With a sigh, Corina rested her forehead against her knees. “We could stay here...”
“Do you want to?” Tiny stabs of guilt poked at his conscience. Was it fair for him to encourage his friends to leave the safety of the town and venture into a world filled with zombies?
“I know they say it’s safe here, but it doesn’t feel like it,” Corina admitted.
Josh had to agree with her. After what they’d seen in the last few days, it was hard to trust in makeshift barricades. “It won’t be safer out there, you know.”
“But if we make it to an actual FEMA camp with soldiers protecting us, that will be safer.” Corina shrugged. “Besides, I trust you. If you think we can make it, I believe you more than anyone else. Daisy hasn’t even killed a zombie yet.”
Her words meant a lot to him, and Josh hoped she couldn’t see how red his cheeks were in the dim light.
Voices outside the door drew their attention. Signaling Corina to be quiet, Josh slid off the bed and tip-toed to the door. Pressing his ear against it, he heard people speaking in the hallway. Corina joined him, and together they listened. The conversation grew a little louder, and Josh suspected Daisy and Nathan had stopped outside the door.
“I asked you on a date. Not to take care of a bunch of kids,” Nathan said, sounding sad.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m okay with all of this. Really,” Daisy answered.
“Are you sure? You went from having no kids to a house full of them.”
“I’m sure. After what you told me about what you saw... all those children at the school turned into zombies... I’m fine with this. Plus, they’re good kids. And if we’re lucky, this will soon be under control, and maybe some of them will find their parents alive. You found Sam.”
“Do you really think we’ll win this thing, Daisy?”
“I have to. Why else would we be fighting?”
“Yeah. I just hate that these kids have been through so much. I’m not even sure how to act around them. It doesn’t feel like business as usual, does it?”
“Not at all. Nothing feels right.”
“I’m just glad we’re here together.”
“So am I. I’m worried about the boys. They got so badly beaten up,” Daisy said. “Let me check on the boys, since the girls locked the guest room door probably to keep out zombies. I want to make sure they’re sleeping okay.”
Corina immediately scurried across the room and laid flat on the other side of the pull-out bed. Josh slid back into his spot on the mattress and had barely shut his eyes when the door opened. He tried to make his breathing seem deep and natural, but his heart was pounding.
“Passed out just like Sam,” Nathan whispered. “They had a rough day.”
“Maybe now they can just be kids, and leave the rough stuff to us.”
The door quietly shut.
Josh remained still for another minute or so before daring to open his eyes to make sure the coast was clear. As he sat up, Corina climbed to her feet.
“That was close,” Troy said from under the covers.
Josh poked his friend. “You’re awake and listening in?”
Troy’s face appeared from under the comforter. “Yeah, but I thought you were going to... uh...” His dark eyes flicked to Corina, and smiled nervously before mouthing to Josh, kiss her.
“Josh isn’t my boyfriend,” she said, smacking the lump that was Troy’s legs under the covers.
Corina resumed her perch while Josh tried very, very hard not to look hurt.
“Hey, I gotta have my boy’s back,” Troy replied defensively. “I didn’t mean anything bad.”
Eyes downcast, she sighed. “I know, Troy. I had a boyfriend, and now I don’t. I don’t want one right now.”
“I’m really sorry about what happened to Brad,” Josh said, and he meant it.
“Me too,” Troy chimed in.
Corina went back to tugging on her hair nervously. “I was going to break up with Brad, you know.”
“Seriously?” Troy sat upright, intrigued.
“Yeah. He was too old for me. He kept wanting me to...” Corina looked embarrassed. “You know.”
“Brad didn’t make you do stuff, right? Like Chad wanted you to?” Josh asked, concerned.
“No, no. He wanted me to act older. Do stuff like make out. I’m okay with maybe kissing a little, but he tried to put his whole tongue in my mouth.” She waggled her tongue. “It kinda grossed me out. I told him that. He backed down, but I didn’t feel the same after that.”
Troy flinched. “That’s gross. Why do adults do that?”
Josh always avoided watching his parents kiss, so he didn’t have an answer.
“I guess they like it?” Corina shrugged. “I really liked him, but it was too much.”
“I’m sorry that Brad died, Corina,” Josh said, and meant it.
“Me too. He was nice. Just too old for me.” Corina hugged her legs closer to her chest. “My mom kept telling me he was too old for me, but I didn’t listen to her. She liked him, but she was worried. She was right. The other day at school, when I came back from lunch before the zombies showed up, I knew I needed to break up with him.”
“Wow,” Troy whispered, completely intrigued. But then again, Josh knew his friend had a love for reality television shows he’d watch with his mom.
“Corina, I’m not asking you to be my girlfriend,” Josh said cautiously. “I really like you a lot, and you’re my friend.”
“I know. It’s just everyone keeps saying stuff.”
“I won’t anymore,” Troy vowed. “But Sam might.”
Corina giggled and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Sam totally will.”
“Are you really going to have Sam get the smartphone?” Troy asked.
Josh nodded. “It’s the only way we’ll be able to figure out what to do next. I know you guys like it here, but I really want to get to my dad.”
“Corina’s right, you know, Josh. This place doesn’t feel safe. They’re trying to protect too much land.”
Troy had it right. That’s what was bothering Josh. “Yeah, it’s not like the Fort in As The World Dies, right?”
Troy nodded solemnly. “Walls, Josh. They need walls.”
“I’ll talk to Sam in the morning when I can. Then we’ll plan.” Corina slipped from the bed.
Behind them, Danny let out a loud snort, then continued snoring.
For some reason, that made them laugh.
Surprising the boys, Corina leaned over and kissed Troy on the cheek, then hugged Josh tight.
“I love you guys,” she said emotionally. “I really do.”
Josh breathed in the scent of her hair and smiled into her neck. “Love you, too, Corina.”
“Me, too, Corina,” Troy said patting her back.
“Okay, enough of that. Tomorrow we make things happen.” She pulled away and tip-toed to the door. She opened it a crack, made sure the coast was clear, then slipped out.
“She’s a cool girl,” Troy declared.
“The coolest.”
“And she likes you. Just give her time.”
“And how do you know that?”
“I know because I’ve seen this same thing on my shows. Trust me.” Troy burrowed under the covers again, yawning. “She just doesn’t like people trying to set her up with you.”
“Oh.” Josh snuggled into his pillow wondering if Troy was right. Even if Corina was never his girlfriend, he knew he’d love her forever. He was okay with her just being a friend because he really liked her a lot.
“You’re gonna grow up and marry her. Have babies. Stuff like that,” Troy muttered. “You’re the hero, Josh. You get the happy ending.”
Josh wasn’t too sure about that, but he liked the idea.
A few minutes later, the door creaked open again. Josh pretended to be asleep until someone shook him by the shoulder.
“Josh, Josh,” Sam whispered.
Opening his eyes, Josh was surprised to find Sam standing
next to the bed with a pillow and blanket. “Josh, can I sleep in here with you guys?”
“There’s not much room,” Josh answered.
“I can sleep at the end, right?” Sam pointed to the spot below the boys’ feet.
“You might get kicked, but sure.”
“Thanks, Josh.”
“Don’t you want to be with your dad?” Josh asked as Sam crawled onto the bed.
“I’d rather be with you guys,” Sam answered. “Besides, my dad keeps getting up and checking to make sure we’re safe. I think he even went and kissed Daisy!”
Amused, Josh curled onto his side. That would explain the adults hanging out in the hallway.
“Anyway, I’m a Zombie Hunter. I should stick with you guys. Just in case zombies come,” Sam pulled his blanket over his body.
“Shut up, Sam,” Troy ordered from under the covers. “I’m trying to sleep here.”
“Okay, sorry.” Sam obediently closed his eyes.
As Josh waited for sleep to come, he heard the pop of gunfire in the distance.
In this world, it was a comforting sound.
Chapter 15
When Josh entered the kitchen the next morning, Sam was already at the table shoving pancakes dripping with syrup into his mouth. Corina and Dulce sat next to him serving themselves from the pile of pancakes and bacon in the middle of the table. Meanwhile, Nathan stood at the stove watching over another pancake bubbling in a skillet with a spatula clutched in one hand.
“This is good. Really good,” Troy said, rubbing his hands together as he brushed past Josh to join the others at the table.
“Take a seat, and grab the grub,” Nathan ordered.
Everyone was dressed in their old clothes. Someone must have brought the clothing over from Daisy’s mother’s place. The kids had awakened to find their folded clothes stacked on the counter in the bathroom. It was good to be in his own clothing again, but at the same time it felt like a sign. Josh had tossed and turned for most of the night, unsure of the choices he was making. But seeing his friends looking like they had on their journey to Pious, Texas made him feel more secure in his plans. They’d made it this far. Together, they could make it to San Angelo and the airlift.
“Look, Josh! My dad cut my hair. I look like him now!” Sam ran his hand over his newly shorn head.
Nathan leaned over to press his head close to Sam’s. “Had to do something about his hair. Since he whacked a bunch off the top already.”
“I had to cut it so the zombie wouldn’t eat me,” Sam mumbled around a mouthful of food.
Josh noticed Nathan had buzz cut his hair, too. It was how Jamie Rondell had worn his hair right after he returned from the war. As time went on, he’d let it grow longer and grown a beard. Josh’s mom had said it was him putting distance between his military life and home life. Now Jamie was right back in the thick of a new war. Josh wondered if his beard and long hair were gone now. The thought of his dad made his chest tight.
“Yeah, looks real good,” Josh said finally. “Like soldiers.”
“My dad is the sheriff and I’m a zombie hunter,” Sam said happily.
Nathan added another pancake to the stack on the table. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, but his badge was hooked to his belt. “Where’s Danny?”
“Showering. He was the last to get up,” Josh answered.
Dulce rolled her eyes. “He sleeps all the time.”
The breakfast was really good, and Josh had a second serving. There wasn’t much conversation since they were busy stuffing food into their mouths. Again, Josh struggled not to feel guilty about taking his friends away from a place with soft beds, good food, and people that were at least trying to protect the town. If his dad and brother were here, he’d be nervous about the town defenses, but would stay. Was he being selfish?
Sipping orange juice, Josh watched Dulce munching on a piece of bacon. Her mom was alive, too, so he wasn’t being completely selfish in wanting to go to San Angelo. Unless Dulce didn’t want to go, and then it would be all on his shoulders.
Danny entered the dining area, dragging his feet sluggishly.
“About time you joined us,” Nathan said, then sipped his coffee.
“I kept waking up,” Danny complained taking the chair next to his cousin. Heaping pancakes onto his plate, he said, “I kept waking up because I heard voices and shooting.”
Corina gave Josh a worried look, but he gave her a reassuring smile. He was sure Danny wouldn’t tell on them if he’d heard any of the conversation.
“You heard that, huh?” Nathan set his coffee mug down.
“Uh huh.” Danny poured syrup over his pancakes. “What was it?”
Clasping his hands together, Nathan swept his gaze over the kids as though trying to read their expressions.
“Zombies?” Sam asked fearfully.
“Kids, I know you saw a lot when you were out there, but we’ve got it handled.”
“What was it?” Corina demanded, her voice sharp. “Did zombies get too close? Did they get into town?”
With a weary sigh, Nathan crossed his arms and set them on the edge of the table. “Some infected people tried to force their way into town. They were desperate and afraid. We had to keep them out for everyone’s safety, so they tried to force their way inside. They did some serious damage to our barricades, and there were some... deaths.”
“You killed them?” Troy gasped.
“Not me. I was here. With you. But the patrol last night had to defend the town.”
“The people were killed,” Corina said, staring at Nathan. “Right?”
Rubbing his hand over his very short hair, Nathan nodded. “Yeah. They were killed. I know that sounds bad to you kids—”
“No. That’s good,” Troy responded. “You have to keep the infected out. If you let one person in with a bite, it’s game over.”
Nathan looked shocked. “That’s a little cold.”
“It’s the way it has to be.” Josh shrugged. “They were as good as dead anyway. You have to keep the living safe.”
Nathan gaped at the kids, obviously surprised.
“How much damage did they do to the barricades?” Corina asked.
“We’re dealing with it,” Nathan assured her. “Just don’t worry about it. Eat your breakfast.”
“How bad?” Danny persisted. “Like, so bad zombies can get in?”
Breathing heavily, clearly unnerved, Sam wailed, “Dad,!I thought we’re safe here!”
“You are safe here, Sam. They’re fixing the barricade.” Nathan’s voice had the sharp edge of a parent who didn’t like being doubted. “Trust me.”
“You’re trying to protect way too much land. You gotta pick one section of the town, and fortify it.” Troy shook his head with disapproval.
Looking uncomfortable with the conversation, Nathan scooted his chair back. “Well, that’s what we’re doing.”
“Does that mean we don’t get to live in this house?” Sam asked worriedly.
“You’ll be happy to know that this neighborhood is included in the area we’ve decided to protect because it already has fencing, but we still need to work on the street barricades.”
“Good, cause they kinda sucked,” Troy said honestly.
Josh tried not to laugh.
“Yeah. Not so good,” Dulce agreed.
Frowning, Nathan obviously felt outgunned by the kids. “Well, because of what went down last night, there’s a slight change of plans today. As soon as we’re done with breakfast, I’m taking you to the Rec Center.”
“No way! Chad is there!” Sam protested.
Corina’s hands balled into fists, and Josh rested his hand on her shoulder.
“Chad is bad news,” Josh said.
“I know that. There are guards at the Rec Center. If he tries to start trouble, they’ll deal with him,” Nathan promised.
“He’s stupid. And mean,” Dulce said. “He will cause trouble.”
With a sigh of exaspe
ration, Nathan leaned over his chair, gripping the back of it. “Kids, I know you went through a lot out there with both the zombies and Chad. But you gotta trust that we got this covered.”
“At least you killed the infected people,” Troy grumbled.
“And are getting smart about defenses,” Josh said.
“That’s something at least,” Danny added.
“I’m so glad you approve,” Nathan said, obviously peeved.
“It’s not your fault you’re not smart about zombies. Adults never are,” Troy said, shrugging.
“Seriously?” Nathan gave them a look of disbelief.
“Adults are dumb in zombie movies,” Sam said helpfully.
“Well, this isn’t a zombie movie. And the adults aren’t dumb. We’re doing our best.” Nathan straightened and shook his head with annoyance and amusement. “You gotta give us a break here.”
“We’re just scared,” Corina mumbled.
“Yeah, dude.” Danny munched on a piece of bacon. “Yesterday we were supposed to be safe when the convoy stopped for gas. That did not work out so well.”
“Dad, what if the zombies are coming?” Sam asked worriedly.
“It’s going to be okay. I promise,” Nathan answered.
Josh knew he was lying.
“Can I...” Sam looked close to crying. “Can I have your phone?”
“Why, son?”
“So I can read the news... and... stuff,” Sam faltered.
“You said there’s going to be an app that shows where the zombies are. Maybe it will come out today.” Corina bit her bottom lip, looking down like she was scared. Josh wondered if she was playacting.
“Yeah, that way we can see if there are a lot of zombies around, or not,” Troy said helpfully.
“I’m scared, Dad. I don’t want the zombies getting us,” Sam said, very close to blubbering.
“It’s not a toy. It’s real news about what’s going on. It might scare you,” Nathan replied.
“I’m already scared,” Sam answered, and this was obviously true. “I just wanna see what the government is doing. I wanna see the zombie radar.”
Nathan pulled out his smartphone and stared at the screen. With a weary sigh, he handed it to Sam. “Okay, fine. Be careful with this. The new app downloads in a few hours, so don’t keep it on all the time. Don’t run out the battery. I want all you kids to look at this and realize just how serious the situation is, and that the adults are doing their very best to fix it. You need to trust us.”
The Living Dead Boy (Book 3): Journey Across Zombie Texas Page 9