“So what’s the plan?” Benji asked.
“I’m thinking we should try to stop in Santa Barbara. Look for gas and food.”
“Jackson is from Santa Barbara,” he said.
“Oh yeah?” I thought he was just making conversation.
“He’s got a mansion on the beach,” Benji said. “I saw it in People magazine. It’s in an exclusive gated community. The whole neighborhood is probably deserted.”
It’s not a half bad idea, I thought. Rich areas would have loads of supplies and weapons. Who knows? Maybe we can even clean up and take turns sleeping.
“Do you think you can remember how to get there?” I asked as Benji’s eyes went wide with excitement.
“Sure I can,” he said. “This is gonna be awesome!”
Benji could barely contain himself the rest of the way. We made good time passing through Gaviota and Isla Vista without incident, and saw only a few stalled and empty cars. In Buellton I was tempted to stop for gas but saw zombies milling about in the weeds near the side of the road and knew it was too risky. Benji saw them too but he didn’t say anything. We were both beyond exhausted.
They look just like migrant workers from the fields, I thought. Only I know no one works the land anymore. For a minute it made me think of how good things used to be. We never really appreciated it until it was all gone. We were always looking for something better, the new thing to get into. Now I’d give anything to just have things go back to the way they used to be—even for one day!
The canyons winding down to Santa Barbara were idyllic and empty. We pulled into town and Benji guided me off the freeway and up a hill to an area with a cliff that overlooked the ocean. We made a couple of loops through the abandoned area looking for the entrance to the neighborhood where Benji’s idol lived. It was like the world had never ended. We were just two exhausted kids looking for a rock star’s mansion so we could get an autograph. Eventually, we found the gates that led to his small plot of heaven.
“This is it,” Benji said confidently.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“No doubt about it,” he replied.
The electricity was out on the call box. We had to leave the Escalade behind and go on foot, climbing over the fence. It made me uneasy to be on foot out in the open. You never knew when you were going to be cornered by a small horde of flesh eaters.
A lot of these homes are only used in the summer, I told myself. Rich people buy them for the real estate investment and then they sit here unused all year long. What a waste.
Benji led us down a curving side street to a house with a large metal gate with the Ever Rest band logo on the front. This was Jackson’s mansion. No mistaking it. I laced my fingers together and helped Benji over the wall by letting him step into my hands and boosting him up and over. Slinging my katana on my back, I scaled the bricks on the side of the gate and swung myself up. The front door was locked and I sure didn’t feel like trying to bash it in.
We walked around the side and into the backyard. There was an infinity pool that appeared to run off into the ocean. Benji sat down on some of the patio furniture and began taking his shoes off. He had blisters covering both sides of his feet, but nothing too serious.
“You wanna check the house before we relax?”
“I’m really tired,” Benji said. “I think the Red Bull is wearing off.”
“That and the adrenaline,” I said.
“I just want to dip my feet in the pool.” He sounded defeated. “Catch my breath for a second.”
“That sounds like a great plan,” I said, yanking off my boots and peeling off my socks. I rolled up my jeans until they were well past my knees, then waded onto the top step of the pool. The temperature was already rising outside and the cool of the water felt decadent against my feet and calves. Benji hurriedly rolled up his pants and joined me, letting out a satisfied sigh as his feet went under.
“That’s amazing,” he said, breathing out the words like a long, relaxed sigh.
“Yeah,” I said, staring across at the ocean. “And the view doesn’t hurt either.”
“Can you imagine living like this?”
“Lifestyles of the rich and famous,” I chirped in my best British accent, trying to sound like Robin Leach.
“I’m not saying he didn’t earn it,” Benji added quickly, wanting to preserve the image he had of his favorite musician. “It’s just epic. I wonder how many famous people he’s had in this pool?”
Benji’s words trailed off. We sat in silence for a long time, splashing water with our feet, thinking about the perfect life that Jackson Everrest had once lived and knowing in our hearts that this was only a tiny part of it.
“It’s getting hot,” I said, standing up again.
Benji didn’t budge. He stared defiantly at me as if to say he had no intention of leaving.
I unbuckled my belt and took my pants off. I folded them in a ball and set them off on the grass, along with my sword and my shirt. Without further warning I jumped into the pool in just my boxers, making a loud splash. At first there was the shock of being fully submerged in cool water, but it quickly changed to bliss.
“I can’t believe you did that!” Benji stood up and was yelling at me. My impromptu cannonball had sprayed him good. He had water dripping from his hair and all down his shirt.
“You’re free to get me back,” I said. “Unless you’re too chicken?”
Benji peeled off his clothes down to his boxers as fast as he could then jumped in, narrowly missing me with his feet. We got into a loud, splashing contest for about five minutes that ended with us both laughing hysterically. It was great having him around. In a lot of ways he had become like my kid brother.
“Truce,” I said.
“No way,” Benji replied with another hand splash aimed at my face. “I win!”
“Okay,” I said. “Don’t be a spaz. You win.”
The chlorine was burning my eyes. I closed and wiped them, trying to restore my vision.
“Xander?” Benji’s voice sounded strange but I couldn’t see him. That last shower of water had gotten me good.
“Hold on a minute, Benji,” I said. “I think I got something in my eyes.”
I swam under the surface of the pool and opened my eyes. I loved the way it felt to be fully submerged in the water—like I was floating. When I came up, I saw Benji standing in the shallow end with his hair dripping water all over himself and his hands thrust high in the air. Just past him on the patio was a very familiar looking teenage girl pointing a shotgun straight at him.
“Who are you people and what do you want?” she said, turning from Benji to me.
I held my hands up and smiled. I couldn’t help it. The girl threatening to kill us if we didn’t give an answer that she liked was none other than Felicity Jane.
Chapter Fourteen
“What are you smiling about?” she fumed, turning on me.
“Nothing,” I said. “I just wasn’t expecting . . .”
“What?” she said fiercely, fear in her voice. “A girl with a shotgun?”
“A celebrity. I mean a reality television star. Guess we’re all on our own version of reality TV now.”
“If you’re trying to convince me not to shoot you,” she said, cocking her head to the side, “you are doing a really bad job.”
“I’m Xander. And this is Benji.”
“Are you stalking me? Is that why you’re here?”
“A little full of yourself,” I scoffed, “aren’t you? We didn’t even know you’d be here so how could we be stalking you?”
“Then why are you here?” She waved the gun around, aiming first at me and then at Benji.
“Could you put that thing down?” I was starting to get ticked off. “Please, before you hurt someone.”
“Not until you explain what you’re doing here.”
“Okay,” I said. “No need to go psycho on us.”
“Start talking,” she threatened, turning the gun fully at me
.
“We’re heading south to Hueneme. Our place got overrun by a zombie horde. We’ve had a really crazy couple of days on the road. We just need a place to relax and recharge.”
“So why did you come here?”
“Benji is a big fan of Ever Rest,” I explained. “He remembered the location from a magazine article he read. We thought this area would be less populated, meaning fewer zombies to fight off. Most of these rich people don’t even live in these mansions full time anyway.”
“We never thought anyone would actually still be here,” Benji added.
Felicity lowered the shotgun at last. A puzzled look came over her face. “Hueneme?” She scratched her head. “I don’t get it.”
“His brother is a big shot in the armed forces,” Benji said. “He’s stationed there.”
“We had some trouble coming down,” I said. “We’re exhausted. If we could just sleep for a while, maybe rummage for some supplies, we’ll be on our way.”
She stared at us for a minute, thinking.
“We’ll have to ask Jax, but I’m pretty sure he won’t mind. He has more than enough rooms, even for uninvited guests.” She practically hissed the last part of the sentence.
“Jackson is here?” Benji’s mouth hung open in surprise.
“Yeah, but he’s sick. I wouldn’t get your hopes up that he’ll perform a personal concert for you.” Sarcasm dripped from every word as she spoke.
At least she’s not pointing a shotgun at us anymore, I thought.
“You said he’s sick. Be honest. Is he infected?” I asked.
She turned her full rage on me. “No he isn’t,” she practically screamed. “He’s just sick. Okay?”
“Okay,” I said, holding my hands up for fear she might shoot me. “Chill out. We’re your guests. Be cool.”
“Then act like guests instead of intruders. You can start by getting dressed.”
“Um,” I said, looking a little lost.
“What is it now?”
“We didn’t really bring towels to this pool party.”
“You were just planning on drying out in the sun?”
“Actually, we were so happy to see a clean pool we didn’t really think much at all,” Benji said, jumping in and saving me.
Instantly Felicity softened. Benji has that affect on people. Yet again, I was really glad he was with me.
“I’ll get you some,” she offered. But then she turned and glared at me like I was an enemy. “Wait here.”
She walked back into the mansion leaving us alone.
“Dude,” Benji said. “I can’t believe it’s actually her!”
“I know,” I confided. “I can’t believe how mean she is in real life. This was not what I was expecting at all.”
“What is it with you two?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s like on one level you’re both fighting and saying rude things to each other,” Benji began, “and then on another level something else is going on.”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” I said. “I think the sleep deprivation is getting to you. Quiet, here she comes.”
Felicity came back with large, ultra fluffy towels that smelled like roses. It was like we had died and gone to heaven. Benji and I quickly toweled off and redressed, ditching our boxers and going commando while they dried out in the sun. When we were back in our jeans, Felicity led us into the house. There was a large kitchen with huge windows that looked out onto the ocean and pool. To the side of that was a huge living room with several big flat screen television sets and a couple of super comfy looking couches. There were pictures of lightning striking the ocean hanging all over the walls. They looked like the ones people used to sell prints of at the mall, only fancier because they were real. In the middle of the room were several guitars and an amp, right next to a video game console.
“Follow me,” Felicity said, leading us down a long hallway deeper into the house. Platinum albums with sales numbers in glass cases lined the walls, along with pictures of Jackson with famous people like former President Bill Clinton and Bono. We passed a couple of guest rooms with the doors barely cracked. There was also a small, normal looking office and a studio space.
“That’s his private studio, but believe it or not he usually writes in the living room.”
Felicity Jane is playing tour guide for us as she takes us to meet Jackson Everrest, I mused. Maybe we died back in New Lompoc. It would make more sense. I’m sitting in the truck with a bullet from Tank’s gun in my head, bleeding to death right now while ravenous zombies tear me apart and Benji screams bloody murder. There is no way I am actually here!
“How many people are staying with you?” Benji asked, snapping me out of my twisted fantasy.
“It’s just Jax and me right now,” Felicity said.
“Are you dating?” Benji looked up at her innocently and she smiled. I was glad he asked. I was just as curious about that as he was, but after the way she took everything I said wrong I didn’t plan on asking her myself.
“No.” She laughed. “Jax is a close friend, like a brother.”
“Does he know he’s in the friend zone?” I asked, trying to be funny. I regretted saying it even before she turned her head and gave me an evil glare—a glare that felt like she had physically punched me in the guts.
“Jax can date anyone he wants,” she said. “Our relationship is special because we’ve never tried to be anything more than friends. Just because I’m an emancipated minor doesn’t change the fact that I am sixteen and he is twenty-four. Why am I explaining all this to you?”She threw her hands up in disgust.”I don’t owe you anything.”
“I’m sorry,” I confessed. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I am really tired and I was just trying to be funny. I’m an idiot. Please forgive me.”
She fought back tears. I had hit a real nerve but I couldn’t see why. I really needed to learn to keep my trap shut. Felicity Jane was one of the few celebrities I’d had a crush on and now that I was finally meeting her in person, I couldn’t seem to stop putting my foot in my mouth.
“I didn’t mean to snap at you,” she said. “I shouldn’t take my stress out on you. You gotta understand that you are the first living people I’ve talked to other than Jackson since Z-Day happened.”
“You don’t need to apologize to us,” I said, cautiously reaching out and putting my hand on her shoulder to comfort her. “We came barging in unannounced and I have been kind of a jerk. I promise I will mind my manners from here on out. No more excuses.”
She laughed as tears streaked down her face.
“You have been kind of a jerk,” she said, wiping her face. “Thanks for that.”
Benji looked back and forth from her to me like a confused dog. To be honest, I didn’t really know what was going on either. I just stood there awkwardly with my hand on her shoulder for too long. I stepped back to give her some space and she took a deep breath.
“I’ve gotta check on him first,” Felicity said. “Hang back and wait for me to call you in. Okay?”
“Got it,” I answered.
Felicity opened the large doors at the end of the hallway. Inside, it was dark and cool. I could make out a huge bed but not much else. The sound of the ocean was mixed with some kind of chanting coming from somewhere inside the room. She left the door cracked slightly as she went in. It seemed strange just standing there, but I was determined not to do anything else to set her off.
Eventually she came back, stepping out and shutting the door behind her. Benji looked crushed.
“He says you can stay as long as you like. There are guest rooms you can sleep in. Most of them have clothes in them. You’re welcome to help yourself to whatever you need, including food and water from the kitchen.”
“Do you have hot running water?”
“No,” she said. “We still get cold water from the faucet and it’s clean, for now. The toilets still flush, but there is no way to know how long
that will last. It’s not like someone is working at the sewage plant anymore. I think we’re just lucky that most of this neighborhood is abandoned, like you said.”
“What about drinking water?”
“Jackson has a huge supply,” she explained. “We moved it to the kitchen after things quieted down.”
“From where?” I asked.
“From the panic room,” she pointed out. “We were in there for over a week. Once the electricity went out, we decided to get out. They say you can’t get stuck in there but your mind starts to play tricks on you in small spaces like that.”
“You must be running pretty low on supplies.”
“Not really,” she said. “Jackson was raised Mormon.”
“I knew that,” Benji said, proud of himself.
“I don’t get it,” I said. “What does that mean?”
“It means he kept a stockpile of food and water hidden in the house,” she said. “Mormons believe in being prepared for the end of the world. They will probably play a role in rebuilding the country if the military ever gets things under control. Jackson left the church when he was fifteen but old habits die hard, as they say.”
I was growing more tired by the second. Now that I knew we could actually relax and rest, it was like my body was rebelling against me.
“What do you do about lighting? What I mean is, do you use candles?” I yawned. I didn’t feel like waking up in pitch black in an unfamiliar place, even if it was a mansion.
“Sometimes,” she said. “If it’s overcast. The stars provide a lot of light, believe it or not. We have a backup generator that’s capable of providing plenty of electricity, but Jackson doesn’t like to use it at night. He’s worried that light will bring looters or zombies.”
“That’s actually really smart,” I said.
“You look exhausted.”
“I am.”
“Go ahead and crash out,” Felicity suggested. “We can talk more when you get up.”
I was happy to have an excuse to go lie down. I was almost feeling dizzy.
“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll take this room.” I cracked open the door to see that it was beach-themed with soft shades of blue.
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