by Thomas Baker
Dusty slid in and checked the fuel level. "Less than a quarter of a tank left. Everybody back in. We need to make it as far away as we can instead of letting the fuel we have go to waste. Find someplace more secure for the night. We don't want to be out in the open and exposed like this, when night comes."
"Well if this isn't just turning into a shitfest," Gus said.
"Worst. Day. Ever." Ashley added.
Disheartened, they all shuffled back inside the SUV. Dusty took over driving from Alan and they continued down the road, towards whatever was waiting for them.
JT still couldn't believe they were doing this. When Dusty suggested they go back into a city to stock up and find a replacement for the SUV, JT thought he had lost his mind. Didn't most of them just fight their way out of the cities, barely surviving the first time? It sounded about as smart as walking up to a bunch of drunk assholes fighting each other and waving alcohol around, asking who would like a free drink first. You were just asking for trouble.
They stopped to get somemore gas in the leaky SUV. At the station, JT was able to get a little Honda running. They stocked up at the stop with everything from food to toilet paper. JT thought that wasplenty for a while. Like the Honda, they'd find some other car or truck along the way. Dusty didn't think that was good enough. Dusty had decided they should try the next biggest city on the map he grabbed from the rest stop. His plan was to get a couple more big vehicles, maybe even a trailer or two, stop at a grocery store, a gun store, and load them up. JT wanted to say what the hell, they could each find their own RV or tour bus and act like rock stars, but he held his tongue. He had pressed for a vote on what to do next. He had lost. Dusty was a military guy. He had combat experience. So everyone but him and Gus jumped on Dusty's plan.
JT shot angry looks at Dusty's SUV as he followed him to Jackson, Tennessee, according to the map. They were going down I-40, making good time. Occasionally they came upon a huge multi car crash, which slowed them down. Most of the time they had to go around by going off-road between the shoulder and the tall pine trees that marched off as far as he could see. The westbound lanes were way more open than the jammed eastbound lanes. Those people had the right idea, getting out of densely populated areas. We're the idiots trying to go back in.
Hannah and Ashley had been prettyquiet the past hour. For Hannah, it wasn't that unusual but for Ashley it was. Maybe they could sense the foul mood he was in.
JT started to see a zombie here or there before they even got to the exit signs for Jackson. He was amazed at how fresh some of them looked. He couldn't think of another word for it. They almost looked like normal people. He wondered why that was. Just like how come some were faster than others. Or how dead people could be walking aroundin the first place. They might look like people from a distance but they acted like animals. The zombies paused whatever they were doing as the cars approached. They would track the sounds of their passage, make a few steps towards the cars, then continue wandering around. Or worse, go back to feeding on some poor soul. It was at this point that Hannah stopped looking out the window. Instead she pulled out some trashy magazine she grabbed from the truck stop and flipped through it. The wrecks and abandoned cars, along with the zombies, began to get a little thicker now. JT could feel his heart speed up a notch and his muscles tense.
Dusty worked his way down the exit into Jackson. Gripping the wheel tight, JT followed. He saw signs for Old Hickory Mall to the left. He guessed that was where Dusty was headed. Dusty's left blinker came on.
They passed Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Dairy Queen. All empty, lights off, no one home. It was surreal. JT felt like he was on a movie set, not in a real city. The road they were on, North Highland Avenue was remarkably void of cars, as were most parking lots. The exception was Burger King, which had a bus planted in the front lobby section. Around it teemed ten or sozombies. Once again they turned as one and looked as JT passed. He could see the mall up ahead now, and it was a totallydifferent story.
Its parking lot was crammed full of cars facing in every which way, like the puzzle of a madman. Dusty circled around the mall, JT followed, and it was like that all the way around. Almost like a moat around a castle. JT followed Dusty around two more laps of the mall.
What is this guy doing? Why are so many cars ringing the building? Why aren't more zombies around the mall? He had a deep feeling in his gut that something was not right. Dusty stopped suddenly and JT nearly collided with him, he had been paying more attention to the mall.
Dusty had stepped out of the SUV. "Hey, a little more warning next time!" JT yelled out of the Honda's open window.
Dusty didn't bother replying. Instead he got out his rifle. He leaned on the hood and looked through the scope. JT got out to stand beside him. JT looked back at a sound. Hannah had gotten outas well, shading her eyes to look at the mall. JT turned back around, wanting to lay into Dusty about his bad feeling and that they should get the hell out of here. Before he could, the surrounding area transformed into a killing field.
The chatter of gunfire, some of it rapid, seemed to surround them. JT dropped to the ground behind the SUV, joining Dusty who had somehow already hit the concrete. JT half crawled, half scuttled, to the back of the SUV. Doors were opening behind him as Gus, Alan, and Tyrone bailed out. JT peeked out as far as he could dare, looking for Hannah and Ashley. They wouldn't have much protection in the Honda. He couldn't see them from his vantage point. He dared to come out a bit farther, then darted back as the ground around him puffed specks of grey dust. Some flew into and stung his eyes.That was too close.
As he wiped at his eyes, JT had a vision of both girls bleeding out on the mall parking lot. He turned back around, shoving his way past Gus and the rest, who were sitting down, arms over their heads. The gunfire was still coming sporadically. Dusty squatted at the front of the SUV. To JT he looked to be in a daze.
"Dusty, goddamn it. You led us into this ambush!" JT yelled over the gunfire. "How're you going to get us out of here!"
He gave Dusty a push, knocking him on his butt. Dusty looked up at him, glaring with a white hot fury. JT glared back, daring him with his eyes to try something. Dusty's chest puffed up then deflated. He put down his rifle and waved his hands over the hood of the car far enough to be visible. The firing stopped.
"Get out of here, this place is ours," a voice called out, echoing through the concrete. "We have people circling around behind you. Leave or you will be shot."
Dusty stood up, hands above his head.
"Alright, alright!" he yelled back to their unseen assailants. "Let us get back into our vehicles, and we will be off."
JT crouched, listening to the subdued rumblings of the SUV's engine, feeling its heat. It seemed like their attacker's reply was taking forever. He looked over at Gus. Gus looked back, shaking his head slowly. We stepped into the horse shit he mouthed.
The mall people answered. "You have two minutes. Try anything cute and you're dead."
Dusty waved his hands back and forth over his head again and then lowered them.
"Everyone back in now!"
JT sprinted over to the Honda. He looked inside and found Hannah laying on the front floorboard and Ashley lying on the back. They looked up at him in terror. JT jumped in, trying not to explode.
"You gals okay?" JT asked, throwing the car into drive. If Dusty didn't go in five seconds, JT was driving around him.
The SUV started rolling. Hannah sat up and rubbed at her arm. JT glanced over and could see an angry red welt up by the shoulder, right below the sleeve of her shirt.
"It burns," she said, when she caught JT looking. "I think a bullet grazed me."
JT turned his attention to following Dusty, his grip feeling like it could break the steering wheel in half. Which is what he wanted to do to Dusty's face right about now. They headed back up the road to the Interstate. The zombie pack he saw earlier at Burger King was walking in the direction of the mall now. All the noise probably attracted them.
"Wow, I can see light through the holes in the door back here," Ashley's voice was higher and squeakier than normal.
JT looked straight ahead, feeling as if red hot lava was building in his gut. His hands began to feel numb from the pressure he was putting on the wheel. I'm surprised the cars even work after that. How didn't they hit the engines?
It was like thinking about it made it happen. At least that's what JT thought as he saw a plume of smoke erupt from the SUV in front of him. Damn, I should have knocked on wood. Dusty pulled it over on the side of the highway.
JT sat watching, still holding tight to the wheel, as Dusty and the rest got out. Dusty was lost in the white smoke as he went around to the front of the vehicle. JT slammed the shifter into park, slammed the door shut behind him, and walked with purpose towards Dusty. Dusty emerged from the smoke, which was now turning a dull grey.
"They must have hit..."
JT didn't give him a chance to finish that sentence. He decked Dusty, hard, sending him sprawling into the pebbled concrete of the shoulder. JT wasn't aware of anyone or anything else, except Dusty and his rage.
"You could have got us killed asshole!" JT shouted, his tirade just beginning. "Hannah almost got a bullet in her. For what? For what?! Supplies we didn't really need right now? With the SUV broken down, now we can't even carry the supplies we have. Look around you."
He was about to start kicking when hands grabbed him on either side, pulling him back. He shrugged them off easily. Dusty looked up at him, blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth. JT turned to see the disappointed faces of Hannah and Gus. He felt the anger deflate from him like air from a balloon. He looked back at Dusty.
"You're not even worth it," he said, dismissing Dusty with a wave of his hand.
JT stomped off back to the Honda. It had stopped running while he was gone. The hood had at least twelve bullet holes in it. Every attempt to get it started again failed. JT didn't know how much more he could take. He got out and wished he had his baseball bat. He wanted to go to town on the car with the bat, let off some steam of his own. Instead, he sat down, back to the front door, the hot pavement baking his ass.
He didn't know how much later it was when Gus stepped up beside him.
"Feel better son?"
"I'd feel better in some air conditioning, with a cold beer in my hand."
"You and me both fella," Gus held out a hand. JT took it, getting up into a standing position. "That was one helluva punch. Knocking a military man down so easy, I'm never going to piss you off."
"I've had some practice," JT said noncommittal, ready to move on. "You ready to go Gus?"
"Go?" Gus was puzzled. "We've spent the time you were cooling off walking around. Except for Dusty. He seems to be nursing his wounded ego. Haven't found another working car yet."
"How about you and Tyrone join us? The five of us can find a new car."
Gus eyeballed him for a moment. "You really going to leave Dusty behind? Everyone makes mistakes. What about Alan? He ain't did nothing."
"What Gus? What do you want from me? Give up most of our perfectly good supplies to start walking with Captain calamity here? That city shit was his idea!"
"Sticking together is our best chance of staying alive. You're not a dumb fella, you gotta know that."
JT didn't want to admit it, but Gus was right. The more people, the better the odds. Dusty did know how to fight tactically, better than any of them. He had the training.
"What now then?" JT said, not coming right out and saying he agreeded with Gus. "We pack what we can carry on our backs and go?"
"Looks to be our only choice for now. Could be we go up a couple of miles, find a van or something, then come back and pick up our stuff."
"That your idea, or dust piles?" JT asked. He knew he was being an ass now, but didn't care.
"Mostly mine. You reallyembarrassed Dusty. He ain't said two words since you clocked him."
"That's fine with me. That guy and his bright ideas."
JT took a deep breath and walked to the back of the SUV. "Gus, gather everyone else up. Let's take the most important stuff. Come back for the rest."
Soon they all had a pack on their back or a duffel bag slung over their shoulder. They walked in a line along the interstate, JT in the front and Dusty in the rear. The midday sun beat down on them as the marched along, never to see the SUV or Honda again.
Many hours after the sun set, the group sputtered to a stop. They had marched all day to the middle of nowhere. Alan didn't mind, his sore muscles and the act of willing himself on kept him distracted. Earlier Dusty tried to convince everyone to stop and find shelter inside for the night. That didn't happen. Alan didn't mind either. He always liked the outdoors, he would enjoy camping out for the night.
"Look. I know you're all tired, scared or worried but we have to pull ourselves together," Dusty said as everyone just stood in a loose circle. "I say we make camp here tonight. I see no reason for us to keep stumbling around in the dark. Let's get off the road and make the best we can of this situation."
"I actuallyagree with you this time man," JT chimed in.
"Well how about that, the two Silver Backs have called a temporary truce," Gus said.
JT smirked at Gus giving him a sarcastic thumbs up.
"I hope this doesn't become a pattern," Ashley whined, moving slowly up to her feet.
"Ashley, camping isn't so bad. Your parents never took you camping when you were little?" Alan asked.
"Uh no. The outdoors is gross," Ashley said.
Everyone laughed a little, relieving some of the tension.
"I'll get you set up. I have a little experience at camping. Maybe I can make it a little less gross," Alan chuckled.
They traveled off the road and into a densely forested area. Alan took one last look at the road.I need to stop looking back so much. There is nothing behind me now.
Settling his pack, he marched along in line. It wasn't long before they came across a decent sized clearing. All the plants and trees were in full bloom. Filtered sunlight shined through the towering branches overhead.
"Hey Dusty," Alan hollered, "This would make a good place to make camp. Just pick up some of these fallen branches, and it's about perfect."
"Glad to hear that Al. I'm too old to be carrying this much shit," Gus said, tossing the tents off his back. He looked at Hannah and Ashley and they both looked at a complete loss as towhat they were supposed to do.
As Alan watched them, his memory began to drift..."Dad! Chloe is messing up our tent! She won't help me lay it out like we're supposed to!" Lauren yelled, frustrated.
"Well we have to teach her like I taught you sweetie." Alan tried to sooth his daughter.
"She's too little to come camping anyway," Lauren pouted.
Alan smiled at her as he remembered the first time he set up a camp in their backyard for her birthday sleepover. She was seven. Hard to believe how that happened so fast.
He had always loved the outdoors and wanted to share that passion with his kids. He was a Scout leader before Lauren was born but between working and trying to be a more connected father, he had given it up. He so wished his baby boy, Alan Jr., would want to do Scouts. They would do it together, father and son.
Daddy. Daddy. Daddy...Where are you?
"...Alan......Hey Alan are you OK? " Hannah looked worried. She snapped him out of his daze.
"Huh? Um yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry did you ask me something Honey?...Sorry Hannah." Alan tried smiling. It was happening again. He didn't want to freak these people out. He was just thinking he wanted to be with peopleafter all. It could help. He didn't want to be rejected now.
Hannah looked at the others. Alan could tell they were all silently passing judgment on his odd behavior. He felt the back of his neck getting warm.
"Al, you OK partner?" Gus asked patting him on the back.
"Yeah, um yeah, sorry. Lost in thought. Memories, day dreaming. Anyway, I'll get to setting this stuff up. I
promised Ashley."
Alan smiled again, a little more genuine this time.
"Now, now," Gus said, "we can all help. Besides, the more we teach these young folks now the better things can be for all of us. Until you started talking about it, I didn't take you for the camping type there Alan. Owned a surplus store myself. I have experience with all sorts of outdoor gear. Fishing, hunting, camping. I've done it all. I'm good at pitching a tent, you believe me." Gus snickered at himself.
"I used to be a Scout Master," Alan started hesitantly. " I'll take the outdoors over being inside any day. I was thinking about my daughters when... well never mind it doesn't matter. Let's get this stuff set up."
He had thought about opening up, but he knew he wasn't ready to talk about his family. Not yet. Gus was a nice enough guy, but he was still a stranger. They all were. He stuffed all his thoughts of the past down again and got to work clearing out the branches. He used some to make a campfire. Packs were unloaded, food passed around. Everyone sat and ate in dejected silence.
Gus, Alan and Dusty took the lead as they set up their tents. Alan ignored the whines of Ashley as he took the inexperienced ones step-by-step through how to set up camp.
Exhausted, Alan was grateful to slip inside his sleeping bag. He hoped tonight, like every night, that dream wouldn't come again. Which was always a futile wish.
The night passed uneventful. There was an unspoken group consensus thatthey would stay and rest for the day.
The humidity started to build, making things uncomfortable as the afternoon wore on. Some sprinkles even made it through the trees, bouncing off of the newly erected tents. Ashley and Tyrone even joked and acted like they were taking a shower in the few drops that were falling.
Alan was inside his tent, trying to take a nap. He couldn't remember the last time he had a restful sleep. Excited chatter from outside caught his attention. Sighing, he emerged from his tent and walked up beside JT, who was looking to the sky then to the makeshift camp.
"That doesn't look too hot," JT stated.