Apocalyptic Beginnings Box Set

by M. D. Massey

  Henry glared at me. “Now, love, we’re asking a lot from her already. Let’s not put her out any more.”

  “No. No. It’s fine. I insist. I miss cooking for a crew.” Addie smiled at us for the first time. “Would one of you girls like to come with me and keep an eye out while I slaughter the chicken?” I shuddered.

  “I’ll go.” Thankfully, Claire volunteered because I might have thrown up. I had gotten used to the blood being passed around in front of me, but I really didn’t think I could handle slaughtering a chicken.

  “All right. Follow me.” Nick handed Claire his gun. Addie grabbed the supplies she needed from the kitchen, and they went out the back door. I was a little nervous with Claire out there by herself. I wasn’t sure if Addie was packing heat, besides the giant butcher knife she took with her. As I chewed my lip, keeping an eye on the situation, I felt Henry’s presence behind me.

  “She’ll be fine,” he said in a hushed tone as he wrapped his cool arms around my body. He nestled his face into the side of my neck and placed soft kisses on it, letting out a groan that tore through my body.

  “Henry, stop!” I swatted at him.

  “You tease me all the time. The way you walk when you know I’m behind you. The way you flip your hair. The way you purposely bend over in front of me, swaying your ass. It kills me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten hard just watching you.”

  I smirked. “I would never do that.” I tried to sound as innocent as I could as he swayed back and forth. He moved his hands up and down my sides in a sensual manner.

  He groaned again and whispered, “I want you so very badly, my black-haired beauty.”

  The rasp in his voice could make me buckle at the knees. He traced his tongue up my neck to my ear, his cool breath making me shiver. He pressed his hips into my lower back so I felt his arousal. I had to pull away before I dragged him somewhere and released my tension.

  “Quit distracting me!” I swatted at him again. “I’m trying to keep an eye on Claire. Go sort your socks or something.”

  He smirked at me, then slapped my ass. “Later, love.” I turned around and gave him a dirty look. He laughed and left the room. I turned back out the door, watching Claire, who watched for undeads, chatting with Addie.

  All of a sudden, she swayed then collapsed. I burst through the door without even thinking. As I ran to her, I pulled out my Sig, ready to take out whatever hurt her.

  “Claire!”

  “So, Addie, this is your home?” Claire tried to make small talk while watching for undeads in all directions.

  “Yes. I’ve lived here my entire adult life.”

  Claire heard the sickening whack of the butcher knife. Swaying on her feet, an intense wave of nausea rushed through her. With her stomach being off, she was afraid the slaughtering of the chicken would send her over the edge.

  “You okay? You look a little peaked.”

  She put her hand over her mouth, but couldn’t hold back any longer. Claire fell on her knees and heaved. Addie ran over to her and grabbed her hair, pulling it back.

  Once Claire finished, she sat back and cried, her hands covering her face. “Sweetheart, it’s all right.” Addie stroked her hair and face.

  “No. It won’t be all right.” Claire continued to cry into her hands.

  “How far along are you?”

  Claire pulled her hands away from her tear-streaked cheeks. “I’m not even sure if I am.”

  “I have a knack for these things. Between your family there treating you like a delicate flower, your rosy complexion, and the fact that you just vomited, I have a good idea that you’re with child.” Claire gazed into Addie’s warm eyes and broke down. Addie wrapped her arms around her. “Shhh… It’ll be okay.”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be burdening you with my problems.”

  “You’re not burdening me. I have a daughter who’s missing. Now you know one of my problems.” Claire smiled through her tears. “She would have been seventeen.” Addie smiled, trying not to show any signs of weakness. “Does he know?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is the baby his?”

  “Yes.” Claire wiped the tears off her cheeks.

  “Claire! Claire!” I ran as fast as my legs would go, which had improved since this whole thing started. “Get away from her or I will kill you!” I screamed at Addie. Hands raised, she stood and backed away.

  “Elaina, stop! It’s fine. Put the gun away.” Claire stood. I looked between her and Addie. “Really, Elaina, it’s okay. I was just sick. That’s all. Addie was trying to help me.”

  I felt my face flush in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I thought that…”

  “It’s fine. I understand. I really should get back to this chicken so I can get y’all a nice meal before it gets too dark.” Addie went into the barn, coming back out with a basket. “Here, Claire. If you feel up to it, can you go gather vegetables from the garden?” Claire took the basket and walked to the garden twenty feet away. I followed Addie back to the barn, staying at the door so I could keep an eye on Claire.

  “Please accept my apology. Here you are, opening your home to us, cooking us a meal, and I nearly blow your head off.” My voice was low, riddled with shame. Addie looked up from the chicken.

  “I understand. It’s crazy out there, and no one knows who is trustworthy.” She refocused, continuing to pluck the feathers from the chicken. When I heard someone running toward us, I walked out of the barn and aimed my Sig in the direction it came from.

  “Jesus, Elaina! Don’t shoot me!”

  “Sorry, Nick.” I put the gun back down.

  “What’s going on out here? I heard yelling.” His breathing was a little labored.

  “Claire got sick. I saw Addie over her, so I made the assumption…” Nick’s body language said it all…throwing the head back, the eye roll, the hands on the hips. “Look, I know, and I apologized.”

  Addie yelled from the barn. “Yes, she apologized, and I accepted! Everything’s fine!” Addie walked out with two buckets, a bunch of feathers clinging to her clothing. “I’m going to rinse this at the pump, then we’ll get started.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Nick said politely, glowering at me. I felt a little self-conscious under his scrutinizing gaze. “Go back inside, you trigger-happy nut. I’m going to go check on Claire.”

  I took the walk of shame back into the house. I sat at the kitchen table and pouted. Henry came in and sat with me, a bottle of vodka in hand.

  “We have to be careful, Elaina. You can’t be threatening everyone.” I rolled my eyes. He had no room to talk. He took a long pull from the bottle, which was becoming a regular thing with him. I wondered what he would do when he ran out.

  “I’ve already been lectured by Nick, so I don’t need to hear it from you, as well.” I crossed my arms and turned away from him. “I thought she did something to her.”

  “Why would she let us stay the night and cook us dinner only to kill us?” He had a snicker in his voice.

  “Shut up, Henry.”

  “Is this five-year-old Elaina that I’m speaking to?” I grabbed the dish towel from the table and threw it at him. “Apparently so.” He laughed. I wanted to throat punch him.

  Addie, Nick, and Claire came back inside. Addie put the chicken on a cutting board. Nick set the basket of vegetables on the counter, then guided Claire to a chair. “Sit for a while. You need anything? Water?”

  “Water would be great. Thanks,” she said in a low voice. Nick grabbed a bottle of water from our supplies. Thomas had followed Nick back in and sat at the table.

  Claire looked a little green and exhausted. When she moaned, Henry glanced at her, then glared at me with a raised eyebrow. I felt it coming.

  “Elaina, may I have a word with you, please?” Shit, I thought. I couldn’t lie to Henry. I suck balls at lying, not to mention I was totally against it. I’d avoided the whole conversation by not saying anything at all. I glanced at Claire.

  “
I know it’s about me, so I might as well fess up. Since everyone is here…” She paused, taking a sip of water while searching for the words. “There’s a really good possibility I’m pregnant.” She picked at the label of the bottle.

  Henry choked on the mouthful of vodka. He swiped his arm across his mouth, collecting the dribbles. “How many of you knew?” He looked around at all of us. I meekly raised my hand like a scared kid on the first day of kindergarten. Nick and Addie followed my lead. “You told a perfect stranger, but didn’t think that telling me, your leader, was important?!” Oh boy. It was not a good time for “Captain Henry” to make an appearance. Or “Angry Henry”, or even “Drunk Henry”. Oh, Christ, what the fuck did it matter?

  “Obviously, I just found out. She was sick outside, and I put two and two together.” Addie went back to cutting the chicken into pieces.

  “But you knew…” He stabbed a finger at me, then at Nick, “and you knew?”

  “Yes,” I said, my voice shaking.

  “And neither one of you felt compelled to tell me?” When no one said anything, he threw his arms into the air. “Brilliant! Absolutely fucking brilliant!” It was a combination of “Angry Henry” and “Captain Henry”. I didn’t think I liked this new “Captain Angry Henry”. He drank more. I crossed my fingers that “Drunk Captain Angry Henry” wasn’t barreling in from around the corner.

  “Watch your mouth, young man!” Addie scolded. “In my house, we do not use language like that. And I would appreciate it if you took it easy on the bottle.”

  I snatched the vodka away from him and capped it.

  “I apologize,” he said, cheeks flushing.

  “Accepted.”

  “I’m not one hundred percent sure,” Claire continued.

  “Whether you’re sure or not, I would think that someone would have said something to me.”

  “Henry, calm down. Let’s not show Addie your temper. After all, she’s being a gracious host.” I scolded him like he did me.

  He stood, grabbed the bottle, pushed past Thomas, and walked out the front door. I turned back to Claire, who had started to cry. Nick, furious, stood.

  “Nick, sit back down,” I growled. I refocused on Claire. “Claire, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think he would act like that.” I rubbed her hand.

  “I knew this would be a burden. I’m such an ass for letting this happen.”

  “What?” Nick stared at her, his mouth hanging open. All aboard an emotional train. Our tickets may say Happyville, but watch us pass directly through Pissyville, and let’s not forget the all too important Melancholyville. It was odd to me that Addie just stayed at the counter, prepping dinner, while our little soap opera unfolded before her.

  “I didn’t mean it that way. I meant the baby. We should have been careful.” The tears flowed fast and heavy. I picked up the towel I had thrown at Henry moments before, handing it to Claire.

  “And how were we supposed to be ‘careful’? There isn’t exactly a twenty-four-hour quickie mart open that I can drive to and buy a box.” Oh yes, we were now passing right through Bitterville, as well. I had to put a stop to it.

  “Okay. Nick, stop. You’re just upsetting her more.”

  “Well, she’s making it sound like she regrets our relationship.”

  We quickly approached Whinyville. When would I get off the fucking train?

  “That’s not what she’s saying,” I said. “She’s worried. Worried about the ifs, whens, and whats.”

  Addie walked over and took a seat at the table. “Listen, I can tell you this. No matter what, a baby brings joy into the hearts of everyone. The circumstances may be a little different here, but y’all will get through it. I promise you that. Giving birth without the help of a doctor or a midwife will be difficult, and I’m going to be real here and tell you the pain is nothing like you’ve ever had, but you will get through it. The best thing that y’all can do is get along, stop fighting, and work together for the sake of your family. They may be all you have left.”

  “I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.”

  Addie grabbed Claire’s hands. “Sweetheart, please listen to me. Times will be tough. There’s no doubt about that. The baby will cry when you don’t want it to, which was true even in the days of convenience. With all the hurt, anger, fear, and death in this world, a little life will bring hope. We all need a little hope, don’t we?”

  I wish Henry had been there to hear what she said. I probably should have taken notes so I could repeat it back to him, then maybe he would feel guilty about behaving the way he did. I heard the front door open and close.

  “It’s just me,” Henry announced as he came back into the house. Shoulders slouching, he looked defeated…and drunk. “I would like to apologize to everyone for my behavior. Sometimes I can be a real prat.” Not one person said a word. He stood quiet for a moment, looking at everyone but me, then he focused in on Addie. “Is there anything I can help you with for dinner?”

  “You know, I could use someone to watch my back while I grill. I think there’s enough propane left to cook.”

  “Sure. I can handle that.” Henry walked through the kitchen, without a glance in my direction, and went out back to check for undeads. Great, he was pissed at me. Just perfect.

  Addie pulled out seasonings from her cabinets. “Would you ladies like to make a dressing for the salad while I cook the chicken?”

  “Yes, of course,” I said with mild enthusiasm. I admit that I was no Julia Childs, but putting together a dressing would be easy enough.

  “And you boys can set the table. Everything you need is right in this area.” She waved her hand in front of the cabinets and drawers. Addie took the platter of chicken and headed out back.

  Addie opened the door as Henry started the grill. “Oh goodness. Thank you.”

  “It’s the least I can do,” he said apologetically, flashing his charming smile.

  “You need to take it easy on that girl. You’ll cause a divide within your group if you choose to keep acting the way you are,” she lectured.

  Henry hung his head like a child. “I know. I’m ashamed of my behavior.”

  “You need to be a little easier with that bottle, as well.” Henry looked off to the side. “Speaking from experience, it can damage relationships.”

  “Sorry to hear that.” Henry didn’t know what else to say. He knew he was becoming more attached to the booze, needing more and more every day, but he wasn’t ready to shake it yet. Nor was he ready to admit anything. He also knew that Elaina watched his intake. The silence grew even more uncomfortable.

  “I’m not going to holler at you about it because it’s none of my business and you know what you’re doing to yourself, but just understand that breaking the habit is a difficult road.” Addie cleared her throat. “Well, enough of that. So, tell me, where in England are you from?” she asked, placing the chicken on the grill.

  “The east end of London,” he said, careful not to elaborate or speak too much of the truth.

  “I’ve always wanted to travel to the UK. But, because of one thing or another, it just wasn’t in the cards.”

  “Family?” He was genuinely curious.

  “Yes. I was married. My husband passed two years ago. He was ill for a long time. He was an alcoholic.” Henry let out a loud exhale and shied away from Addie. Then, in a sad tone, she said, “I had a daughter, as well.”

  “I’m sorry.” His voice was gentle and full of compassion.

  “It’s kind of nice to have a group of people around. It’s been a little while. My daughter used to bring her friends over all the time. We always had a houseful. But it’s been lonely, as you may have figured out.”

  “Did your daughter…?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve looked for her every place I can think of, but I can’t find her.”

  “Where was she last?”

  “At school.”

  “And you’ve been to the school?”

  “I have driven past,
but there were a lot of those…zombies, I guess you would say.”

  “We call them undeads.”

  Addie pushed the chicken around on the grill. “Right. Well, there were a lot of undeads roaming around so I couldn’t get into the school. Then I went to all of her friends’ houses, which took a while. I saw things I didn’t want to see. I have done things that may not be forgivable at those pearly gates.”

  “I understand. I, too, have done unforgivable things. A lot of unforgivable things.” Henry could commiserate. He knew all too well what it was like to do things that were unforgivable, and the emotional baggage that came with it. “Is the school close by?”

  “Oh, about three miles down the road there.”

  Henry began plotting in his mind. He walked around a little and scoped out the area, surprised at the lack of undeads roaming. Then he came up to a large pile of decaying bodies, all of which bore the obvious signs of being undead.

  “Henry! Dinner,” Addie yelled out. She didn’t see him, so she headed back to the house with the chicken.

  When Addie walked back in, the mouthwatering scent of grilled chicken was the best thing I had smelled in a long time. Canned tomatoes and peaches were getting a bit boring. Not that I was complaining because it was better than no food at all.

  “Oh, this smells divine,” I said. Claire looked a little greener than she did before.

  “Are you going to be able to eat this? You should at least try.” Addie was insistent as she plated up the chicken. When Henry came strolling in, he flashed a slight smile at me, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to smile back.

  We polished off the entire chicken and the salad. Well, not everyone. Claire just picked at her meal. Nick took her plate and divided up the rest of her food between himself, Thomas, and Henry. I was too stuffed to ingest another morsel. It felt amazing to have a full stomach. That hadn’t happened in a long time.

  “Thank you so much for this meal.” I relaxed back into the chair in an almost euphoric state.