Hunting Party (Still Alive; A Lesbian Love Story in an Undead World Book 3)
Page 3
Chapter Two
Eventually, Henry brought the group into the converted bus for an impromptu meeting. It was a large school bus painted grey and blue outside while the inside had been completely renovated. Used as a living space now, the bus interior had two long sofas set behind the driver, facing each other and bolted onto the ground. Light pine wood strips lined the roof and walls, and windows dressed with short length beige curtains. Some table space lined the walls next to a small, wood burning stove with its pipe flue running up and through the roof. A small sink stood next to the stove, while cabinet and storage space took up the rest of the vehicle, but not at the very end. Somebody had soldered down a twin bed at the back near the old emergency exit. The only thing missing that an RV usually contained was a toilet and shower. It still had the large storage bins along the lower part of the bus on the outside.
“Here’s the deal. Most of the RVs and busses are non-operable. This one will start and run too, but it’s sketchy.” Henry rubbed the bridge of his nose. “If we have a little time, I can take parts from the other busses and make this one a lot more reliable.”
Diane and Blanca asked in unison, “How much time?”
He shrugged, “Not sure, but I’d bet a couple days.”
The group thought on that for a while and weighed the need to push further east against the usefulness of having a large vehicle like this in their caravan.
Tori broke the silence, “I think resting for a couple days a good idea, especially for Jaimee and Tom. We’re not even sure that those guys from Riverside followed us after we made it out of there.”
“I can take the motorcycle and scout a few miles in both directions – make sure there isn’t anyone near us. I can do it a few times a day if the gas holds out.” Bobby volunteered.
“If that thing breaks down on you several miles out, that’s one hell of a long walk back.” Jaimee pointed out. “But, it’s a good idea to scout around. What do you think of just a mile out in either direction? Less of a walk back if things go wrong.”
“I’m fine with that,” he said, eager for the opportunity to take the old Honda out for a test spin.
They all agreed, some reluctantly, to letting Bobby take the motorcycle out and waited to decide whether or not to stay in this location for a few days until after he reported back later. Henry decided to waste no time and began pulling parts from the engine of the other busses as Bobby holstered a gun in his belt and secured a couple knives. Earlier in the day, he had found a beat up leather jacket that was at least a size too large for his frame, but Bobby slipped it on before kicking the bike to life.
Grinning, he waved goodbye and sped off in the direction of the highway.
“That noise is going to attract undead.” Tori worried.
“We’ll be ready for them.”
“That fool kid better not get himself killed.” Henry grumbled as he worked on the bus engine.
“He’ll be fine as long as he doesn’t go out too far or do something stupid.” Diane said as she watched bobby reach the road and veer westward to check the way they came from. “Come with me Jaimee, I think you should rest some.”
Nodding, Jaimee stepped up and into the bus after Diane. The wood floor creaked under their feet as they made their way to the back.
Tori popped her head into the door and called after them, “Yell if you need anything. Ok?”
They waved her off and settled onto the bed. Firm with some cushion on the top, it promised a better night’s sleep than the bunkbeds in the firehouse. To Jaimee, those bunkbeds where heavenly compared to sleeping rough on the road in the back of a car or concealed outdoors under a tree, yet this bed felt better…by leaps and bounds.
“Hello sexy.” Diane smiled, watching Jaimee arrange pillows behind her neck and back.
Rolling her eyes, Jaimee snorted in derision. “I feel about as sexy as a potato right now.” Easing down onto the pillows, she sighed.
*****
The wind blew into his face, lifting his long hair in streamers behind him. Even though he was not moving that fast, Bobby almost felt as if he was flying. Free. Happy. Unfettered. The last time he was able to ride a bike of any kind seemed lifetimes ago. The smell of sage mixed with fuel from leaking vehicles and other unknown scents assaulted him. It had not rained since they fled Riverside, but the weather remained cool and brisk.
When he drove away from his new family, Bobby decided to check behind and turned westward to see if the enemy followed them. He sincerely hoped they had not – even armed as he was with a couple knives, a revolver and shotgun strapped to his back, Bobby knew he could not stand against an organized group such as they were. What he brought for protection was intended to be used against the undead if needed.
Adjusting his boots, he steered the motorcycle between wrecks and scrabbling undead when they blocked the road. For the most part, he was able to stick to the shoulder and make progress back up the hills into the grass-covered badlands.
I know Jaimee said to only go a mile out, but that’s nothing. Bobby thought as he passed the mile mark based on the odometer reading. I want to get to the top of that hill at least where I can see more, then I’ll drive back down and check the other way. The engine feels good – this ain’t gonna break down. “C’mon baby, don’t break down.” He muttered.
The sound of the motor attracted the undead. Most tried to exit cars they took refuge in while living, now clawing and flinging their rotting carcasses against windows and doors, trying to escape and reach Bobby. Those he was not worried about, it was the zombies who shuffled after him while weaved his way around obstacles on the freeway that he was concerned with. So far, they were not enough to impede his progress, but he knew that soon there very well might be more than he could evade.
Cresting the hill, Bobby brought the motorcycle to a stop, but kept the motor going as he scrutinized the highway and hills to either side. There was no pursuit visible, other than the shambling undead.
“Well, that’s good. Maybe they aren’t following.” He turned the bike around to head back east. “I sure hope not.”
Picking up speed as he drove downhill, the bike laced left and right, passing more and more undead attracted to the sound of the motor. The speed was exhilarating.
I know I should slow down, but this is fun and I’m making great time! I’ll check out the mile ahead of us and be back to everyone in no time.
Suddenly, near the bottom of the hill, he saw the road was now completely blocked around cars by shuffling zombies. Swearing, Bobby veered to the left onto the shoulder of the freeway.
“Too fast. Crap! Too fast!” twisting the handles as the motorcycle shimmied under him. One panicked turn to the right left the back wheel skidding away and Bobby hit the ground next to the bike and rolled off into the brush and trees to the side of the road. Dust and leaves settled after he and the bike came to a stop.
He gasped and laid still for a few seconds, mentally evaluating his body and checking for injury. Everything moves ok. I think nothing is broken. A little cut up, but nothing major.
Pushing up into a sitting position, Bobby glanced over at the bike ten feet away. It came to a rest tangled in a large creosote bush and luckily missed hitting a tree nearby. A vicious hissing coming from the road made him quickly crawl to retrieve the bike. There were several rotting corpses making their way toward him from the roadway. He knew if he did not get the bike started in seconds, it would be a constant dodging sprint to get back to the others.
If I already broke the bike, Henry is gonna kill me. Forget about the rotters. Lifting the motorcycle out of the bush, he yanked at the entangled branches and twigs, pulling them from the motor and wheels. At first glance, it did not seem too damaged other than superficial scratches and dings.
Come on, start.
Straddling the motorcycle, Bobby kicked the starter while watching the closest undead out of the corner of his eye. It failed to catch and he frantically tried a few more times until the bi
ke revved to life. One zombie grabbed at his arm as he twisted the grip and the bike leapt away along the shoulder. Bobby drove up onto the highway, steering around a few more obstacles before reaching a part of the road that was more open where he opened the throttle. The dealership became visible on the left as he rode closer
I think I’m going to stay at full chat if there aren’t any walking corpses around. I don’t wanna give them a chance to block the road again on my way back. Shaking as he rode, he made sure to wave as he passed the lot where his friends waited and continued to the east. He refused to let the undead with their jagged claws and teeth ruin his free spirit even with jarred nerves.
*****
Diane traced the bandage butterflying a cut on Jaimee’s brow and forehead. It was, by far, the worst damage on her face the men did to her during the ambush in Riverside. There were bumps, deep bruises all over her body, but the cracked ribs were the most painful of all the injuries.
“I must look hideous.” Jaimee said while resting on the bed inside the bus. “I’m trying not to look in any mirrors for a while.”
“Oh stop. No. You don’t.” Diane resisted the urge to smack Jaimee with a pillow. “The swelling is going down, the cuts are healing, and even your black eyes aren’t as dark as they were yesterday. You’ll look fine, it just takes time.”
Jaimee ran her fingers lightly over her face along the cuts and puffiness. A split in her bottom lip was no longer painful to touch. That’s progress I guess. At least I should be able to kiss Diane again soon.
“I hope you like your women rugged and with scars.”
Smirking, Diane said, “I don’t care what you look like Jaimee. I will always love you. Besides, I bet you won’t have any scars after all is said and done. Well, maybe one here in your eyebrow. That cut is pretty wicked. We have to keep cleaning it out and make sure you don’t get an infection.”
“I’ll be fine.” she said dismissively and changed the subject. “When is Bobby due back?”
“Not sure. Soon probably.” Diane peeked over the windows to look outside. “He’s not back yet, but I heard him drive by a little while ago.”
An awkward silence ensued until the blond woman interjected, “I wanted to let you know how glad I am that you are alive and healing. You…you’re very important to me and…”
Jaimee could feel her face turning red while the other woman stumbled for words.
She sat up and put two fingers along Diane’s lips, “I know. I know.”
They both tentatively kissed, Diane trying not to hurt Jaimee, until they heard the sound of the returning motorcycle in the distance.
“Help me up and let’s go listen to what he found.” Jaimee planted both feet on the floor and used Diane’s arms to stand. She knew she was capable of getting slowly around by herself, but did not want to waste the opportunity of being able to be close to the other woman.
They cautiously walked down the steps and joined the others outside the bus as Bobby killed the motor and propped it up with the kickstand.
“What did you see?” Tori began earnestly.
“First tell us if you saw anyone following.” Tom interrupted.
Everyone started to talk at once, until Bobby held up his hands.
“Stop! Stop ok? I’ll tell you, but let’s go sit somewhere comfortable. Jaimee and Tom still don’t look all that great.”
Henry pointed at the bus, “We’d be crowded in this one, but there’s a large RV over there. It doesn’t run, but lots of room to spread out and talk.”
After entering the vehicle, they arranged themselves along the couch and chairs in the front. Bobby sat on a slightly raised portion of the floor in between the front two seats and faced everyone.
“Ok, so I’ll start with behind us.” he flipped hair out of his eyes. “There’s no one behind us yet. I even went a little bit farther than a mile and there’s nothing but cars and rotters.”
Jaimee felt the tension melt from the group and heard others murmur in relief.
“I had a little trouble coming back down the hill – Henry don’t be mad but I ran the bike into a ditch accidently.” Bobby glanced at the older man. “It’s ok though...I swear. Going east is pretty clear until you get near where this road meets the I-10. That’s blocked by loads of wrecks and a lot of walking corpses.”
“Oh no.”
“Don’t worry though. There’s an off-ramp right before that leads into the town. I didn’t go too far down it, but it looks clear enough for us to get through and maybe look for another way to get back onto the ten. Maybe we can resupply our food and stuff there too. The road loops around and goes under the freeway.”
They all were silent for a few seconds, then Diane nodded. “Sounds like we don’t have much of a choice. We can’t go back. We can’t stay here. We have to move forward. If the onramp is blocked we can swing into this town for a while before continuing on.”
“We do need more food, and I’m sure we can always use more gas.” Blanca shrugged. “There’s just going to be a lot of undead to fight through, and we have two people not at their best.”
“What if we stayed here for a couple days while watching for any pursuit to let Tom and Jaimee heal more? There’s a couple houses in the distance we can check out for food and maybe some fruit across the roadside stand.” Tori asked.
“There’s also that large factory – or maybe it’s a store? Looks like a work boot or hiking shoe company.” Tom added.
“Keep in mind that there could be a ton of undead in there. With two of us out of commission, if a hoard gets unleashed, we could all well be screwed.” Jaimee warned. The thought of a good sturdy boot that would last each person a long time was tempting, but if many zombies were inside she was not sure it was worth the risk.
Henry unconsciously scratched at one of his ears. “Well, we’re going to be here for a few days while I fix the bus up. Jaimee and Tom can rest and heal, while the rest go and explore. Lots of time for everything. Go out in at least a group of three maybe and leave one person here as backup and added security.”
They all nodded, believing Henry’s idea as good as any, and began preparations.
Bobby elected to stay behind. After his near miss with a zombie along the freeway, he had no desire to tempt fate twice in one day. He made sure to do a perimeter search while Henry began work on the bus engine, walking the back of the land lot and fencing along the sides.
The three able-bodied group members left: Diane, Tori and Blanca, set out on foot with empty packs and satchels. Diane was concerned. Tori had some experience in the field raiding, but normally stayed behind to tend the wounded. Blanca, on the other hand, had almost no knowledge of how to deal with clearing or avoiding the undead during a search in potentially hostile territory. She helped at the storage facility, and along the freeway, but stood back, reluctant to engage anything coming at the group.
Hesitation will kill you fast out here and get others killed too. I hope we don’t run into anything too much for her to take. Diane glanced at Blanca as they approached the fruit stand. The other woman’s nerves showed, as sweat beaded on her face in the cool afternoon.
The smell of rot wafted from the stand, not the usual stench of decaying bodies that they expected, but different. Earthy and not as pungent. Carefully, Tori wedged open a side entrance and stepped back, waiting for potential undead to attack. One walking cadaver reached out for the dim interior, clawing the air and slavering. Being closest, Tori readied her knife and stood to the side while Diane kept the creature focused on her by yelling at it. When it was a few feet out into the open, Tori stabbed the knife into its temple and watched it sag to the ground. She cleaned the brain matter and blood from the blade, but kept it unsheathed in case of surprises inside.
Glancing at Blanca, Diane asked, “Are you ok?”
The older woman looked shaken. “No…I mean yes. Fine. Yes.”
Blanca stared at the corpses and leaned against a far wall, gathering her nerves.
Diane remember how terrified she was when the dead starting walking and devouring the living. It took a long time for her to come to grips with what had happened and begin to come up with strategies to keep alive. I was absolutely useless at first while raiding if we came across a zombie, but gradually, with time and practice, it got better. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to seeing the dead walk though. They just need to be dealt with. Quickly. Always watch your back and don’t get trapped in an unescapable location. One good shot to the head and you can move on about your business somewhat safely. Why can’t Blanca adjust too?
One more dead body lay inside the fruit stand with a head wound. Rotten fruit rested on the floor and in several baskets along the wall and counter top. The metal baskets had two-inch gaps between the rounded metal bands.
“Hmm. Do we have any use for the baskets?” Diane asked.
“Not that I can think of.” Tori answered while Blanca remained silent, but shook her head.
Diane had a bad feeling, similar to the one she had the last time their little survivor family lost one of their own, before they met Jaimee. If we can’t get Blanca to get her head right...
*****
Resting in the back of the bus, Jaimee found her mind drifting. I’m still surprised how easily Diane seem to admit and give in to her attraction to me. Grateful, for sure. Maybe it’s the circumstances, I don’t know. It wasn’t that easy for me.