I looked behind me to see how far they were behind me and I felt my foot catch on something. I fell hard to the earth; the entirety of my right side was in extreme pain. I couldn’t move. They were closing in on me. Growling, grabbing, and scratching at me. There was nothing I could do but scream as the yellow teeth of a young male zombie closed in on the soft flesh of my neck…
I woke up completely confused. The dream had seemed so real. I even felt the pain in my right side and in my neck, which after a few conscious moments I realized had to do with the cramped quarters I had fallen asleep in.
The sun was shining in through the windows. With the blanket still on me, I was sweating profusely. I put the blanket in my backpack to have just in case.
My mouth was so dry; I took a long refreshing sip of water. I didn’t drink as much as I wanted though. I was trying to conserve my rations. Unable to brush my teeth, I popped a piece of gum in my mouth.
There was a pack of wipes I kept in the car for Jackie when she had snacks in the car. I used one to wash my face and rinsed under my arms with it in an attempt not to feel completely disgusting. I added the wipes to my backpack.
I ran a brush threw my hair and put it up in a ponytail. I was trying to busy myself and feel normal. I didn’t want thoughts of the day before to creep into my psyche. Not yet. With any luck, I’d be at the Navy base in about an hour’s time.
I climbed over the center console back into the driver’s seat. It took a moment to find what I had done with my keys and after ten minutes of searching, I found them wedged between the passenger side seat and the center console.
I put the keys in the ignition and turned, the engine however, did not. It made that sad little noise it had made all month but this time it didn’t kick into life after its complaining. I let go of the key and decided to wait a moment.
I looked out into the distance. About a hundred yards away sat a zombie eating on some kind of animal. I felt uneasy and just wanted nothing more than to get a move on. I turned the key again but nothing.
I kept at it but all I got was a choking noise before she stopped giving me anything at all. It was dead and gone. Just another addition to the list of things I had lost in less than 24 hours.
I tried not to panic but I felt like I was being crushed. That I couldn’t breathe. What was I going to do? It would maybe take a day or two to walk to the base if I made good time but I didn’t think I could do it. How would I survive that journey with all these monsters that wanted to eat me?
“Now is the time to be strong,” I whispered to myself.
I took a deep breath and opened the door. I got out of the car as quietly as I could. The zombie down the road never looked up from her meal as I got my bag and closed the door.
I put my jug of water on the hood while I adjusted the backpack so the weight would distribute evenly since it was such a far walk. I was messing with the bag and didn’t notice anything unusual. Not until I felt something pull on my bag.
I turned to see another female zombie growling and grabbing at me. I reached for the gun at my hip only to discover it wasn’t there. I looked into the car to see that it was sitting on the backseat. The knives were located in the bag.
I quickly ran to the other side of the car. The zombie chased after me. I tried to get into the car but I didn’t have the time. The zombie was very close to grabbing me when I put my hand on the handle of the backdoor. I ran again with no idea what to do next. If I didn’t have time to get into the car to grab the gun, I didn’t have time to grab the knives. I couldn’t believe my lack of planning. I was not at all prepared for this and I should’ve been. I knew what the stakes were getting out of car and yet I let myself be blindsided. It was like I had some kind of subconscious death wish.
Gaining my senses a little bit I realized a way to outsmart the zombie. I should be able to outsmart it; after all, I was the one still alive.
I went around one more time and stopped when I got to the back door on the passenger side. I unhitched the door but didn’t open it all the way. When the zombie got close enough I opened the door quick.
The zombie had no sense or reflexes really and ran right into the door as I had hoped she would. She fell backwards and thumped hard on the ground. Her growls became louder and more annoyed. I knew I didn’t have long before she managed to roll over and either crawl or stand and walk after me.
I grabbed the gun and clip off the seat. I put the clip into the gun quickly. When I took my head out of the back of the car, there was no growling. The zombie was making no noise at all. I looked up and saw the reason why.
A woman with black as night hair, almost black eyes, and beautiful dark skin was standing about 6 feet away from me by the head of the zombie. She had put a spear through the zombies head.
“You looked like you could’ve used some help,” she said as she took the spear out of the zombies head.
“A bit yeah,” I said back.
“Phoebe,” she said and outstretched her hand.
I took her hand and shook it, “Shelly.”
“Are you all alone?”
“Yeah, I was headed to the navy base when my car broke down. I was going to try to make it on foot.”
“Well, my group is headed to a beach over that way. Would you want to join us?”
I was surprised by her offer and a little scared to take her up on it. After all, I didn’t know these people; they could be cannibals or something crazy like that. On the other hand if I stayed on my own, I’d probably end up as zombie food. I figured I’d take my chances on the people who weren’t guaranteed to want to eat me.
“If you think it wouldn’t be a problem?”
“No problem at all, the more the merrier.”
I put the gun in my holster and grabbed my things. I followed behind Phoebe as she led the way to where her group had set up camp. She explained that her boyfriend and a few friends had decided it might be best to go to the other end of the island to this beach where there were caves to help keep them safe. She said she had needed a few minutes to herself and that’s why she was away from her group, out on the road.
I heard the laughter of a man as we approached the camp. It was maybe ten feet off the main road hidden well in the jungle area.
As we approached the camp, one of the guys asked, “Find anything good?”
“Just this,” Phoebe replied pointing to me. “This is Shelly. She’s on her way to the Navy base and her car broke down so I thought she could join us.”
“Cool, someone who’s alive.” Said a dark skinned man. He was positively gorgeous with smooth black hair and light brown eyes that had flakes of green in them. “I’m Robert,” he said and shook my hand.
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
“Daniel,” said the guy who had spoken first. He was more rugged than the others. He was tanned from spending a lot of time in the sun. He had messy brown hair, a short but unkempt beard and big muscles. He was definitely one to have in the group; he could knock a zombie out easily. Also, I was strongly attracted to him. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt such strong lust for a man on first sight. It was a nice distraction from the pain of my broken heart like a celebrity or teen crush.
The other guy in the group didn’t say anything. He just continued to eat his food.
The girl next to him, who was a tiny wisp of a thing with long brown hair and a friendly face smiled and said, “I’m Jamie, this is Freddie.” She nudged the gloomy man next to her.
He still said nothing. I got the impression he was not happy with my presence. I didn’t really care.
“Have some breakfast, Robert wasted some of the eggs and made too much,” Phoebe said.
“Habit,” Robert said. “Besides the Lord told me we’d have another one arriving.”
“Did he now? Is that why you made enough for about 5 more people?”
“Well he didn’t say how hungry she would be,” he said.
I laughed and took the plate he had made
me as he spoke.
“We don’t have time to wait for her to eat,” Freddie said matter of factly.
I felt my patience snap in two. After everything I’d been through in less than 24 hours, I was not about to put up with this asshole.
“I’m sure I’ll be finished by the time you take down the tents and get all your things packed. Plus it seems you need some extra time to remove that stick that’s lodged up your ass.”
Everyone but Freddie laughed. He glared at Jamie and she immediately stopped laughing. I was tempted to take the .45 and shoot him.
“I like her,” Phoebe said.
“No one talks to me like that,” Freddie said ignoring Phoebes comment.
“Come on Freddie, you’re being a jerk” said Robert. Phoebe and Daniel nodded in agreement.
“I don’t want this bitch in our group,” he snapped.
“You seem to be the only one who feels that way,” Daniel said. “She has her own gun; I think she could prove to be useful.”
“I don’t want her here!”
“Nobody asked what you wanted.” Daniel replied.
Phoebe smiled, “Sounds like it’s settled to me.”
Chapter 8
Freddie didn’t respond to Phoebe. Instead he just sulked and fussed at Jamie, who I realized now was his girlfriend, about their tent. After fussing at her he began to help Daniel with getting things put away.
I sat down and began to eat the eggs that Robert had made. Robert was next to me, cleaning up the remaining remnants of their meal.
The eggs were delicious. I told Robert that I thought so.
“Thanks,” he said. “I used to be a chef.”
“You still are obviously,” I said.
He smiled big, “thank you. I guess it does take some skill to make something good on just a fire in the ground and not a stove.”
“Yeah and you did a great job. I’m a right awful cook so this is quite a treat. Where’d you get the eggs?”
“There were some wild chickens a few yards back and there were a bunch of eggs. I grabbed some as we walked up. Figured it be a nice breakfast. Nice to feel normal for a moment before the chaos of the day starts.”
“Yeah, true. It’s just too bad there’s no bacon. Now that’s a complete breakfast.”
He laughed, “That’s true. I make the best bacon.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it. So how do you all know each other?” I asked.
“Well, Phoebe’s my girlfriend; we’ve been dating for about five years now. Daniel’s been a good friend since we were teens; he stayed here after their parents moved back to the states after being stationed here. Jamie’s his baby sister, she moved back here after graduating high school. She and Freddie have been together for a little over a year now unfortunately.”
“So, he’s always like that then? Not some effect from the stress of being attacked by the undead?”
He laughed, “No, he’s always been this way to an extent. Daniel can’t stand the guy, thinks he’s no good for his sister, which is partly the truth. But you can’t always make people see that.”
“No, you can’t,” I agreed remembering all too well how a lot of my friends thought Adam wasn’t good enough for me. Even Cate mentioned it once or twice. I never listened though, thinking my heart knew best. The logic turned out to be wrong on my part. There was no point in dwelling on it now, he was dead and I probably wouldn’t be far behind.
“So what are you doing out here?” he asked.
“I was trying to get to the Navy base. One of my friends said they would have ships taking people out. I was hoping to get to Arizona to my sister, though it is a long shot.”
“They weren’t sending out any planes?”
“They were. The one they sent crashed because one of the passengers had the virus and turned during the flight. They decided not to take the risk of sending out any more flights.”
He nodded, “are they going to continue sending out ships then?”
“I don’t know. Believe me; I know how stupid it is to be doing this.”
“Not stupid, we all got to do what we feel is right. There’s no guide map to this situation, we’re all just going along blind.”
I smiled, “yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Well, it’s good to have you along. Even if it’s just for a little while.”
Robert began to pack up all the plates and the camp cooking gear that he had out.
I worked on finishing my eggs when Jamie sat down next to me.
“Hi,” she said with a little smile. “I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Freddie. He doesn’t like things changing what he had set up in his mind. He’s very set in his ways. I’m sure he’ll warm once he gets to know you.”
“Thanks, but you don’t need to be sorry. You did nothing wrong but I appreciate your kind words.”
She smiled. “Are you good with that?” she asked pointing to the .45 in my holster.
“I’m a fair shot. Not great but I hit what I’m aiming for eighty percent of the time.”
“Cool, I can’t use a gun for shit. I’m just here for decoration anyway. That’s what Freddie always says. You’re going to make it through this,” she stated.
“Well, I’m in your group so I guess that means you’re going to make it too.”
She shook her head, “no, I don’t count on it. I just hope whatever happens to me is quick. Daniel is good at this, he’ll make it but I don’t have my hopes up too high.” She stood up then, “It’s good to have you.” She walked over to get her stuff put away.
What she said left me feeling raw in the pit of my stomach. It was sad to think someone so young had themselves marked for death. She didn’t even hope to make it. I was trying to accept that death was highly likely but I didn’t want to just give into it either. She actually had something to live for, while I was just alone in the dark.
I finished my food though it was hard to enjoy after talking to Jamie. I know she didn’t mean it that way. I wanted to punch Freddie for telling her she was just decoration. I got the feeling that wasn’t something new he had told her. He wanted her to feel useless so she wouldn’t think she could take care of herself. And if you hear something often enough, you tend to believe it after a while.
After I finished, I helped Robert get stuff put away. I’d been there about an hour and half when everyone was ready to go.
Daniel was the leader of the group it seemed. Everyone followed him. Phoebe and Robert walked hand in hand behind him, and Jamie and Freddie were third in line though not nearly as affectionate. I took up the rear which I wasn’t comfortable with but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to complain.
After the zombie coming up behind me at the car, I was terrified of one managing to sneak up behind me again. I kept looking behind me every few seconds, checking to see if I was about to become a zombie’s lunch but nothing was ever there.
In fact, we came across nothing at the start that would be a threat. It was almost peaceful. Almost because the longer we didn’t come across something, the more concerned I got. The last twenty-four hours had kicked peaceful to the curb, so where were the undead creatures that wanted to tear us each apart and eat us as bar-b-que? Why would they shut down the base if there wasn’t an immediate threat?
My mind wouldn’t stop racing. I was losing it. Too much had happened and I was beginning to be overcome by fear. No one was really talking in the group so that made it worse. I was surrounded by silence except for the sound of my own thoughts that would not leave me be.
Chapter 9
The heat was beginning to get overbearing. It was only in the seventies but it was a tropical island and the humidity was a nightmare. I drank sips of water periodically, careful not to drink too much. I just drank enough not to be overcome by dehydration but I didn’t want to use all of it because I didn’t know how easy it would be to find more if it came down to it. It was terrible to be surrounded by water, trapped by it if I was honest, but all that w
ater couldn’t save you if you needed it.
Though it would be just as bad if not worse in the desert. Which made me think about Cate. I slipped my phone out of my pocket to see if it came back to life. It hadn’t. I had no bars available. Even if towers were somehow working again, it wouldn’t do any good. I had half my battery left. It would be gone by the end of the night and there was no way for me to charge it now that my car was also dead.
No way to contact Cate, I slipped my phone back into my pocket. I had no way of knowing if she was alright. If she had survived as long as I had. I didn’t know what was worse. I’d lost Jackie and Adam but I knew what had happened to them. I knew they were gone; I had no way of knowing about Cate. I could only imagine what fate she was met by. I prayed she was still alive but I could not know for sure.
Even if I was able to get on a ship and make it to California and then somehow be able to get a car to get to Arizona, how would I find her? There was no way she would stay home. It seemed no one had stayed home. It didn’t feel safe too. But there was maybe a slight chance she had. She could, I guess. Though I wouldn’t bank on it.
I tried to not think about it anymore so I paid more attention to my surroundings. Jamie was feeling the heat bad. She lost a bit of color in her face and looked extremely tired. Phoebe and Robert seemed to be doing alright but Phoebe was turning a very bright red color. Freddie was wasting water, drinking it and then pouring it on his face. Jamie told him to stop and he snapped at her.
The only one who seemed to be doing alright was Daniel. I got the feeling he hiked and spent much more time outdoors than the rest of us.
“Does anybody need a break?” he asked.
“Yes,” said several people at once.
We came to a halt. I sat down and was joined by Phoebe and Robert.
“How you holding up?” she asked.
“Alright, you?” I said.
Plague of the Dead (Book 1) Page 3