by Bale, Sarah
“He’s going to ask Amos to move in with him.”
I smiled. “I’m sure he’ll like that.”
The watchtowers had also come in handy over the last few weeks. We were able to pick up radio signals being that high in the air and could keep in contact with Marshall.
Andrews came up to me in the evening with a frown on his face.
“Picked up some chatter on the radio. Sounds like there’s a group nearby.”
I asked, “Did you hear anything alarming?”
“No. They’re looking for someone. Sounded like a member went scouting and hasn’t come back.”
We weren’t sure how far the radios could pick up. Could be ten miles. Could be fifty.
“Did you send anyone to check it out?”
He nodded. “We searched our perimeter. Didn’t see anything out of place. Killed a few biters.”
“Keep me updated.”
He’d walked away when Grey came over with something in his hand.
“Found a persimmon tree while I was scouting for tractor parts.”
In his palm was a seed that had been cut in half. The image on the seed looked like a knife or spoon.
He said, “Looks like we’re going to have a cold, wet winter.”
We’d already had two more snowfalls since the first, so this wasn’t too surprising.
I replied, “As long as there aren’t any blizzards I think we’ll be fine.”
“Hope not.”
He left my side and sought out Kat and baby Hilly.
I slipped from the cafeteria into the hallway. Daisy came around the corner, smiling.
“What’s that look for?”
“I’m just happy. One of the men shot a wild turkey. Cooper wants to have a Christmas dinner this week.”
I laughed. “I don’t think it’s December yet.”
Since we’d lost our notebook keeping track of the days, we couldn’t be sure. One of Marshall’s men thought it was the end of November, though.
“Maybe Thanksgiving then.” She hugged me. “We have a lot to be thankful for.”
I sighed.
“I still feel like there’s more we should be doing,” I confessed.
Daisy said, “Just look at everything we’ve done here. Elijah, it’s all because of you.”
“No. It’s because of all of us. That’s something I won’t forget again.”
“I know you won’t.” She kissed me. “But you’re the one who inspired people to want to build something.”
I knew that wasn’t the case. People would find a way to survive. They just needed someone who could take charge. I’d learned the hard way that a person on top could easily be knocked down. But, I would do my best to lead these people for as long as they would have me.
Grey came from the cafeteria, a frown on his face.
“Ready to take a look at the tractor?”
He shook his head, glancing at Daisy.
She asked, “Is everything okay with Kat and the baby?”
“They’re fine. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He met my gaze. “There’s some visitors at the gate. Look rough. They’re asking for you.”
Was it the people Andrews heard on the radio?
“Did you get their names?”
“Nope. Leader seems like the type not to leave until he gets what he wants.”
Whispers of doubt crossed my mind. Who in the fuck would come to the gate asking to talk to me?
Daisy must have been thinking the same thing because she said, “You don’t have to go out there. Grey can send them away.”
“No. That’s not how we’re going to do things around here. If someone wants to talk, then I’ll talk to them.”
Her eyes flashed. “You’re being thoughtless about this.”
I’m sure there was more that she wanted to say, but didn’t.
“Daisy, I know you don’t like it, but I have to do this. We’re trying to do things differently. For that to happen we can’t go back to our old ways. No more hiding. No more running.”
She held out her hand. “Then we do it together.”
I took her hand, bringing it to my lips.
To Grey, I said, “Bring them to the lobby. I’ll make sure everyone knows to stay in their rooms.”
Grey nodded. “Will do.” He paused. “Tell that stubborn woman of mine to stay in our room. She’s been feisty since little Hilly came.”
Daisy grinned. “I’ll go talk to her.”
When she was gone I asked Grey, “Should we be worried about these guests?”
“It’s hard to say. There’s something about the leader that seems familiar, like I’ve met him before.”
“Was he one of the men who used to work here before?”
Grey shook his head. “Not that I can recollect.”
“Bring them here and let’s see what they’re here for.”
Grey nodded and left. I went to the lobby and picked up the phone, pressing the button to talk over the speaker that Hardy had fixed.
“We have unknown visitors coming inside the gates with Grey. Please return to your rooms until an all clear is called. If an all clear isn’t called, you know what to do.”
I prayed they would listen to me and not make any rash decisions, like coming to the lobby with guns drawn. Reaching behind the receptionist’s desk, I pulled out the pistol that was hidden there. I tucked it in my waistband, pulling my shirt over it.
Daisy came back, trying to hide her fear.
“I don’t like you being here.”
She butted me with her hip. “Then we’re even because I don’t like you being here, either.”
There was movement from the front yard.
“Here they come.”
Grey led the group inside. The first man was covered in dirt. He wore army fatigues and looked like he was about to collapse on his feet. The next man nodded his head at me. The third man went right to one of the chairs, sitting. His leg was wrapped, but was bleeding through the bandage. Definitely a gunshot wound.
I was surprised when a woman entered next. The first thing I noticed was the bruise across her cheek. Did one of these men hit her? Daisy shot me a look. Obviously, she was wondering the same thing. The dark-haired woman went to the man who’d been shot and squatted, looking at his leg. Another man came in and had cuts on his cheek. His eyes were full of worry.
And then the last man came in and I froze. He met my gaze, eyes widening.
“Holy fuck. I didn’t think I’d really find you here.”
Daisy reached for my hand, but I barely noticed.
I cleared my throat. “How did you-”
The man replied, “The last letter I got from-”
The man who’d been shot moaned and the female looked up.
“He’s losing too much blood. I can’t get it to stop.”
My medical instincts kicked in and I went to their side.
To Daisy I said, “Go get my bag from our room.” I turned my attention to the man. “Sir, how long has it been since you were shot?”
The woman answered, “His name is Rocco and he was shot about three hours ago.” Her hands shook as she pressed his leg. “I thought I had the material tied tight enough.”
I replied, “Rocco is going to be fine. I just need to get the bullet from his leg and stitch him up.”
She looked relieved. “Thank you.”
Daisy came back with my bag, handing it to me.
I said, “We need hot water.”
She replied, “Jo is bringing it.”
I loved that she knew to think ahead. Opening my bag, I pulled the items I would need. Grabbing scissors, I cut Rocco’s pants so I could see what I was dealing with. Blood and dirt covered his skin making it impossible to see how bad the wound was.
“Rocco, this is going to hurt.”
I poured some rubbing alcohol on it. Rocco howled in pain and the woman held onto him.
“It’s going to be okay, baby.” She said, trying to soothe him.
> He moaned, “Nikki, I feel sick.”
Daisy grabbed a waste basket and handed it to Nikki. She held it as Rocco vomited. I could tell by the contents that this group hadn’t eaten a decent meal in a while.
Jo came into the room with a bowl full of steaming water. She passed it to Daisy, who put it next to me.
“Do you need anything else?”
Daisy answered, “We’re fine.”
Jo left the room, looking relieved. Dipping the rag into the water, I gently dabbed the skin around the wound.
“Doesn’t appear to have hit the artery, but I won’t know for sure until I get the bullet.”
Daisy handed me forceps and a tourniquet. I tied the tourniquet as tight as I could. With any luck, the femoral artery hadn’t been hit. But, if it had, then I would need as much pressure on his leg as I could or he would bleed out.
I said, “Rocco, this isn’t going to feel very good, but I need you to be as still as possible.”
One of the other men asked, “Don’t you have anything you can give him?”
“Afraid not. But, it would be helpful if you could hold him down.”
This mountain of a man came over and held Rocco down. “Sorry, man.”
“No worries,” Rocco murmured.
I said, “He’s more than likely going to pass out, which will be for the best.”
The man holding Rocco down nodded. I began to dig and Rocco cried out in pain. Nikki held his hand, whispering calming words to him. Finally, I felt the bullet and pulled it out. Daisy handed me a needle that was already threaded. I smiled in thanks before sewing Rocco’s leg closed.
He surprised me by not passing out. When I was done, he reached out to shake my hand.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Name’s Elijah. This is Daisy.”
Nikki said, “I’m Nikki.”
The man who’d held Rocco down said, “I’m Harper.”
“Name’s Jeff,” the man who’d come in after Nikki said.
The youngest man said, “I’m Noah. Nice to meet you.”
“Even in the apocalypse this one still has manners,” the last man said with a grin.
I crossed the room. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, it’s a funny story.”
I snorted. “I’m sure this is going to be good.”
His eyes flashed. “You were the only one I could think of who could help.”
Daisy came to my side. “Elijah, who is this man?”
His lips twitched and he tuned to Daisy. “Name’s Dave.”
“Nice to meet you, Dave.”
I poked his shoulder. “Don’t talk to her. Tell me what you did and what mess you’ve brought with you.”
“Fuck you, man. We’ll get out of here and you can forget we even stopped by.”
Nikki went to Dave’s side, touching his arm. He immediately relaxed.
“Babe, you said he could help us.”
He sighed. “I was wrong, Nik.”
“For fuck’s sake. Tell me what’s going on, Dave.”
Dave straightened his shoulders. “We met trouble east of Tulsa. They’ve been trailing us.”
Which meant he’d led them right to our home.
“How many?”
“A lot.”
Fuck. I ran my fingers through my hair.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Dad’s last wishes were for me to find you. I was trying to honor him.”
Daisy stilled next to me. “Dad?”
Dave gave her one of his smiles that most girls couldn’t resist. “Yes, ma’am. Elijah here is my big brother.”
Daisy’s face paled, but she didn’t say anything. I had a feeling we’d be talking about this later.
He asked, “So, can you help us?”
Dave was my brother. My only brother. There was no way I could turn him away. But what about my people? Was it fair to ask them to fight for someone they didn’t know?
Nikki said, “I can tell this is a lot to process. We should leave.”
Daisy shook her head. “No, there’s plenty of room here. You’ll each have a place to sleep.”
Dave watched me, waiting for me to speak.
Finally, I said, “You can stay tonight so I can keep an eye on Rocco. In the morning I’ll talk to my people. It’s up to them whether we help you fight.”
Dave clipped his head. “Fair enough.”
Daisy led them down the hall to a room far from ours. The nagging voice in the back of my mind refused to be silent. Was I making a mistake by letting my brother stay? Would it be better to tell him to fuck off?
Daisy returned and wrapped her arms around my waist.
“Elijah, I think we need to talk.”
Nodding, I said, “You’re right.”
I prayed she would understand why I hadn’t mentioned my past – I thought they were all dead.
She asked, “Are we going to help them?”
“I meant what I said, it’s up to everyone here.”
She said, “They all went to one room, like they were scared to be separated.”
I could understand that. In this world you learned to rely on those closest to you.
“Elijah?”
Sighing, I said, “Let’s go to our room, Daisy. There’s a lot we need to talk about.”
As we passed the window looking outside, she said, “It’s snowing again. Looks like it’s sticking, too.”
“It’s a good thing I have you to cuddle, then.”
She grinned, tugging my hand into our room.
I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. Tonight, I would make love to Daisy, the love of my life. I would go to sleep for the first time since the outbreak began knowing that my brother was alive. And I would pray that this wasn’t the end of the peace we’d found by coming back to Oklahoma.
Because, as I’d learned, anything went in this New World.
The End.
Want to see how Nikki met Dave and his group? Enjoy a sneak peek of Nikki’s Guide to Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse:
When the apocalypse began the world went to shit. My perfect life crumbled into a million pieces and I was literally left at the altar while my groom joined the Dead. That was the first time I saw HIM. He burst through the double doors, guns blazing, and shot my sweet fiancé right between the eyes. I hated him right away.
Things haven’t got much better in the last two years. Seems like wherever I go HE is there, like dog crap on the bottom of my shoe. Sure, he’s saved my ass a time or two, but that doesn’t mean I like it. When a new group moves into town, ready to take charge, I have to lean on the last person in the world I want to.
He’s arrogant.
He’s a dick.
He’s egotistical.
He’s kind of sexy.
He’s Doomsday Dave.
And now I have to deal with him and his annoying squad.
Chapter One
I didn’t cry when I tried on my wedding dress. Really, that should’ve been a hint that my upcoming nuptials were doomed. You see it all the time on those wedding dress TV shows. The bride puts on her dress and sobs. You sob watching the show. Yeah… that’s so not what happened.
I walked out of a fitting room that smelled like moth balls.
“How much is that one?” My soon-to-be-mother-in-law snapped to the associate.
She spouted off a number, which made me cringe. I’d had underwear that cost more, but since my fiancé was buying my dress I couldn’t complain. In retrospect I should have.
“Go take the dress off so we can leave. I’m not going to spend the entire day here.”
I’d only tried on two other dresses. But, I did as she commanded. Mostly because she scared the shit out of me. As I changed, I let my mind wander. I had high hopes that Steve and I would move far, far, far away from her after the wedding.
Yeah. Didn’t happen.
Blinking, I take in my current surroundings. The street is empty, lined with stalled cars. I
know this because if they were drivable they would be gone. Tall buildings loom on each side of the street casting shadows, but there’s not a soul in sight. My boots crunch on broken glass as I walk. I’m not worried about being quiet. There haven’t been biters in this area, well not since we cleared them out.
Ahead, five very muscular men walk with their guns out. I glare at the back of the leader’s head. He must sense it, because he glances over his shoulder and smiles at me. In another life that smile would’ve made my knees weak. Now it only reminds me that no matter what I do I can’t get away from this man.
Believe me. I’ve fucking tried. He just ends up chasing me, bringing me back to the group. Says he has to keep me safe. I hate that I kind of like it.
Doomsday Dave says, “Everyone hold up. Nikki is dragging.”
The again is unspoken, but rings loud to my ears.
I grit my teeth. “I’m not dragging. I’m only a few steps behind Jeff.”
Jeff frowns and I feel bad for calling him out. He’s moving slower than normal after our last run-in with a hoard. He got tripped up in barbed wire and it messed his leg up pretty bad.
I shake my head. “Keep going.”
Dave replies, “No can do. Everyone, ten-minute break.”
The guys do the same thing they’ve done for the last two years when a break is called. They get away from me as fast as they possibly can. I was insulted at first. Now, it’s welcomed.
I find a curb that’s not too dirty and sit. Before the outbreak, I would’ve gotten on my phone to check social media or texted Steve. I legit had withdrawals from social media for a while. It sucked going from checking my phone all the time to not having any form of communication. Let that sink in. No way to communicate. With anyone. Ever.
Well, Doomsday Dave has a handheld radio, Army issued, I’m sure, but I’ll never get my hands on it. It stays in his backpack. So, yeah… basically nothing.
Now all I can do is watch the men as they scope their surroundings and talk to each other. All of them except for Doomsday Dave, of course. He makes his way to me. I wonder if it’s his personal mission to make my life a living hell. If so, he’s doing a good job.
“If you need to stop, just say so. You’ll only slow us down more if you get too tired.”