by Frost, Scott
I started to lower my rifle, but then changed my mind. I raised it and kept it pointed at the opening between the door and the car.
“Show me your hands and I will lower my rifle. Are you alone?”
“Okay. Yes, I’m alone.” He said.
He raised his hands and stepped out of the car. His hands came into view and then his arms and then his face. He was a thin man, possibly in his forties, buzz hair cut. He was pale and looked like he hadn’t bathed in months. He stepped in front of the car, hands above his head, as though I was the cop. The thought almost made me laugh, but I fought the urge and kept a straight face.
“Okay, my hands are up. Aren’t you going to lower your gun?” He said, keeping an eye on my rifle.
“Not yet. Sorry. I want you to walk over to the tree line and stand there while I make sure no one else is in the car.”
“Listen mister I don’t want any trouble. Why don’t I just leave and....”
I cut him off. My attempt to make sure he knew I was in charge and not him.
“I don’t think so. You know where I am now. If you do want trouble it won’t be hard for you to find it. You might come back later tonight with more people. I need to be careful.”
Yes, that is what has kept me alive. And as I stood there watching him watch me, I realized that I couldn’t let him leave. If he did belong to a group of crazies and he told them that he found someone, they would come, and that would be it for us. They would certainty kill me, rape Katie, and most likely even Emma. The thought repulsed me and sent shivers down my body. I raised the gun and took aim at his head. My finger itched to squeeze the trigger. But I couldn’t do it.
“Okay. Okay. But I’m being honest. I’m alone and have been alone. You don’t need to look in the car. It’s just me.”
I clicked the safety off.
“Let’s get this over with. The quicker you walk over there, the quicker I can check the car. I don’t want any trouble, but I need to make sure you’re alone.”
He looked me straight in the eyes. And when he realized that I wasn’t going to change my mind he walked toward the trees. I watched him walk toward the trees as I walked to the driver side door.
Except for empty water bottles and empty cans of foods and other trash the car was empty. As I turned my head and looked into the back seat at a pile of books I heard footsteps. I quickly looked up and out the passenger window he was gone.
As I backed away from the front seat the driver door slammed into me. It hit my back and legs. The impact sent a terrible pain throughout my body. I screamed in agony. The door opened and slammed into my body several times. Finally the door opened and I fell to the ground. The rifle fell from my hands.
I didn’t pass out, but think I was close. I opened my eyes and looked up and into his face. He was hovering above me, leaning down and smiling.
“You should have let me leave when you had the chance. Now look what you made me do you stupid mother fucker. Now it’s your turn to answer a question. Are you alone?”
He repeated the question three more times. I didn’t answer. His smile quickly faded and was replaced with a look of fury. He raised his foot and slammed it into my stomach and head over and over. I coughed up blood.
“I’m going to take everything you have. But don’t worry I’m not going to kill you. I’m just going to break both of your legs and leave you here. I’m sure the infected will be around eventually. I’ll let them finish you. Tell me have you even seen the way the feed on flesh? It’s quite a sight.”
After he finished talking he walked toward the back of the car. I heard the trunk open and the sound of stuff being moved around. I knew what he was looking for, something to use to break my legs. I tried to move, but the pain was too much. I looked for my rifle, but didn’t see it. I heard footsteps and prepared myself for the worse.
In the brief moment that he was looking for something in the trunk, I closed my eyes and had a flashback. I thought mainly of Emma. Flashbacks of her first smile, her first steps, and the first time she said, ‘I love you daddy’, comforted me. I thought about Natasha and our wedding day. She looked perfect in her white gown. I thought about my family, both before the outbreak and after. And I thought about Katie. I remembered the first time we made love, and the look in her eyes the first time I told her that I loved her.”
And then my memories were silenced by a gunshot. I waited for the pain to set in, but it didn’t. I opened my eyes, but didn’t see him. I looked at my body and didn’t see any blood. I heard footsteps and my body tensed.
“Alex, are you okay?” Katie yelled. Her voice floated toward me, angelically, and beautifully. She came to my side. She stood next to me. Our eyes met and tears began to fall onto her cheeks.
“It’s okay. It’s not as bad as it looks. Is he dead?” I asked, as I tried to hide the pain.
“Yes he is dead. Let’s get you up.” She said as she lowered her arms around me and helped me stand up. I yelled in pain as I leaned against her. I was facing the house when she helped me up, so I turned around to see his body. His body was behind the car. I didn’t see his whole body, but I saw enough. And I saw the blood. He was dead.
I tried to walk, but even with Katie’s help, I couldn’t. The pain was too much.
“Where does it hurt?” She asked.
“Everywhere, but mainly my legs and my head. He slammed the door on me several times. I’ll be okay it just hurts too much to walk right now. Why don’t we get in the car and drive it up to the house. We can’t leave it here anyway. We need to park it out sight in case he isn’t alone. Let’s put his body in the trunk. We can bury it tomorrow.”
“Okay. Let’s get you in the car. I can get his body in the trunk. You’re in no shape to help.”
She said in her firm voice. A voice that I had come to recognize. I didn’t bother disagreeing with her. After all she was right. I wouldn’t be able to help; I could barely walk even with her supporting me. She helped me get into the car. I sat in the passenger seat, sweat poured off my face and my body ached. I closed my eyes and the world drifted away. I didn’t hear Katie move his body into the trunk. I didn’t hear her get into the car and drive us behind the cabin. I don’t remember walking into the cabin and getting in bed. I don’t remember anything. All I remember is closing my eyes and darkness. I woke up later that evening. I was in my bed. I had a pair of boxers on and several bandages. I couldn’t see the bandages, but I could feel them. I pushed my hands into the mattress and tried to lift my upper body, but couldn’t. Pain shot through my body. My head hurt and my lips were dry.
“Sweetie, don’t move,” Katie’s voice came out of nowhere. I looked around the room but didn’t see her. It was dark in the room and my eyes hadn’t adjusted. I rubbed my eyes with my hands and looked toward the doorway.
“I’m over here,” She said.
I looked toward the closet and there she was. She was sitting on a rocking chair that was usually in the living room. Emma was asleep in her lap. She rocked the chair, slowly, and ran her fingers through Emma’s hair.
“What happened?” I asked.
“You passed out. I drove the car behind the house and got you inside. I tried to bandage you the best I could. How do you feel?”
“How did you get me in here?”
She laughed.
“Well, it wasn’t easy. It took me nearly an hour to drag you into the house. Emma helped. She was scared, but she helped. I told her that you hit your head. How do you feel?”
“I feel better, but sore. I could use some aspirin. Do we have any left?” I asked, hoping that we did.
“Actually I found a small first aid kit in the cop car. And I found three bottles of vodka, several bottles of waters and one can of beans. Oh and I also found two packs of Marlboro Light’s.” She said, barely able to keep her excitement.
“Are you serious?” I asked, as though I was a kid who was just told that he was going to Disney World. I didn’t believe her.
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��Yes. I thought you’d be happy. But before you have a smoke let’s get some aspirin in you. And you should have something to eat.”
“Aspirin sounds very good. But I’m not that hungry. I’ll eat later.” I replied, quickly. The only thought on my mind was lighting the first cigarette and the feeling of the first drag.
“Okay.”
She slowly stood up and walked over toward the bed and placed Emma next to me. Emma turned to her side and put her arm around me. I lowered my head and kissed the top of her head. She opened her eyes and looked up at me.
“Daddy, are you okay? I was so scarred. I helped get you inside. You’re heavy.” Her eyes closed before she finished.
“I’m okay sweetie just a little sore. Thanks for helping get me inside. And what do you mean I’m heavy? Are you trying to say I’m fat like Santa?”
She didn’t look up at me. She wrapped her arm around tighter and laughed.
“Yeah just like Santa. You’re funny. I’m glad that you’re okay daddy.” She said as she drifted asleep.
“Goodnight sweetie. I love you. Sweet dreams.”
Katie came back with four aspirin and a bottle of water. I downed the aspirin and drank half the bottle. She carefully lifted Emma into her arms and brought her into the other bedroom. She stayed with Emma for a while. I heard her signing, helping Emma fell back asleep. I listened to her voice and closed my eyes and the pain didn’t seem as bad. I love Katie’s voice. It’s angelic. Katie’s voice filled the cabin. She is my angel. She is Emma’s angel. I didn’t hear Katie come back in the bedroom and sit down on the bed.
“Are you sleeping?” She asked as she grabbed my hand. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at her. She looked so beautiful. The moonlight hit her body perfectly, illuminating her, in a way that I had never seen before.
She was next to me, holding my hand. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail. She was wearing a purple tank top and a pair of jogging pants. She had black rings under her eyes and a bruise on her arm and still looked beautiful. I think that is when you know you’re in love. Appearance doesn’t matter. When you love someone it doesn’t matter, they are always beautiful. And each new day they surprise you with a new way of looking beautiful.
“I’m awake. I’m sorry I blacked out and you had to take care of everything.”
“It’s okay. I’m just glad that you’re okay. I can’t believe what happened. I guess we can’t trust anyone. I was so scared. I stood on the front porch and waited. After a few minutes and you didn’t come back, I decided to go after you. When I came around the first bend in the driveway, I saw the car. And I saw you. I thought you were dead. You were just lying on the ground. I didn’t see him right away. And then I saw his head when he closed the trunk. I was shaking so badly that I didn’t think I would hit him, but I did. I couldn’t believe it.”
“You’ve saved my life twice. You must be my guardian angel.” I squeezed her hand, which sent a sharp pain through my body. “I love you.”
“I love you so much. Don’t move sweetie, I know you’re in pain.” She said and then she stood up and reached for something on the nightstand. She turned back toward me and held a pack of Marlboro Lights and a book of matches in her hand.
“Here you go sweetie. Enjoy.” She said, with a big smile. She pulled a cigarette out of the pack, lit it, and placed it in between my lips. I took a deep drag, enjoying the sensation. I let the smoke linger in my mouth and slowly exhaled it out of my nose. Katie pulled the cigarette out of my mouth and tapped the ashes into a coffee mug.
I watched the smoke float above my head and watched it until it disappeared into the darkness of the ceiling. I fought back a cough and a feeling of light headedness and still I yearned for another drag.
Katie held the cigarette in front of her, the smoke floated around her and then she placed it between her lips and took a drag.
“I didn’t know you smoke.” I said, surprised.
“I don’t. I wanted to try it. I don’t see what the big deal is. It tastes like shit.” She placed the cigarette in between my lips and I took another drag. I inhaled too quickly and coughed. The cough shook my body which sent a shiver of pain throughout my body.
“Doesn’t sound like smoking is agreeing with you right now. Let’s put this out. You need to get some rest.”
Before I could reply she dropped the cigarette into the coffee mug. I wanted to scream, but I didn’t say anything. I smiled at her and she bent down and kissed me on the lips.
“I’m going to check on Emma and then I’ll be back. I’ll check the windows and door before I go to sleep. And I’m going to sleep on the couch tonight. I’m worried that the guy might not be alone and someone might be trying to find him. You get some rest. I love you so much. I was so worried that you were dead.”
Her voice trailed off. She put her hands to her face and tried to conceal her tears.
“I’m sorry you thought that. It’s okay. I had you to save me. I love you so much. Look’s like we’re going to have to be more careful. It doesn’t look like we can trust anyone. But at least we have more supplies. And most importantly I have smokes.” I said, placing the emphasis on the smokes.
She laughed, and gave me another kiss. I watched her walk out of the bedroom. I listened to her as she checked on Emma and then walked into the living room.
“The windows and door are secure.” She said, standing in the doorway.
“Thanks. If you can’t sleep wake me up and I’ll keep you company.” I said
“Okay. Goodnight. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Chapter Twenty One
I look at the world differently these days. It’s been too long since I’ve seen a commercial or ordered an Alterra coffee, house blend, with room for cream.
I miss small things like that. Before the world turned into a land of death, I took small things for granted. I still can’t believe I won’t read another Brian Keene novel or Stephen King novel, or hear a new song from Incubus. I only got to see the first episode of Chuck. It would’ve been a good show. What’s not to like. A Computer Nerd holding the nations secrets in his head, along with a super hot agent girl posing as his girlfriend. I’m sure Chuck died along with the rest of the world. But, I think Brian Keene is hiding out, writing and watching as his stories come to life. And I’m sure Stephen King is someplace in Maine, laughing. I’m not sure why I think he is laughing. I just do.
We haven’t seen another living person in a long time. I suppose there could be more survivors hiding in cabins across the world. But it doesn’t seem likely. Nor does it matter. The world is no more. The world is a playground, the uninfected hiding and infected seeking. We constantly hide and wait to be found. It’s been over six months since the last infected found us. He was a lone walker, walking aimlessly, perhaps walking from memory, until he was close enough to smell us and then his hunger took over. I was sitting on the front porch watching Katie push Emma on our make shift swing, an old tire hung from a tall oak tree.
Emma saw the infected first. She looked at me, very casually, and warned me.
“Daddy, look,” she said, pointing toward the driveway. She wasn’t scared, which scared me.
This new life doesn’t faze her anymore. I stood up and raised my rifle. I took aim and squeezed the trigger. The bullet landed where I knew it would, in the middle of his forehead. The infected made no sound. His body dropped and then he was no more. I waited until the next day to move his body. I tossed him in the backyard on top of a pile of branches and set the pile on fire. I watched him burn to a crisp, the smell didn’t bother me. In truth, the smell of death is just like any other smell. It’s amazing what you learn to deal with.
I still miss Natasha, though, not as much. I see her in my dreams, but she’s not the same. She isn’t infected, but still not the same girl I had fallen in love with. I have forgiven myself for not trying to find her, after all, I promised her that I would stay with Emma and keep her safe and happy. And I have kept
Emma safe and I would like to believe she has had more happy days than sad days. Katie is to be thanked for that.
Katie is a topic all her own.
I won’t say that she replaced my wife, but in a way, she has. I can’t explain it. Perhaps, the need to feel alive and wanted, to be able to express feelings of love, and lust, is how Katie and I started. Not that we really had a true start. I didn’t ask to be my girlfriend or anything like that. It just happened one night and it continued. We make each other laugh. We give each other comfort. But most importantly she is good to Emma. They need each other, as much as Katie and I need each other.
I love her, but in a different way then I love Natasha. The world changed my view on love. With Natasha my love was simple and romantic. Simple in the fact that I knew she would be there the next day. I loved being with her, but I was okay if she had to go away for a week on business. And now with Katie, my love is complex, and, though I would like to say romantic, it’s kind of hard to be romantic these days, though I try my best.
The love we share is a forced desire to be with someone. It’s our way of feeling alive. It’s hard to explain, other than to say, I love her differently, and that is that. Who knows maybe it is even fate. The cabin has been good to us. The windows have stayed boarded. The door is intact. Our food supply is good for now. I’ve become a very good hunter and fisherman. Winter was tough on us. It depleted our spirits.
Hunting during the winter wasn’t easy and I was away from the cabin for long periods of time. Sometimes eight hours straight. I know it doesn’t sound like a longtime, after all most people use to work a standard eight hour shift, but in this world, a lot can happen in eight hours. Time is not the same as it once was. Time moves slower. Not that I know what time it is or what the date is. I started to create a new calendar, but lost interest in finishing. It doesn’t matter what the date is.
We celebrated Christmas on a day we picked. It was a beautiful winter day. A day that Christmas should always fall on. It had snowed the night before and was still lightly snowing in the morning when we woke. The snow fell in perfect snowflakes, large and soft to the touch. Katie and I agreed that that day was Christmas. We had wrapped a few presents for Emma the night before. We made hot chocolate and waited for Emma to wake up. We put the gifts in front of our Christmas tree, a small pine I had chopped down a few days prior. It was a perfect Charlie Brown Tree.