I look at Jon and say, “We’re going to have a service for Kat. Let William and everyone know that we’ll have a service for her tomorrow at noon.”
“Okay, I will,” replies Jon.
I exit the Medical house and I see Jordan and Phil walking towards the cemetery.
I keep walking down the sidewalk and approach the Armory house. I enter the Armory house and see that we are fully stocked with guns, ammunition, and a variety of other weapons.
As I look at our weapons, I think about what to do next with the church, DK, Jacob, Channelside, the stadium, and around here. I start to get overwhelmed with everything and I sit down in the living room to calm down.
I look at the walls inside the Armory house and I start to breakdown. It hits me that we lost Kat and Jerri-Lynn. It feels surreal, but unfortunately I know that I’m not dreaming, even though I wish I could wake up in my bed and this was all a terrible nightmare.
I calm down, exit the Armory house, and lock the Armory house front door.
Lauren is walking down the sidewalk, towards the Armory house and she sees me lock the front door.
“Everything okay honey?” asks Lauren to me.
I look at Lauren and start to cry. Lauren runs over to me, hugs me, and asks, “What happened?”
“Kat is gone,” I answer.
“What happened?” asks Lauren as we break from our hug.
I start to walk away from the Armory house front door and answer, “She got shot and died.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, she was a good person,” says Lauren.
“Where were you going?” I ask Lauren.
“I was coming to the Medical house. Matt said you were there,” answers Lauren.
“Matt was supposed to help me in there, but he chickened out,” I say.
I walk with Lauren back to our house and I say, “Guess it didn’t matter anyway. Kat’s gone.”
Lauren doesn’t know what to say as we pass Buck’s house. I look at Buck’s house and then glance at Bobby G’s oak tree.
“This world really sucks now. We keep losing good people around here,” I say as I stop walking in our driveway.
“It definitely does,” says Lauren.
I enter my house with Lauren, and I’m greeted by Milo and Lauren is greeted by Callie.
As I pet Milo I feel a small sense of happiness and I’m grateful that I have Lauren, Milo, and Callie in my life.
I give Milo and Callie some treats and then I relax on my back covered patio with a bottle of beer. I place the bottle of beer on my patio table and everything that happened to me, Citrus Oaks, Jerri-Lynn, Kat, and around here hits me like a ton of bricks.
I think about Jerri-Lynn and Kat dying in our Medical house, the zombies attacking Citrus Oaks, and what I could have done different to save the people we have lost.
Lauren sees that I’m upset, and she comes over to me and asks, “What’s wrong honey?”
I gather my thoughts, look into our backyard, and answer Lauren, “It’s just been a lot for me to handle. All the loss and shit that’s happened around here. This shit isn’t normal to go through.”
Lauren sits down in the patio chair next to me.
“Watching the shows, the movies and reading the books about this stuff made us more prepared for this zombie stuff… but losing people and killing people to stay alive is way harder to deal with then I thought,” I say.
“I know honey. Losing people is never easy no matter how we lose them,” says Lauren.
“I’m not giving up or anything, but I’m having a bit of a meltdown,” I say to Lauren.
“I know you aren’t giving up, that’s not you. You are too much of a fighter,” replies Lauren.
“We’re going to have a funeral for Kat tomorrow at noon,” I say to Lauren.
“That’s a good idea, I’ll go tell everyone,” replies Lauren.
“Thank you sweetie,” I say to Lauren.
Lauren gives me a hug and kisses me and then goes back into our house and then around the neighborhood to tell everyone about the funeral service for Kat.
It’s the next morning and I am met by most people from Citrus Oaks and some people from the Haven. I address everyone as I stand next to Kat’s Citrus Oaks cemetery grave. I see William, Bruce, Li, Dr. Vargas, Jeremy, and Emily standing among our Citrus Oaks residents.
I end my speech with, “Thank you all for coming and I know we are all going to miss Kat very much. She’s gone but definitely won’t be forgotten.”
Deb invites everyone over to her house for some drinks and food after the funeral.
Several people go over to Deb’s house, but I stay around the cemetery with Jon, Matt, Phil, and Shaun.
William, Bruce, and Dr. Vargas come over to me and William says, “I’m sorry for your loss Ryan. Kathryn was a very nice person.”
“Thank you William. She definitely was,” I reply to William.
I feel that William and Dr. Vargas seem concerned and I ask Dr. Vargas, “What’s up Dani? Is everything okay?”
“Besides being at a funeral,” jokes Dr. Vargas.
I look at Dr. Vargas and she says, “Dr. Morris is gone from the Haven, and we think she went back to DK.”
“What happened?” asks Phil.
“Well, I called her out for not knowing basic medical knowledge and she got defensive,” answers Dr. Vargas.
“How do you know where she went?” I ask William.
“We got some intel about her being with DK in the Sarasota area,” answers William.
“Your men saw them?” asks Phil.
“Hector and the new group he’s with saw them,” answers William.
“Who is he with now?” I ask.
“Javier and his people at the Factory,” answers William.
“Do we have to worry about these people and Hector?” asks Shaun.
“I think we have a way to mediate the situation with Hector, but you probably aren’t going to like it,” says Dr. Vargas to me.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Some of Javier’s people are injured and require medical attention. They recently lost their doctor and medic during a trip out of the country and they could use the services of Dr. Briggs,” answers Dr. Vargas.
“Why can’t you provide their treatment?” I ask Dr. Vargas.
“Because you are better with trauma and surgery and Hector told me there is a lot of bad injuries that may require surgery,” answers Dr. Vargas.
I look at William and I ask him, “What do you think about me helping them?”
“I think it’s risky as Javier is very dangerous, but we’ll accompany you there if you decide to help them,” answers William.
I look at Shaun, Jon, Matt, and Phil and ask, “What do you guys think?”
Matt and Jon don’t answer. Shaun answers, “You know I’m down for whatever you need brother.”
I look at Phil and he answers, “Could be something pretty good for us if you don’t fuck it up.”
I smile after hearing Phil’s answer and I say to William, “Arrange the meeting and let us know.”
CHAPTER 15
EARN MY KEEP
“Any word from Bakari or the Ghosts?” I ask Phil the next morning as I stand with Phil outside on his front porch after our morning run.
“No, the last thing they told me was about them finding a lead on getting a key to the electric company device,” answers Phil.
“I hope they are doing alright. It would be amazing to get the power back on but I’m just glad the water is still drinkable around here,” I say.
“I hope TJ is doing well. We haven’t heard from him in forever,” replies Phil.
“I’m not sure if we’ll see him again as he seemed pretty adamant about not working with us since we were working with Bakari,” I say.
“Why though? Bakari and his people have been nothing but helpful,” replies Phil.
While looking at the Medical house I answer Phil, “I don’t know. Maybe something with a
ll the football players kneeling during the anthem and the other craziness with politics.”
“I don’t remember Bakari or any of his buddies kneeling though,” says Phil.
“Me either, but we’ll have to find out more about it if we see TJ again,” I reply to Phil.
“Any word on the meeting with the Factory people?” asks Phil.
“Nothing set, but William said he’ll get back to me today,” I answer Phil.
“Who do you want there for that meeting?” asks Phil.
“I don’t know. It might get crazy in there,” I answer Phil.
“Then Matt’s out,” jokes Phil.
I laugh and ask Phil, “Any more news about Whitney and the orange house?”
“I know Matt wants to go back over there, maybe we’ll go check it out today,” answers Phil.
“Well, let me know if you do and if William calls or anything else,” I reply to Phil.
“I will. I always share the messages I get,” replies Phil.
I say goodbye to Phil and run back home. I jump in the shower and have some oatmeal for breakfast.
As I’m finishing my oatmeal, Lauren enters the house.
“Eating without me,” jokes Lauren.
“I didn’t know when you’d get back in this morning,” I say to Lauren.
“I know, I’m teasing,” replies Lauren.
I place my empty oatmeal bowl in the kitchen sink and then put soap and water into the bowl.
“How was it?” I ask Lauren.
“Pretty good. Lisa, Kylie, and Kelly did well this morning, but Lisa can be a little much at times,” answers Lauren.
“Yeah, she means well, but she gets too excited at times and she loses focus,” I say.
“I just wish Nicole would come out with us,” says Lauren.
“I know Phil has been working with her and teaching her how to use some weapons,” I reply to Lauren.
“That’s good. We gotta make sure everyone is learning everything they can around here. When are you going to teach another medical class?” asks Lauren.
“I don’t know, but that’s a good idea,” I answer.
Lauren jumps in the shower, and I go over to Bobby G’s house to write down everything that’s happened lately.
I write for a couple hours and I take a break.
“Come in Ryan are you there Ryan?” asks someone over the radio.
“This is Ryan,” I answer into my radio.
“This is Bruce. William told me to tell you that we set a meeting with Javier at the Factory tomorrow at noon,” says Bruce over the radio.
“Thank you Bruce,” I say into my radio.
“We’ll come by to pick you up tomorrow around eleven,” says Bruce over the radio.
“I’ll be ready, but Bruce what do you think of Javier and the Hector situation right now?” I ask into my radio.
“I think I’ll protect you and whoever you bring tomorrow,” answers Bruce.
“Thank you Bruce, I appreciate it. See you tomorrow,” I reply into my radio.
“Over and out,” says Bruce over the radio.
I put my radio down on the table, and I feel a sense of security knowing that Bruce is coming with me tomorrow. Bruce is only one man, and a short man at that, but I feel protected by him for some reason.
I exit Bobby G’s house and I see Matt talking with Shaun in Shaun’s garage.
I walk into Shaun’s garage and hear Shaun ask Matt, “Why do you want to go back to that orange house?”
“Because, I want to see what Mike has found out around here,” answers Matt.
“We meet with Javier tomorrow. Bruce and William will be here tomorrow at eleven,” I say to Matt and Shaun.
“I’ll be ready,” replies Shaun.
I look at Matt and ask, “I’m sure you don’t want to come, but what’s up with the orange house?”
“I’ll go by myself to check in with Mike and see what he has found,” says Matt.
“No you aren’t going alone,” I say to Matt.
“Yeah, I know. I won’t go by myself, but I will go without you guys. I’ll take some guards,” replies Matt.
“What about Brody?” I ask Matt.
Shaun goes inside his house to help Lisa with something and I walk with Matt out of Shaun’s garage.
“I’m not sure what’s up with Brody, but something seems off with him,” answers Matt.
“I think you go with Jon, Jaws Junior, and someone else,” I say to Matt.
“I’ll go check with them,” replies Matt and Matt starts walking down the sidewalk away from Shaun’s house.
I pick up my radio and call for Phil.
Phil answers, “What’s up Ry?”
“Meeting is set tomorrow with Javier. Bruce and William will be here tomorrow at eleven,” I answer into my radio.
“Sounds good. I’ll be ready,” replies Phil over the radio with some heavy breathing.
“Everything okay over there?” I ask into my radio to Phil.
“Yeah, I’m kind of busy right now. I’ll see you tomorrow,” answers Phil over the radio.
I shake my head at Phil’s answer, laugh, and say to myself, “Guess they’re getting it in.”
I enter my house and I find Lauren and Fran in our living room talking.
“Hey honey,” says Lauren as I enter the living room.
“We are meeting with Javier tomorrow at noon. Bruce and William will be here tomorrow at eleven,” I say to Lauren.
“Do you want me there?” asks Lauren.
“Up to you, but right now we have Phil and Shaun coming,” I answer Lauren.
“You have to tell me if you want me there or not though. If you think you need me there to protect you,” jokes Lauren.
I sit next to Lauren and say to her, “I think we go with Phil and Shaun from here and the Haven people.”
“Do you think it’s safe going there?” asks Lauren.
“I don’t know, but I feel better having Bruce and William with us. As I don’t know this Javier guy and Hector will be there,” I answer Lauren.
“I’m sure they will like you Ryan. How can anyone not like you?” says Fran to me.
“Thank you mom, but I’m sure some people don’t like me though,” I reply to Fran.
“Then you don’t need them in your life,” replies Fran.
“How was writing?” asks Lauren.
“It’s going well, I’m just getting the big points of things down right now and there are errors all over the place, but it’s coming together,” I answer Lauren.
“Well, if you need my help. Just let me know,” says Lauren.
“I’ll have you look it over once I get more things down. I’ll need help from everyone to tell me what they went through as I haven’t been around everyone when things have happened,” I say.
“You want me to write things down?” asks Fran.
“Yeah, that would be great,” I answer Fran.
Lauren jokes, “That would be a small amount of writing. Woke up, worked in the gardens, made dinner, did wash, slept.”
“I do more than that around here,” replies Fran.
“We couldn’t keep this place running without you,” I say to Fran and then walk to my man cave.
I punch in the code on my electronic lock on my man cave door and then I enter my man cave.
Milo enters my man cave as I look at some different things on a bookcase shelf inside my man cave.
I look at my calendar and I see that it’s the middle of November now. I think to myself, “What are we going to do about the holidays? Will we celebrate holidays and birthdays again?”
Matt, Jon, and Jaws Junior arrive at the orange house. “Who all lives here again?” asks Jaws Junior from the backseat of Matt’s car.
“Mike and Whitney,” answers Matt from the driver seat of his car.
Jon exits from Matt’s car and looks around the neighborhood. Jaws Junior and Matt exit from Matt’s car. Matt walks towards the front door of the orange house
and Jaws Junior follows Matt. Jon looks around the neighborhood and sees a parked car in the driveway of a house that’s a couple houses down from the orange house.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Matt knocks on the white front door of the orange house.
Jon feels like the car in the driveway of the house that’s a couple houses away from the orange house is familiar to him, but he can’t place it.
“Who is it?” asks Whitney from inside the orange house.
“It’s Matt from Citrus Oaks,” answers Matt.
Whitney quickly opens the front door and looks at Matt and Jaws Junior. Whitney sees the faded t-shirt under Jaws Junior’s jacket and asks, “What’s up with the shirt? You love shark week or something?”
“It’s an inside joke, but the shirt means a lot to me,” answers Jaws Junior.
“You coming in Jon?” asks Matt.
Jon turns towards Matt and starts to walk towards the orange house.
Matt, Jaws Junior, and Jon enter the orange house.
“Whose car is that down the street?” asks Jon to Whitney.
“What car? There are like five cars on the street,” answers Whitney.
“The one in the driveway about three houses down,” replies Jon.
Whitney peeks through the boarded up windows and sees the car that Jon is asking about and she says, “I’m pretty sure that house is abandoned, and that car has been there since we took over this house.”
“You don’t know everything about the houses in here?” asks Matt.
Mike enters the living room and goes over to his desktop computer.
“I’ve checked most of the houses around here and that house is empty,” answers Whitney.
Matt walks over to Mike and asks, “How we doing Mike?”
“Pretty good, I’m tired as hell though,” answers Mike.
“Well, you’ve been on the computer for days now,” says Whitney to Mike.
Mike clicks on his wireless mouse and Matt looks at Mike’s computer screen.
Matt sees something on Mike’s computer screen, and he asks, “What street is that?”
Mike looks at his computer monitor and answers, “Twenty eighth street. Why what’s up?”
Matt looks closer at Mike’s computer screen and answers, “The water worries me. More and more streets are flooding, and we know some people around that area.”
Fight 4 Us (Book 11): Access Page 16