by Roberts, Liz
“All I ever wanted was to make you happy. Make the girls happy.” He replied.
“I know, and you did. You just didn’t realize it.” He wanted to reach out and touch her so bad, just a hug maybe, something to know that he had a chance.
“I’m gonna need some time. Susie might too. You should talk to her, she hasn’t been the same since you left.”
“I understand and I will. I’ve missed you both so much.”
“I’m not saying you’re forgiven.”
“I can wait as long as it takes.”
“Well, you’re on your way at least.” She walked forward and looked up at him. Lightly grabbing his beard she gave it a tug.
“And clean yourself up, you look like an old bum.”
Things had gone brilliantly, they stayed and watched the whole melee play out. The people were efficient and kept things simple, the weapons seemed basic, a few guns here and there, catapults and fire were all used in the defense. Now Luke just wondered how they would do against him and his crew.
“Alright were heading back. We need a plan and more people for what I have in mind.” He leaned his arm out the window and made a circle motion with his index finger pointed in the air as if to indicate they were wrapping it up. Burning out into a U-turn, both cars headed back off into the darkness.
Jill and Casey made it up to their place eventually, both were exhausted. Most the day had been spent fighting the unusually large amount of zombies. They had managed to conserve most of their resources and their defenses stayed intact. It gave them hope they could survive a potentially larger amount if needed.
“I’m so worried.”
“Why? Jack’s done recon stuff like this before.” Casey added.
“I know, but he hasn’t been out of here since the hospital incident. I’m just worried he’ll hesitate or something in a situation and he’ll get hurt, or worse.”
“You love that kid don’t you.”
“Like my brother.” She put her arms around him carefully they headed to bed.
Tom didn’t know what possessed him, but he’d showered, shaved. Gave himself a decent buzz cut with a little hair left to spike up on top. He still looked pretty good for being 37, even though he had noticed a fair amount of gray hair spurting through his beard. He left Brian sleeping in the room, the boy seemed to be acclimating to his new surroundings, there lots of teenagers of varying ages around and he appeared to fit in with them too. To think he almost killed this kid.
Tom wandered over to the apartments and sought out his wife’s door, gently knocking. I was late, almost midnight, and he had just about given up hope that Vikki might be awake when he heard the locks on the inside release. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight, there she stood, bed wrangled and with sleepy eyes, Vikki said.
“Tom what’s wrong?” She had concern in her eyes now. Tom hadn’t really thought of what he’d say if she answered the door.
“I shaved.” He blurted. “And cut my hair. Do you like it?” He ran his hand over his head.
“You woke me to show me your haircut?” He froze, what did he say now.
“Vikki I just really wanted to see you once more before I went to bed.” She shook her head and couldn’t hold back the smile. He waited with agonizing patience for what her next words would be.
“Did you want to talk some more?” She asked after waiting a bit.
“Oh yes, definitely.” And he entered the apartment behind her.
Chapter 12
The cold eyes searched the landscape, for the two vehicles that would be soon cresting over the horizon. His breathing hitched as the vehicles were spotted.
“Wait for the signal.” He repeated in the radio for the third time already. Others were hiding below on the street, with their bodies coiled and ready for some action. They were using guns, but they needed them alive, it was the only way to fish, with live bait. You always caught the biggest fish that way. Closer the unsuspecting victims drove, he could see the colors of the cars, black and burgundy. The engines of the vehicles could be heard now, they were cruising this way, they had spent hours moving wrecked cars and debris to funnel them down this block here. Who knew what their destination was but they were never going to make it there.
“AJ, go.” He radioed down to the man who ran out into the road to and began to flag the cars down. It was perfect, we was a survivor, no visible bite wounds or marks, they’d stop to help, take him in, offer food and shelter probably. He watched through binoculars as the cars began to slow down as it approached the man in the street and the one car had stopped about a block away, while the other proceeded slowly up to help the survivor. Shit! Well, at least they’d have one car to use as bait.
“Now!” he shouted down to the others in hiding, and they all sprang into action surrounding the one car.
“What do you mean they haven’t called in?”
“They just haven’t.” Carlton mumbled. He hated confrontation, and while he liked Jill as a person and new friend, she had moments when she was intimidating and he would really rather avoid talking to her.
“They’ve been gone almost 24hrs.”
“I know.”
“When was the last transmission?”
“Around 5 or 6 I think. It just sounded like they were checking in but having radio issues. Maybe that’s it, there radio is broken.”
“No, something is wrong. They might have had an accident. Did you record the transmission?”
“Yes, I’ll find it, give me a couple minutes.” Jill wondered around the revamped dollar store, people were slowly trickling in to put away weapons or grab new ones. Casey came in behind a group, he saw Jill and Carlton bent over the radio listening intently.
“What’s going on?” He was shushed immediately by both, so he just listened like them.
“… . there appears to be a survivor in the middle of the road. He’s flagging us down. Ryan you hang back we’ll check it out.”
“10-4”
“ … no visible bite marks… . he looks clean … . . oh wait … …static” The transmission ended there.
“Damn it. There’s no way to clean it up?” Carlton looked at her like she was nuts.
“Look at this equipment, how am I supposed to filter out anything. Were lucky these things still work and we can actually hear each other.”
“What’s going on?”
“Their over-due. Jack and them aren’t back yet. This was the last transmission they made 5hrs ago.” Jill looked around. “We have to go get them.”
“Wait, slow down. Morning will be here soon enough.”
“They could be out there dying, it’s already been a whole day.” She pointed to the doors with urgency.
“I’m not saying we’ll leave them, but we have to plan stuff out otherwise we’ll end up in the same situation. Let’s get some shut eye and we’ll gather the group early.”
“No!” She tried to shake his hand off her arm, but ended up jarring herself and wincing in pain. “We have to go now.” She looked Casey in the eyes. “Jack is out there. I can’t leave him.” She was gripping his hand with her good arm tightly, looking for that reassurance, that comfort she normally felt.
“I know. But you need rest. Everyone needs some rest. We’ll get up early and head out early, I promise” Casey quickly got everyone up to speed on the situation and scheduled a meeting time for early in the morning.
Coming back to the bedroom after having showered he reached down to stroke Vikki’s calf. She made a purring sound, so Tom knew she was awake. She reached up and stroked her hand over some of the bruises and scars on his back and arms. He’d told her all about the hell hole, almost all about it, it tried to soften it up some. It was just too hard to tell her about some of the sick things that went on there. The molestation, the cannibalism, the drugs and how he ended up with the job of making them.
“What do you think of Brian?” He asked.
“He seems like a good kid, he’s been through a lot hasn’t
he.” She replied.
“Yeah he has.” Tom hesitated. “I’d like him to stay with us, if it’s ok with you.” Vikki smiled. “I don’t see that being a problem.”
“Man, I still can’t believe I made it back here. I seriously thought I’d never see you guys again.”
“We’ll you’re here, and you’ll stay.”
“Damn straight.” He said lying down next to her. After a couple days of some intense talking, and making up, it was like they were on their honeymoon again. Accept this time they weren’t at Niagara falls in a dinky motel. And Vikki wasn’t pregnant with Cindi, what if they had another baby. Whoa where did that thought come from?
“Oh the look on your face right now. What are you thinking?”
“About having another baby with you.” He blurted out unfiltered. Vikki was shocked by this. They had this talk years ago and decided it was just more economical to have the two.
“Where did that thought come from?” She asked stunned.
“I was thinking about our honeymoon, and the plans we had and I just remember holding Cindi and Susie right after they were born and just that overwhelming feeling of happiness.” Vikki stayed silent. “You know you could be pregnant now, we haven’t used anything the last couple of nights.” Still silent Vikki thought about it, it was very true she could have a baby now. She was only 36, and she always wanted another one. The more she thought, the happier she seemed to get.
“You’re smiling, is that good?” Tom inquired. She nodded and said “Yes. Yes I would have another baby with you.”
“Great!” Tom couldn’t be happier at the moment. “Let’s get started!” as he began kissing her.
Luke and the others waited around long after the commotion had died down around the fort.
“Let’s get back, I’m sure our new guests must be anxious.” They kept the truck lights down and did a U turn in the middle of the street and headed away from the fort. Tim’s idea had worked brilliantly. They had managed to capture the occupants of one of the cars all alive. Too bad the other truck didn’t survive, if only they hadn’t fought against them so hard, they’d all still be alive. Luke knew they would have to plan their next steps carefully and use their new bait appropriately as to gain access to their would-be new home. They didn’t want to destroy the door, or any of those outer barracks, but they would if they had too.
Driving about 15 mins from the fort they saw zombies pawing at the building they had to get into. Luke knew they smelled the fresh meat inside. A few bashes in the head the zombies were no more. It was an old electronics store, they had outside shutters that helped conceal them and keep the zombies out. He walked through the main floor, they created a nice little space by shoving and demolishing some of the shelving. Who needed all that crap anymore?
“”Well it looks like your place in really nice. You think they will invite us in for coffee and cake?” He said with a snotty attitude to the 4 remaining people sitting lined up against the wall. With their hands, legs and mouth duct taped, they couldn’t do much more than stare. Luke picked Joe, he’d been driving the truck they captured, he ripped the tape off his mouth causing Joe’s eyes to water up with pain.
“Well? Tell me about the place?”
“No.” He said and looked away.
“No?” He smacked Joe across the face three times in rapid concession causing his nose to bleed.
“I said no.” He repeated squeezing his eyes shut from the pain and blood running from his nose.
“Well you know we can’t kill you, seeing as we already killed everyone else in the other car.” Kim put her head down to keep everyone from seeing her tears. Luke immediately jumped on that.
“Oh I’m sorry sweetheart, was your BF in that car? Well he’s dead now, would you like to join him?” He held a large bowie knife under her chin to raise her face up. She didn’t move, just looked at the knife.
“Leave her alone!” Joe shouted. Luke walked back over and slapped him again, three times on the other side now.
“Listen up. You three men, you’re in charge of everyone’s fate here. I’ll get the information I want, otherwise my boys back here will just fuck it all out of her, over and over again.” He said slowly to try and emphasize his point.
“You were going to do it anyway.”
“Very true. But I won’t kill her at the end, and we’ll only have a few goes at her. It’s been a looong time since we’ve had some clean booty.” The other men in the room chuckled and one started reaching for Kim, but Luke smacked his hand away.
“Damn man.”
“Not yet.” He pointed his bloody crow bar at him. “We wait a bit, let them think about it. It’s all the anticipation that’ll be the real torture.” He bent down by Kim and caressed her face with his dirty hand, Jack struggled beside her as she cringed. “So we’ll see you guys when the sun comes up.” The men left to another side of the building leaving one to keep watch on the four. Jack leaned his head back against the wall, he knew sleep would be a long time coming, but the sun would rise soon. He looked at Kim and tried to convey the message of not to worry, but she just shook her head. Jack knew Jill would save him, she always did.
“Are we ready?” The place had been buzzing for hours, the sun was still rising and Jill was pumped. She was going with two others, she wanted to just go alone but everyone thought that was a bad idea. Mike and another man hoped in the car. Casey was worried and couldn’t hide it. He wanted to go also, but with his ribs still newly healing he wouldn’t be of any use, he could barely fire a rifle. He walked over to the driver’s side window and leaned in to kiss Jill. “Be careful out there.”
“We will be.”
About two hours later they were slowly searching the original route. They’d seen no signs of life, and there seemed to be fewer zombies around also.
“Maybe they’re farther out. They could have found a farm and they are trapped in the house or something.” Mike was throwing out all kinds of possible ideas. They’d been up and down side streets, honked the horn a few times, nothing. Finally back on the main road they drove through a residential looking area, older houses that had been re-done with new siding or some new landscaping that was once trendy, but now over grown and cracked. The brutality of what once went on in each house no longer affected them as much, it just became daily sights. Bullet holes and blood didn’t seem to faze a person as it once had.
“Hey, there’s one of our trucks!” Mike said with excitement. They drove towards the SUV, it was parked in the middle of the road at an awkward angle. Jill slowed their approach.
“Look around guys, do you see anything? Anyone?” She stopped the car about 20ft short. All three occupants got with their weapons at the ready. Mike got there first. “Shit, the tires are slashed, and some of the windows are smashed out.” Jill got to the opposite side, it had been burnt and the opened doors, showed all the blood inside.
“All their supplies are gone.” Phil said.
“What happened here?” Mike asked out loud.
“No clue, but we need to find them and the other car.” Jill replied.
“I don’t like this at all.” Phil said closing the trunk of the SUV. They all piled back into the SUV and drove on. They drove around, searching back up and down the streets, when Jill noticed something in her rearview mirror.
“Hey guys, don’t look now, but were being followed and it’s not ours.” Both men turned to look. A large truck loomed in the distance. Jill wasn’t sure if they wanted to be noticed or not but it was too late. She kept at the slow pace as to not alert the lingering truck. She did another slow left turn down a street and hit the gas to gain some distance, she then whipped around another corner and gunned it down the block. She took a quick right this time hooping the truck didn’t see them. She wanted to observe them. She parked between a series of mauled or beat up car on the side of the street. Hunkered down, they didn’t have to wait long to see the truck travel by slowly up the street ahead. Jill put it in D and heade
d to end of the block. They saw the truck still slowly trolling and they headed out after it. Let’s see how long it would take them to notice her. Shockingly not that long.
Tom came to wake up Brian and they would go grab breakfast together. And give Brian the choice of moving in with him, Vikki and Susie.
“Come on buddy, let’s get some food.”
“ … just a few more minutes … .” Brian muffled into his pillow.
“The food will be gone.”
“Fine. Whoa, what happened to you?” Brian said whipping around on the bed to stare up at Tom.
“You don’t like it?” He was rubbing his newly shaved face, and scrubbed his hand through his now buzzed and trimmed hair.
“You don’t like it?”
“It’s just … different. Not bad.” Brian reached up and tugged on his ratty ponytail, it was almost like dreadlocks. “Do you think we could cut mine too?”
“Yeah sure. Let’s hurry over and we’ll have time for breakfast.”
Both men entered the revamped pick-n-save a bit shy. For they both had just had an extreme change in appearance and that tended to make one more noticeable and self-conscious. Tom with his beard removal and haircut helped Brian clean up as well. With his head almost completely shaved to cut the newly forming dreadlocks out, he looked much older. More than a few people had turned to look at them. They went and dished up some food, Tom found Vikki and Susie at a table, and they joined them. They chatted amongst each other, Brian was quiet, just listening to the family talk and catch up. Tom finally posed the question to Brian.
“So ah, I was wondering, well Vikki and I both, were wondering, if you would want to come stay with us. In one of the apartments.” Brian took a moment.
“Like live with you guys?” Tom and Vikki exchanged looks.
“Well, yeah.”
“And that’s ok with you guys?” Brian looked at Susie and then Vikki. Both women nodded. He looked back at Tom. “I would like it very much.” He said with an audible sigh.
After finishing up breakfast Tom grabbed another cup of coffee and he and Brian went outside to see what the work schedule was for the day. Tom saw Casey with Oscar and a few others. They seemed to be talking pretty heatedly about something. Tom walked over with Brian.