“Oh, my God,” Sandy cried. “Do something, Joe!”
The infected swiped a clawed hand at Candy, and she stumbled as his fingers ripped strands of hair from her scalp. A desperate wail tore from her lips. “Joe, help me!”
“Joe!” Xavier screamed, adding his voice to the chaos.
Joe aimed again, but Candy’s face was right there, filling the space at the end of the barrel. He closed his eyes, fighting a losing battle against the panic that threatened to overwhelm him.
Next to him, Sandy seemed to realize his plight. Her voice dropped to a low whisper, and she said. “Joe, you can do this. I know you can. You’re the best shot I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen many.”
“What if I miss?” Joe asked.
“You won’t.”
Sandy complete trust in him settled over Joe like a blanket. It muffled the fear, and he gazed at his target with fresh eyes. The infected’s face bobbed up and down with every step, and Joe allowed the rhythm to sync with the beating of his heart.
Thump-thump.
Thump-thump.
Thump-thump.
He pulled the trigger.
Candy screamed, and her head whipped to the side. For a single frozen moment, Joe’s world ended. I killed her.
She stumbled but regained her feet and kept running. Behind her, the infected crashed to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs.
Seconds later, Candy and Xavier reached the truck, and Joe grabbed her by the shoulders. His eyes searched her face and fixed on the blood that ran down her collarbone in a steady trickle. “You’re hurt. I hurt you.”
Candy shook her head, tears running down her cheeks. She reached up with one trembling hand and touched the bloody graze on the side of her neck. “You didn’t hurt me. You saved me.”
Chapter 8 - Wanda
Knoxville, Tennessee; 16:58
Wanda woke with a start when a hand shook her shoulder. “What?”
“We did it, babes. Knoxville is up ahead,” Tom said, pointing at a cluster of buildings in the distance.
Wanda yawned, rubbing her eyes to clear her head. “Thank God, we made it. We got past the horde.”
“That’s right. Our roundabout route worked, and they’re behind us for good,” Tom confirmed with a bright smile.
“Could they still catch up?” she asked.
“Not a chance. They can’t move very fast in such big numbers. It will take a few days before they get this far.”
“Excellent. Canada, here we come,” Wanda said, cracking open her window for a breath of fresh air.
“But let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Tom cautioned. “We’re still a long way from the border, and we have no idea what’s in store for us ahead. We need to be careful.”
“I know,” Wanda said, “but this has to work. The further north we go, the colder it gets. The colder it gets—”
“The fewer zombies there are to deal with,” Tom interrupted. “I know. That’s the theory, anyway.”
“It’s not just a theory. It’s a fact,” Wanda said, beaming at the world that flashed by her window. The countryside burgeoned with new life, and green growth covered the bare branches of the trees. Wildflowers poked through the carpet of dead leaves, their petals promising a riot of colors to follow. Optimism filled her soul, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in days.
They’d been trapped on the roof for three days and nights. Each moment was filled with the awful sights, smells, and sounds that only the undead could produce in such nauseating volume.
By the time it was safe to come down, they had faced a difficult choice: Stay and enjoy relative freedom from the undead until the following winter, or cut around the horde and make a run for the border.
Tom was all for staying. He knew what they faced where they were while Canada was an unknown quantity.
In the end, it was Wanda that made the decision. “I don’t want to go through this again next year, Tom. I’m tired. Tired of running and fighting with no end in sight. How long until one of us falls? What then?”
Unable to resist her pleas, Tom agreed. They hunted for a reliable vehicle and plotted a route around the migrating undead. With the back loaded with supplies, they embarked on their journey. Knoxville became their primary target. They stood a good chance of making it all the way if they could reach that before the zombies.
And now, we’re here, Wanda thought, unable to stop smiling. Tom reached over and squeezed her leg. It was a good moment. One of the few they got to experience during the apocalypse.
She leaned back in her seat, her eyes drifting shut once more. Then a flash of light caught her attention, and she jerked upright. “What was that?”
“What? I don’t see anything,” Tom asked, his poor eyesight once again counting against him.
“There’s a car up ahead by the side of the road. People too,” Wanda cautioned, reaching for her Glock. She removed it from its holster and checked the load. “Slow down. I want to get a good look before we reach them.”
Tom complied and dropped their speed until they were almost crawling. Squinting into the distance, Wanda was able to discern four figures. A man was on his knees next to the vehicle while the others crowded around it in a protective circle.
“There are four of them, and it looks like they’ve got a flat tire,” Wanda said.
“What should I do?” Tom asked, his brow furrowed.
“I don’t know,” Wanda replied as they drew closer. “Two of them look like teens to me. A boy and a girl. There’s an older woman too.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Tom said, relaxing behind the wheel.
“Maybe, but you never know. Be careful,” Wanda cautioned, opening her window half-way. “Let me talk to them, but be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Got it?”
Tom nodded. “Got it.”
Wanda kept her gun ready on her lap, studying the strangers with a keen eye. She was prepared for trouble. As they drew closer, the man stood up, and the group gathered into a tight knot. They were all armed, but none made any overt gestures of threat.
They looked alright, and Wanda decided to take a chance. “Hi there. Do you need any help?”
The man studied her with a closed look, his shaven head gleaming in the sun. The material of his shirt strained against the bulging muscles that covered his torso, and she swore he had to be seven feet tall.
The man shook his head. “No, thank you. It’s just a flat tire. We’ll be on our way soon.”
“Are you sure? We could help,” Wanda offered, eyeing the woman that stood by his side. She seemed kindly, her eyes and mouth creased with laughter lines.
“We’re sure,” the man replied. “You’d best be on your way.”
The strange woman jabbed him in the side with an elbow, and said, “Don’t be rude, Joe. They seem friendly.”
To Wanda’s great amusement, the big man blushed at her words. “Er, right. Sorry, Sandy.”
Sandy looked at Wanda, and she smiled. “We don’t need any help, but perhaps we could have supper together? I make a mean stew, and we’d love the company.”
Wanda hesitated. An invitation to dinner was more than she’d bargained for, especially under the circumstances. “I don’t know.”
“We could exchange information,” Sandy added. “Besides, it’ll be dark soon.”
Wanda looked at Tom. “What do you think?”
Tom shrugged. “They seem okay, and information is always welcome.”
Wanda turned back to Sandy. “Alright. It’s a deal. Where do you want to set up?”
“Why not right here?” Sandy asked, pointing to an open field. “The area is clear, and we’d have a wide field of fire and a ready escape route in case of attack.”
“Then, it’s settled. We’re spending the night here. Pull up Tom,” Wanda said, waiting for him to find a spot to park. Once he did, she got out and walked toward Sandy with her hand extended. “I’m Wanda, and this is Tom, my husband.”
Sandy smiled a
nd pointed at the other three with her. “This is Big Joe, Xavier, and Candy. We’re not related, but we’re family.”
“I get that,” Wanda said, smiling at each of them.
“Where are you from?” Wanda asked.
“We’re from Tyler, Texas. At least, we were until…” Sandy trailed off, her expression pained.
“Until what?” Wanda pressed.
“Until we were driven off by a horde of zombies,” Sandy said. “It looks like they are pushing north with the coming of spring.”
“Yeah, they prefer warmer weather,” Big Joe confirmed.
Wanda exchanged a careful look with Tom. “In that case, we have a lot to talk about. A whole lot.”
“Indeed, we do,” Tom agreed. “Let’s get settled for the night, shall we?”
As they readied their campsite, Wanda wondered how many others they’d encounter on their way to the border. People like them running from the undead. The last of the survivors. Tom’s words came back to her, and she shuddered. Maybe this is the end of humanity.
Chapter 9 - Nick
Nick studied the roadside with keen attention. He didn’t want to miss a single detail. Anything, no matter how trivial, could be important in the days to come. He had the feeling that dark times waited ahead, and he wanted to be prepared.
They still weren’t able to contact the southern-most communities. Only those that were nearby answered their radios. It filled Nick with dread. If the other survivors were gone, thousands were dead. And we could be next.
They left Fort Detrick that morning while it was still dark, the sun no more than a memory in the night. Saul took one direction while Nick headed south down the US-15. Each drove a newly-serviced Humvee carrying four people. His group consisted of Dylan, Missy, and Richard, and he trusted each of them with his life.
He looked at Dylan, who lounged in the passenger seat next to him with the map on her lap. Her hair was drawn back in a high ponytail that accentuated her strong features, and her long lashes dusted her cheekbones as she traced their route.
“Where to next?” Nick asked.
“We climb onto the US 340 westbound and cross into Virginia,” she replied. “Our first stop is Charles Town. Last we heard, they were still alive and kicking.”
Nick nodded. “That’s right. I wanted to meet with them before we go further south. Maybe they know something we don’t. Either way, it won’t hurt to introduce ourselves in person.”
“Smart,” Dylan replied, leaning back in her seat. “We should arrive in about thirty minutes.”
Just over half-an-hour later, they rolled to a stop outside Charles Town. A red sedan with tinted windows waited for them by the side of the road, bristling with guns.
“Wait here,” Nick said, reaching for his door handle.
“You’re going out there alone?” Dylan protested.
“That was the deal,” Nick replied. “The Charles Town leader, Mike, was very specific. They’ve had trouble with other groups before.”
“What if it’s a trap?” Dylan cried.
“Then I fully expect you to come rescue me,” Nick said with a crooked grin. Without waiting any longer, he exited the truck with his hands in the air. “I come in peace.”
After a tense moment, a man wearing cowboy boots and jeans exited the sedan. His hands were empty, but his gaze was keen. He looked like a fighter. A survivor. “Sergeant Nick Dean? Is that you?”
“That’s right,” Nick answered. “Are you Mike?”
“The one and only. Mike Hansen, at your service.”
“Nice to meet you,” Nick said.
“You’re late,” Mike answered with a slight frown.
“Yeah, well. The roads aren’t what they used to be,” Nick said.
Mike nodded slowly. “I hear you. Nothing is the same anymore. Now, what can I do for you?”
“First of all, I’d like your permission to pass through your town,” Nick said.
Mike shrugged. “It’s a free country. We don’t live inside the city limits anyway. But why do you want to pass through?”
“We were in contact with several communities down south, but they’ve all gone quiet in recent days. I want to find out why,” Nick replied.
“This is a scouting party?” Mike asked.
“That’s right,” Nick said. “Do you know what happened to those places, perhaps?”
Mike shook his head. “No, I don’t. Like you, we also noticed that they’ve gone off the air, but I figured it was a technical problem.”
“All of them at once?” Nick pointed out. “I doubt that’s a coincidence.”
Mike pursed his lips. “You may be right. Either way, you’re free to go on through. I only ask that you let me know what you find. I have families to protect. Women and children to care for.”
“It’s a deal,” Nick said. “Thanks for agreeing to meet me today.”
“No worries. When all of this over, perhaps we can talk some more,” Mike said, tipping his head to Nick.
“I’ll be in touch,” Nick agreed before climbing back into the Humvee. As they drove off. he glanced at Dylan. “That went well.”
“You were lucky,” she grumbled, folding her arms across her chest.
“I agree, Nick,” Richard said from the back. “That was a risky move.”
“Fair enough. Next time, I’ll be more careful,” Nick said. “Where to now, Dylan?”
She studied the map with care. “Woodstock. There’s another small community there, and they’re still on the air.”
“That’s right, but the leader refused to meet with me,” Nick said.
“As long as they don’t give us any trouble, I’m cool with that,” Dylan replied.
“If they do, they’ll be sorry,” Missy chirped from the back.
“Calm down. I already spoke to them. They don’t want to meet up, but they won’t bother us either,” Nick admonished.
“Maybe, but we’d best be prepared for the worst. Not everyone can be trusted nowadays,” Richard cautioned.
“Wise words,” Dylan said.
“How far is Woodstock from here?” Nick asked.
“About an hour, depending on the conditions. After that, it’s Harrisonburg, Roanoke, and Knoxville,” Dylan said after consulting the map again.
“When will we reach the first dark settlement?” Richard asked.
“That would be Tuscaloosa. We probably won’t make it today. Not with these road conditions,” Dylan said.
Richard whistled. “Tuscaloosa. That’s quite a distance to travel.”
“I know, but hopefully, we’ll get the answers to our questions there,” Nick replied. “If we do, we can go back and prepare for whatever it is.”
“Why did you come on this trip, Nick?” Missy asked, leaning forward. “I mean, you’re our leader and everything. Shouldn’t you be back home?”
“I uh…I thought it’d be best if I saw with my own eyes what—”
“He’s bored, Missy,” Dylan interrupted, flashing him an amused look. “He’s looking for adventure, aren’t you love?”
“I guess you could say that,” Nick admitted.
“Adventure at your age?” Missy asked.
“Hey,” Nick protested. “I’m not that old, you know?”
“To her, you’re ancient, my love,” Dylan said with a chuckle. “Right, Missy?”
“Uh-huh,” Missy said. “You’re old enough to be my dad.”
“What does that make me? A grandpa?” Richard asked with a wounded look. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“Yeah, that’s enough from you two ladies,” Nick said. “Picking on us poor helpless men like that. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Dylan snorted. “Yeah, right. You two are anything but helpless. Anyway, it’s going to be a long day, so we might as well settle in.”
She slumped down in her seat while Missy fiddled with her phone, and Richard stared out the window, deep in thought.
Left to his own devices,
Nick returned his attention to the road. He wondered how Saul’s group was doing and what they’d find in the days to come. Let’s hope it’s not what I think it is. That’s the last thing we need.
***
Nick glanced at the road sign that flashed by. Lexington. 5 miles.
He stifled a yawn and glanced at his watch. They’d been driving for hours now, and he was feeling the burn. Missy was fast asleep in the back while Richard still stared at the countryside. His expression was stony, and Nick wondered what he was thinking. It couldn’t be anything good.
Dylan glanced at him, chewing on a thumbnail. “Do you want me to spell you?”
“Nah, I’m okay,” Nick said.
“Are you sure? You look pretty tired to me.”
Nick shook his head. “No. I’m fine.”
Dylan stared at him for a long moment. “You don’t have to be so stubborn.”
“I’m not being”
“Shut up, both of you, and look ahead,” Richard interrupted.
Nick squinted at the road, and he soon spotted what Richard had. Two vehicles headed their way. He slowed to a crawl and pulled to the side before stopping. “Look lively, everyone. We’ve got company.”
They each opened their windows a crack and held their weapons ready to shoot. It wasn’t long before the two vehicles reached them, and the front runner stopped next Nick’s window.
A large man with a bald head called out, “Are you army?”
“Who wants to know?” Nick shouted back.
“The name is Big Joe, and we’re not looking for trouble, but we can and will fight if need be.”
“Calm down. We’re only looking for information,” Nick said.
“What kind of information?” Big Joe asked.
Nick hesitated. The man before him was a complete stranger. “How do I know I can trust you?”
Big Joe shrugged. “Your call. I’m more than willing to keep riding.”
Nick studied the two vehicles. The first, a Ford double-cab truck, carried four people. Two of them looked quite young, especially the blonde girl who hung over Big Joe’s shoulder. The second car, a neat little compact with a roof rack, carried only two passengers. All stared at him with wide eyes, though he counted a couple of rifle barrels.
Rise of the Undead (Book 6): Apocalypse Z Page 7