Jon had fallen as a hostage. It started to become a bad habit. Blondie held Jon with a gun pointed at his temple. No one wanted to play a game of chicken. If Ranger tried anything funny, such as pull the trigger, Jon would die. If Blondie pulled the trigger on Jon, Ranger would make sure he would pay for it. Either way, Blondie would die.
As if someone knew better, a young woman with her two children, appeared in the doorway, and said, “Please, leave us alone, mister. Get your gas and leave us be. We’re plain folk. We don’t want any trouble.”
“How can I trust you?” Ranger asked. “How do I know you’re not going to shoot us in the back when we’re about to leave?”
“We’re God-fearing folk. We just want to live in peace.” The woman held her children tight with both arms around their chest. The kids, a girl and a boy, looked no older than six-years old.
“God-fearin’ folk? I have yet to find anyone who fears God in these parts.”
“Show him.” She nodded to Blondie. “Show him.”
With one hand, Blondie kept the gun pointed at Jon’s temple and with the other, unbuttoned the top of his shirt. Around his neck, he carried a gold cross. “Believe us now, mister.”
“Sorry, but I don’t believe you. You’ve got to do better than that.” Ranger loosened his grip on his shotgun as he felt the weight push on his arms.
That’s when Matty made her entrance, fanning
her weapon in all directions. When she saw Jon in Blondie’s hands with the gun pointed at his head, a disturbed look washed over her face and the anger scrambled her brain. “Let my brother go!”
Blondie held on to Jon even tighter. “I’m done being nice with you folks. Drop your guns and sit over with your friend. I don’t want to hurt nobody. Understand? Just put your guns on the counter and sit.”
In spite of her brother having his life threatened by a man who she didn’t know, Matty did not intend to drop her gun. Ranger had another idea. He studied the woman and the children, then examined Blondie and his cross. As much as he’d like to admit, they didn’t seem like the type that would kill. They appeared ordinary, plain, and not filled with hate like some of the others he’d encountered.
Under Jon’s watchful eye, Ranger flipped his shotgun to have the barrel pointed toward him and placed in on the counter, just as Blondie had asked.
“Are you crazy?” Matty kept her aim centered on the one who threatened her brother’s life.
“I don’t think he’ll shoot us. I don’t believe he’s as God-fearing as he says. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have threatened Jon’s life. He’s tryin’ to protect his family. I’d do the same.” Ranger lowered Matty’s gun.
“No, Ranger. They’ll kill us all!” Matty pushed the zombie slayer aside, but her gun felt the weight of Ranger’s strength, and she had to let go of her weapon to his powerful grip. The gun landed on the counter next to Ranger’s shotgun.
“Your turn.” Ranger held his hands in front of him where Jon’s captor could see them.
But Blondie wanted Ranger to do one more thing for him. “What about the knife?”
“I’m not gonna give you my knife. You have all our guns and a hostage. Now, I’m trustin’ you’re not gonna to do anything stupid. I’ve given you an olive branch. It’s your turn to do the same. That means you’ll need to trust us that we ain’t gonna do anything to you or your family.” Ranger examined the man’s face and noticed softness to his eyes. “And you know I’m not a threat. Why don’t you let the boy go? We’re here for a rest, maybe some food, then we’ll be on our way in the mornin’.”
Studying Ranger’s face and body, then concentrating on how young Matty looked, and on Randy’s blank stare, Blondie opened his arm and let Jon go. Jon scooted behind Ranger while Blondie placed his gun on the counter. Somehow, trust became the only currency anyone believed in. He offered his hand to Ranger. “My name is Jacob. Over there is my wife, Emma. The two kids are Ethan and Brooklyn. We don’t have much food, but what we have we can share.”
“Much obliged.” Ranger shook his hand. “I’m Ranger. This here’s Matty and her brother Jon. And over there is Randy.”
“Can I have my gun back?” Matty asked.
“Do you mind?” Ranger asked, pointing to the guns on the counter. He didn’t think Jacob would mind, but he thought he’d ask anyway.
“Sure thing,” Jacob handed them the guns and tossed Randy his.
“We managed to catch a coon out back. You’re more than welcome to join us for supper.” Emma said, still holding her children.
“Coon?” Jon peeked from behind Ranger. “Are we talking about raccoon? If we are, I think I’m going to barf.”
“You ate a snake last night.” Matty slipped her gun away from view. “Raccoon’s a step up the food chain, don’t you think?”
“What about the candy bars in the vending machine?”
“That’s for dessert.” Brooklyn, the little girl, said.
“How ‘bout skipping dinner and going straight for dessert?” Jon rubbed his tummy.
* * *
Under the stars and behind Elmer’s Motel, the fire warmed Ranger’s team and Jacob’s family, keeping them cozy. They sat on logs and overturned shipping crates from past deliveries to the lodging. The raccoon meat proved delicious. Jon had a pile of bones next to his feet that he wouldn’t have imagined possible under any other circumstance but for his hunger. He smacked his lips and let out a belch. Everyone laughed except Matty, who scolded him to pay attention to his manners. As long as Matty looked after him, she dictated his upbringing. Belching after a meal didn’t sit well with her, even if she, too, would let one slip later in the evening. Sitting on her left, Randy shared his portion with her, but she wouldn’t take it. Everyone had their portions and everyone needed the fuel to get them through the next few days. She gave him a slight smile knowing he cared enough to think of her.
Using his jeans to wipe his hands, Ranger stretched his legs while watching the fire’s flames roll. The more he stared at the flames, the more the memories streamed through his mind of how things used to be with Darla, his wife. One of the memories wouldn’t let go.
Darla had nudged him that morning, but instead he had buried his face deeper in his pillow wanting a few more minutes of sleep. When she nudged him again, his eyes opened to her smiling. A gift lay on her side of the bed. It was their anniversary, and the small token she had wrapped for him prodded him to sit up and yawn. He could have gone another hour in a coma, but at five-seven with long dark hair and well endowed, she looked much too beautiful to ignore.
With a serious face, she teased him and said how much she loved him, but if he chose to be on the road often, then she might as well have an affair to tend to her needs. He joked back, asking permission to keep the ones he already had met on the road. The corners to Darla’s mouth rose to a curl, knowing he was referring to them, since he had met her on the road.
Ranger tore the wrapping from the gift. He had no idea what Darla had given him, but once he had opened the small box, his face turned to surprise. She had given him a wedding band, an unusual gift, since they had already been married for several months. They never had the chance to purchase rings for each other due to their whirlwind romance, and his trucking schedule after the wedding. Even though they had a marriage license, she had wanted to make it official for a long time.
Darla took the ring from its box and slipped it on Ranger’s finger. They exchanged smiles and she hugged him. Moments passed and Ranger said he had bought something for her. Of course, she bounced on the spot with joy rushing through her body with the knowledge he hadn’t forgotten their anniversary.
From under his pillow, Ranger pulled the small gift-wrapped sentiment. He handed it to Darla to do what she wanted with it. She furrowed her brow not having a clue as to what he might have gotten her. Whatever it was, she couldn’t wait and tore through the wrapping while holding her breath. When she opened it, her face turned serious. She never thought he’d do such a thing. From inside the box, she pulled a diamond ring, not large, not small. The ring had one diamond set on a gold band. The light from the window made it sparkle.
Ranger took it from her hand and slipped the band on her finger. Then, while Darla admired the diamond, he cracked open the bottom of the box to reveal another gift for her, a wedding ring. She couldn’t contain her joy. Her face crumpled and her cheeks became wet at his thoughtfulness. He didn’t waste time, he slipped the ring on her finger, then declared it official, not that it made a difference since they had married without rings in the first place.
They embraced and held each other tight, never wanting to let go. If only life would have always been this way. From there, the memory faded and Ranger returned to staring at the campfire as he heard the crackle of wood from the consuming flames.
As Ethan continued chomping on his meal and his mother Emma helped him with tearing the meat from the bone with her nimble fingers, Brooklyn strolled and sat next to Jon. She had a motive for her sudden change of seating arrangements, and although, at first not obvious, she soon enough made it clear. She handed him a flower she had picked from her side of the fire. Jon nodded and scanned everyone’s face. He wondered if they also felt the heat of embarrassment crawl up the back of their neck. He nudged over a few inches to his right putting some space between him and his new friend. He wasn’t sure if it was enough because she scrunched closer to him, which cause
d him to rise and scoot next to Matty, something he wouldn’t have done on his own, but he needed her protection from Brooklyn’s advances. Not discouraged, Brooklyn followed Jon and again sat beside him to the smiles of everyone around the campfire.
“Where are you all from?” Jacob asked, poking at the fire with a stick.
“I’m from Oklahoma. Matty and Jon are from Boston, while Randy, there, he’s from Arizona.” Ranger answered, tearing a blade a grass from the ground next to his feet and slipping it between his teeth.
“Boston’s a long ways away.” Jacob threw a small log on the fire but didn’t go further by asking Matty or Jon how they got there.
Matty didn’t volunteer that information either. She didn’t want to explain how her bus stopped in Las Vegas, how the zombies had attacked them as soon as they had stepped from the vehicle, and how they made their way to a lonely gas station in the Nevada desert only to meet Ranger who had rescued them.
“We’ve been here all our lives.” Emma said, continuing to help Ethan with his food while a shy smile appeared on her face. “I grew up in the next town over called Weinfleet. Jacob and I knew each other since we were toddlers, although we didn’t like each other at first.”
“If I remember correctly, your momma didn’t like me carrying on with the boys.” Jacob said.
“Yes, but she always had a soft spot in her heart for you. Not a Christmas would go by that she hadn’t asked if I’d gotten anything from you and she made sure I’d get you something.”
Randy and Matty traded glances as if they’d known what it felt to like each other but not allow things to move along too fast. Randy especially gazed at Matty’s face noticing how her soft features glowed from the orange reflection of the fire. He turned his attention to the flames to calm himself.
The quiet of the night floated through the campfire behind the motel with the crickets lending their song to the family and their visitors.
“You look like you’ve had your fair share of chewers gnawing at your bones, Ranger.” Jacob noticed the faint green splatter markings on Ranger’s jeans as he broke a few more sticks and tossed them into the fire.