by Tim Moon
“How long will it take to get there?” Anuhea asked.
“Depends on the roads and if we run into infected. Under normal circumstances, back in the day, it’d take about forty minutes or so.” He rubbed his jaw and looked at each of them. “That said, I’d like to take the back way which might take a little over an hour. It should be safer though. We can also stop at a store or two along the way to pick up food.”
“You mentioned it was a camp site?” Chadwick asked. “Does that mean tents and outhouses?”
“Not so much. I remember the name now. It’s called Lake Merwin Shoreline Camp. Think of it more as a lakeside community. Friends took me there a few times and they have a great set up. It’s a large property right on the water with multiple cabins, a large central lodge, and several smaller buildings that I never went into,” Ben said.
“That sounds promising,” Chadwick admitted.
“It also has a dock with a swimming area and two large fields for baseball and soccer… er, football,” Ben said with a quick look at Chadwick, who smirked. “We could always convert one or both of the fields into farmland for crops. They might have a greenhouse but I’m not positive. We can fish and swim in the lake, hunt in the surrounding forest, and live in relative safety out there. The buildings and roads can be fortified, and we can work without much fear of drawing infected down upon us.”
Chadwick seemed to be interested. Anuhea looked neutral as she studied the map.
“Lake Merwin is a beautiful area. There will be other people out there, I’m almost certain of it,” Nancy said. “Some folks around those parts are survivalists or preppers. They might not have taken the camp, but they’ll know about it and might come around snooping.”
“That’s true. But I think folks like that tend to stick to their own property. Would they really care if we took over the camp? I would think they would only care about us if they think we’re trying to take over someone’s house. Or threaten their property. Shoreline Camp was a business, not a homestead.”
“We can approach it cautiously,” Anuhea said. “If someone’s there, I’m sure we can find something else. Right?”
Ben nodded. “Sure. Worst case scenario is that we go take over an old ranger station or something like the visitor center on Mount St Helens.”
“We’ve done that before,” Chadwick said with a grin.
Nancy looked confused when the others chuckled.
“Mom, do you have any other suggestions? You probably know the area better than I do,” Ben said.
Nancy shook her head. “No, that’s a fine choice dear.”
“I don’t know this area at all, but I trust you, Ben. I can’t think of any reason why we shouldn’t at least check it out,” Anuhea said.
Nancy nodded in agreement, beaming at Anuhea. She reached forward and patted Ben’s forearm. “I couldn’t have said it better myself. I trust your judgment, son. Living next to Lake Merwin is going to be like a dream come true.”
“What we’ve been through has been barking mad, but I’m hopeful that we can start a new life out there,” Chadwick said with a huge grin.
“It’s settled then,” Ben said. “Tomorrow we go to Lake Merwin.”
97
The sun had barely started to lighten the eastern sky when Ben sat up. Blinking away the sleep, he stood, stretched his back and legs, and then went to wake the others. His heart beat with nervous anticipation, and just a hint of excitement.
Walking down the hall, Ben banged on each door and said, “Wake up. Time to get ready.”
Raiding SportsMart was first on the agenda. Then they would immediately depart for Lake Merwin Shoreline Camp. A new chapter in their lives was about to start and having that to focus on helped sooth the pain of losing Charlotte.
Ben started up the single burner camp stove to boil water. Coffee was needed stat, to keep him sharp. He wasn’t a morning person and Chadwick liked to start the day with a cup of tea.
Over the next ten minutes or so, people began to shuffle into the kitchen. They ate a quick, simple meal of oatmeal and breakfast bars. They also enjoyed hot drinks that warmed their chilled bodies.
Anuhea went outside for a few quiet moments at Charlotte’s grave. Ben watched from the door but gave her space. Someday, probably in the spring, he’d come back with flowers to visit Charlotte.
Ben, Chadwick and Nancy pack up the last few items while they waited for the stove to cool down. Oliver appeared from the bedroom with his arms full.
“Find something you like?” Ben asked.
“Yes. It’s SpongeBob,” Oliver said as if no explanation was needed. He hugged it tightly and marched towards Nancy who stood beside one of the SUVs.
“He seems awfully protective of that pillow,” Ben said.
“Kids,” Chadwick muttered, shaking his head.
They waited in the driveway for Anuhea to join them. When she arrived, Ben went over the plan one last time. Ben, Anuhea and Nancy would each drive a vehicle, with Ben leading the way in the truck. Oliver would ride with Nancy in the SUV in between Ben and Anuhea, who would bring up the rear. Everyone was eager to move on. Their temporary home had a cloying sadness that dampened everyone’s spirits.
“There is just enough light that we can drive without headlights. If you see serious trouble, flash your bright lights,” Ben said. “If for some crazy reason we get separated and don’t find each other in a few minutes, we meet up north in Amboy. Wait at a tiny shop called Amboy Market for one day. After that, push on to the lake. There are plenty of signs to guide you and we all have a map.”
The truck started up with a strong, reassuring growl. Ben nearly flipped on the headlights out of habit but stopped himself. His mom and Anuhea followed him down the block.
It was quiet in the truck by himself. The radio had nothing but static, so Ben began to hum songs to himself just to pass the time. Since Ben didn’t remember arriving at the house it took a few minutes to get his bearings. Once he realized where they were, he looked in the direction of his mom’s house. Dark smoke still drifted into the sky from what was probably the smoldering remains of his childhood home. Seeing it made his grip tighten on the steering wheel.
Ben slowed down and took the next left turn towards the house. It was a deviation from the plan, but he had to see it. They might be able to salvage stuff from the basement. Or… something. Ben had to see the house again. The urge was powerful, undeniable.
Aware that infected might still be lingering in the area, Ben drove to the side street they had used for escape, the one with the opening in the vehicle barrier. Since it wasn’t directly connected to Mill Plain like the other side, it should be less crowded. Since the infected had likely tried to follow them the other night, there shouldn’t be any lingering in the area.
The truck jerked to a stop before reaching the vehicle barrier. Oddly enough, the neighborhood was empty from what he could see. Just a few bodies lying here and there. Ben climbed out, carefully lifting his rifle and sword out so they didn’t bump anything. He watched and listened for any sign of infected. The air reeked of burnt wood and plastics. The SUVs idled quietly and Anuhea rolled down her window, a dark scowl on her face.
“What the hell are you doing?” she asked. “We’re supposed to go to the store and leave.”
“I just want to check it out really quickly,” he said, glancing back at his mom who had also rolled down her window.
She eyed him carefully but rather than argue, Nancy said, “Be careful.”
Ben knew his mom would say that. With a nod, he turned away. Avoiding Anuhea’s glare, Ben rushed to the corner of the nearest house. He peered around the edge, found the area clear and then ducked behind the first car that formed the wall, moving further down the line, so he could see down the block.
Once he had a clear view all the way down the block, Ben halted. Peering over the trunk of a car, he immediately noticed several infected stumbling around. What shocked him even more was seeing the charred husks of burnt homes. The fire
had spread and burned down at least six houses. Anger simmered in his chest at what Nick’s group had done.
Satisfied that he wouldn’t be overwhelmed, Ben rushed through the s-curve, and ran across front yards. He stayed close to the houses, doing his best to avoid attracting the infected. He lowered his rifle and drew his knife. Stealth was one of the keys to survival. The dead were few and spread out enough that he would not in much danger.
Charred wood infused the air as he approached the home where he had spent so much of his life. The skeletal remains of a few walls remained standing. Wisps of smoke rose from piles of ash and coals. It was far worse than he could have imagined.
Ben had only seen brief clips of burning houses on the news and they were usually put out by the fire department. His mom’s house had no such aid and the results were astonishing. For a mere physical possession, it startled him that seeing it destroyed affected him so deeply.
Any hopes Ben had of recovering supplies were dashed. Few items stored in the basement could have survived. Even if they did, he doubted the floor would support his weight. The thought of falling through or being trapped in the basement if it collapsed on top of him was too disturbing to risk. He backed away from the house, staring at the blackened wood and exposed foundation.
Ben heard a scraping sound coming from the street behind him. An infected man had spotted him. It growled when he turned. Gritting his teeth, Ben decided to let off a little steam.
Striding towards the decaying infected man, Ben raised the blade and prepared to strike. One of its feet was missing, and the jagged bone protruding from his pant leg is what made the scraping sound he heard. The undead stepped onto the sidewalk and then started across the lawn towards him. Ben took out his knife and prepared to end it.
When the guy was in range, he swung the knife and hit nothing but air. The zombie tilted perilously with a loud snap. Ben blinked in surprise. When he saw that the infected guy had stepped into one of the holes they dug and snapped its one good leg, Ben couldn’t help but laugh.
The laugh ended when the man began to crawl forward, totally oblivious to the gut-churning angle of his leg. Ben side-stepped and put a foot in the middle of the guy’s back. His knife drove into the back of the man’s head and the body stopped moving.
His brief encounter, and the loud snap of bone, had drawn the attention of the other infected. Ben counted four in the open. More began to emerge from between houses and behind bushes. The count quickly rose to nine infected. They were spread out though.
Moving carefully past the holes dug into the lawn, Ben stood on the sidewalk in front of his mom’s house and let the dead approach. The woman on his left caught his knife blade with her face. The man coming at him straight on tripped on the curb and fell at Ben’s feet. He stepped on the guy’s back and thrust the blade into his skull. Another infected closed in, as Ben yanked the blade out of the skull and swung it up in time to nearly hack off an arm, before pivoting and taking his head off.
Dark zombie blood covered Ben’s hands and jacket. The smell nearly made him lose his breakfast, but he had grown accustomed to the smell and was able to swallow the bile down. The thrill of battle coursed through Ben. He didn’t want to continue fighting at such close range though, so he drew his sword.
It may have just been a replica of a TV show weapon, but when the teen girl lunged at him, Ben cleaved her head in two. Her body fell with the blade lodged firmly in her body, jerking him forward. Annoyed that he’d gotten stuck again, Ben rocked the blade back and forth to free it.
The next two approached at the same time. Ben dashed past them, into the street and took the head off another zombie. It landed with a dull splat on the asphalt. Spinning back the other way, he gutted the two walking together. It didn’t stop them, but one stumbled in the tangle of organs which slowed it down. Ben used the opening to strike the first one down. Its head rolled across the street as he stabbed the slow one in the face. His aim was on point, catching the zombie in its opened mouth as it growled at him. For a second, he felt like the T-1000 in Terminator 2. All the infected needed was a carton of milk. Ben smirked and then kicked it in the chest to free the blade.
The largest infected trailed behind, a hulking man with a beer gut flopped over his pants. His shirt had been torn off and Ben could see bite marks and missing flesh as the sun continued to brighten the sky. The groan that emanated from his wobbling jowls was low and angry. Blood stained fingers reached out for Ben.
With a quick slice, several fingers popped off as Ben batted away the hands. He backed away and circled to his right, holding the sword up like a baseball bat. He slashed at the man’s leg, hoping to drop him to his knees. Instead, the blade sunk in and stuck. How did people fight with swords when the kept getting stuck? Ben growled in frustration.
His hand slipped from the hilt as the man lunged at him and he barely dodged the fat hands and finger stumps reaching out for him. Regret erupted in his mind. Why didn’t he just escape without fighting?
Now the hulking man trudged forward with a sword lodged in its leg and ink colored blood dripping from its hand. Ben could shoot him, but he still wanted to end it quietly. He took a steadying breath and drew his knife. The man was slow, which he had counted on. Circling around the brute, Ben came into striking distance and planted the blade into the back of the dead man’s skull. The big man collapsed in the street. Ben reached down to remove his knife and then the sword before any more infected stumbled into the fray.
Ben wiped the blades clean on the dead man’s pants, put the knife away and looked around. A thought came to mind and he ran inside the neighbor’s house. It took a few minutes to find what he needed.
Ben scribbled a quick note and was about to leave when he had another idea. Rummaging through the drawers in the kitchen, he found a loose sandwich baggy. He tucked the note inside the re-sealable bag and tucked it into his pocket. Outside, he was startled to see Anuhea creeping up.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Wondering where the hell you are,” Anuhea snapped.
“I’m right here.”
She snorted in derision. “Are you done fooling around yet?”
“Just a second. I wanted to leave a note for Keanu and Kaholo, just in case they do come looking for us.”
Surprise registered on Anuhea’s face and her posture relaxed.
“Okay, good idea,” she said after a moment.
Ben looked around for something. His eyes were drawn by a blue shirt and bright red hat. He grabbed a garden gnome from the neighbor’s garden and ran over to the remains of his mom’s house.
“You killed all these?” Anuhea asked.
“Yeah,” Ben said, absently.
He set the note underneath the gnome on what used to be the front steps of his house. He used his foot to scrape up a pile of ash and bits of wood and metal to keep the gnome from tipping over. Ben doubted the last few attackers would return, so he wasn’t too worried about them reading the note. If their friends ever showed up he didn’t want them to think they had died in the fire.
“I’m all done,” Ben said. He glanced around at the bodies of the infected he’d killed. A chill ran down his spine, making his shoulders quake.
“Finally,” Anuhea said.
“Let’s get to SportsMart,” Ben said, as they started to jog back to the vehicles. “And then get the hell out of town.”
98
The SportsMart parking lot teemed with infected. Sitting across from the store, at the intersection with Mill Plain, Ben feared they might be out of luck. The bone chilling groan of the horde was audible above the rumble of the truck engine.
Good thing I was paying attention, Ben thought.
The infected had yet to spot them. He cocked an eyebrow as an idea struck him. One they had used before in a similar situation.
Ben climbed out of the truck, leaving it running and slowly walked back to the SUVs.
Anuhea’s face was a storm. “What is it now?”
From the back of their mini-convoy, it was clear she couldn’t see the problem. Yet as soon as she said it, she heard the moaning of the dead. Realization dawned in her eyes and her expression relaxed. His mom had also rolled down her window. Oliver stared at Ben through the window with big eyes.
Ben held a finger to his lips.
“As you can hear, there’s a massive herd of infected in parking lot,” Ben said as soft as he could and still be heard. He looked to Anuhea. “I want you two to stay here while I lure them away, like what we did at the hospital.”
Nancy’s eyes narrowed. “Can’t we just go somewhere else?”
“This is the best place. The closest place and we don’t know if it’ll be easier somewhere else. BigMart on 192nd is probably just a screwed as the one by I-205. There’s so much great gear inside. No one else has the same selection of things we need,” Ben said in a low, insistent voice. “It’s worth the risk. Just stay here, okay? I’ll lead them off and then circle back around.”
His mom was reluctant but finally said, “Okay.”
“Turn off the engines to save gas but stay alert in case you need to move. Don’t let infected or others sneak up on you.” Ben thought for a moment. “It’ll take me a while because there are so many infected.”
“How long?” Anuhea asked. Chadwick listened quietly from the back seat with a rifle across his lap.
“What time does the clock in your car say?”
“It’s a little past seven.”
“That’s too damned early to be up,” Ben said with a shake of his head. “Just to be safe, give me an hour. If I’m not back by then, go to our meeting spot at the Amboy Corner Market. You can’t miss it.”
“You better make it back. Don’t leave me here with your grieving mother.” Anuhea gave him a sharp look.
His mom scowled but didn’t seem to have a better idea. “Be safe and hurry back.”
“Deal,” Ben said. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Son.”