“Good luck, man.”
Bryce stepped into the water and swore under his breath. Even though it was in the middle of the summer, the river’s water was still chilly.
“Cold?”
He waded further into the murky water. “Very,” he said through clenched teeth. He then launched forward and began swimming toward the yacht, which was about three hundred yards away. He tried to ignore the smell of the water as it splashed against his face. Although he was no ecologist, he knew there was definitely something wrong with the river. Not only was it the wrong color, but it smelled like iron.
“Bryce!”
He stopped swimming and turned back to find both Billie and now Paige, both standing on the embankment, waving their arms frantically.
Dammit, he thought, planting his feet on a sandbank. Why can’t one of these girls just do what they’re told for once!
“Zombie!” hollered Billie.
Bryce turned around and found himself face to face with one. Gasping, he pulled his fist back and delivered a hard punch to the creature’s nose, shattering any remaining bone and cartilage not yet decomposed. Then, before the zombie could retaliate, he threw himself back into the water and began swimming toward the boat once more. When he reached the back of the yacht, he climbed onto the swimming platform, took a few seconds to catch his breath, and then stepped onto the deck.
“Hello?” he called, knocking on the sliding glass door. When nobody answered, he pulled it open, stepped inside, and searched the impressive boat. Unfortunately, it appeared to have been abandoned.
Sighing, he turned to leave the galley when something caught his eye. A note taped to the refrigerator that said:
Went in search of supplies. If you are a stranger, please be respectful to our boat and we’ll share what we have. If you’re family, take off your shoes and stay awhile! We’ll try to hurry - XOXO
Sighing, he rubbed a hand over his face, wondering what to do. They certainly couldn’t wait around for Cassie’s family to show up. It might not ever happen with all the shit going down.
Noticing the pen, he quickly scribbled a message of his own on the same note:
Cassie,
If you get this, we’ll be at your grandparents’ for the next couple of days. Come find us.
Love,
Bryce
Sighing, he walked out of the galley, through the boat’s salon, and out the back, closing the sliding glass door. When he turned back around, he found himself looking right into a double-barreled shotgun.
14
Allie and Kylie
“Wait, you guys. I just can’t walk any further,” said Allie. “My feet are seriously killing me.”
“We need to keep moving,” said Justice, turning around, walking backwards on the pavement. “I think there’s a house over that next hill.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You say that before every hill.”
The side of his lip went up. “One of these times, I’ll be right.”
She stopped, took off her pink canvas shoes, and examined her heels in alarm. “See, they’re both raw from blisters.”
Justice walked back and stared at her ankles. “It’s your own fault for wearing such cheap tennis shoes and no socks.”
“It’s not like I had a lot of choice in the matter,” she muttered. “The only other ones I had were left in the truck we abandoned back at that parking ramp. The one you said was too dangerous to return to. So if anything, it’s your fault.”
“Well, it wasn’t like I planned this hike,” he said. “We just got stuck with the wrong truck.”
“Hey, you guys, someone’s coming!” cried Allie.
They both turned to stare at the large pair of headlights heading toward them in the distance.
“It’s a semi,” said Justice. “You girls get behind those trees over there. I’ll see if they stop.”
The girls ran toward the dark woods and hid behind a large oak tree as the truck got closer. When it slowed down and finally came to a stop, Justice walked up to it.
“Hey, kid,” smiled the passenger, a man who looked to be in his late twenties. “You need a ride?”
The dark-haired man had a friendly enough smile but there was something about him that seemed off.
“Maybe. Where you heading?” asked Justice.
“Oh, here and there,” he replied, scratching his scruffy chin. “What about you?”
“Minnesota.”
“You have a long way to go.”
Justice chuckled. “Tell me about it.”
“Well, you’re in luck because we’ll be passing through that way. Have some business to take care of in Canada. You may as well join us.”
“You don’t mind?” asked Justice.
“Hell no,” said the man. “In fact, it’s your lucky day, kid. We’ve got space as well as food and water. That’s why we’re using this rig.” He grinned and patted the outside of the door. “It came fully supplied with life’s little necessities.”
Truth be told, he was parched and the thought of water made his mouth feel even drier. “So, what about your friend in the cab – he okay with this? Sharing a ride and some of your supplies with a stranger?”
The man turned to the driver and said something, then turned back. “He said to get in, time’s a-wasting.”
Justice turned toward the woods, wondering if he was making the right choice. Plus, they still didn’t know about the girls.
“Your friends are also welcome,” said the driver, leaning over to the open window. He smiled warmly. “We have plenty to spare and would be honored if you’d all joined us.”
He stared back at the red-haired man and wondered how he’d known about the girls.
***
Five minutes later, Justice sat between the two men while the girls rode in the back sleeping compartment.
“So, what’s your name?” asked the dark-haired man, who was a lot bigger than Justice had originally thought.
“Justice.”
“I’m Travis,” said the driver. “And that’s Dwayne. Glad you could join us.”
“Uh, sure. Thanks for inviting us.”
“So, where’d you hook up with those two girls?” asked Dwayne, his eyes glittering with a little too much interest for a man his age.
Justice’s eyes narrowed when he noticed Dwayne’s teardrop tattoo. Having spent time in a tattoo shop, he was well aware of the symbolism of Dwayne’s tattoo. “Met them a few towns back. When did you get the tat?”
“Which one?” he chuckled, raising the bottom of his T-shirt until his inked torso was exposed. He had dozens of them – from dragons and skulls, to pierced hearts and black roses.
“I was talking about the one under your eye.”
Dwayne sighed. “Well, got that one a while back.”
“You kill someone?”
“Now, if I asked you that question right now, I am pretty sure we’d both have the same answer.”
“The people I kill are already dead,” said Justice.
He chuckled. “Well, the ones I’ve killed should have been.”
“Don’t worry about him,” interrupted Travis. “He won’t kill unless instructed to.”
Instructed to?
Justice tried to remain calm. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yes, his priorities have been,” he smiled, “adjusted.”
“Oh, well, that’s refreshing,” he answered. This conversation was both disturbing and crazy, he thought.
“Now, Justice, don’t get yourself all flustered. I have no issues with you at the moment. In fact, I believe you could be very helpful in our mission,” said Travis.
“Ah… what kind of a mission are we talking about, besides staying alive?”
“It’s a little complicated,” he answered. “And, I don’t think you’re quite ready to appreciate the enormity of our plans or your possible involvement. But something tells me you’ll step up to the plate when… properly persuaded.”
He frowned. “Is that
right?”
Travis smiled darkly. “Oh, yes. We’ve been watching you, Justice. You’re a good soldier, very dependable. The way you risked your life to help those two girls in the parking ramp. My master was quite impressed with your determination and fighting skills.”
“Your master? And… what the hell? Were you watching us?” asked Justice, tensing up. “You could have offered to help out a little if that was really the case.”
Travis laid a hand on his forearm. “Calm down,” he said in a hypnotically smooth voice. “Or you’ll scare your friends in the back. You don’t want that now, do you?”
Justice felt a strong wave of nausea and his lungs felt as if all the air had been sucked out. He attempted to pull his arm away from Travis’s firm grasp, but instead found himself immobile.
“Your fear,” hissed Travis, his eyes turning a golden-red hue, “is… intoxicating, I must admit. I wonder how exhilarating it would be if I were to tear the three of you from limb to limb, starting with the lovely little girls in back? Let you listen to their terrified screams and watch all of that sweet agony, all the while knowing that you’re next… hmm?”
Horrified, Justice tried to speak, but couldn’t move his mouth.
Travis went on, his strange eyes dancing with delight. “It would be quite fun for me, I assure you, but fortunately for you, we need you to help our cause.”
It was then that Justice noticed the truck was still moving forward on the road, on its own, without any help from Travis.
Who was this guy?
“Oh, I am one of your worst nightmares,” said Travis. “That’s all you need to know.”
I still don’t understand, thought Justice, staring in terror at Travis’s glowing eyes – they seemed to penetrate into his very soul. And why does he need me?
Because you’re an atheist, proclaimed the amused voice in his head, and we really like those.
15
Cassie
The nuns had generously offered us food, bottled water, and blankets for our journey. We had just finished loading the Honda with the items when I felt as if I was forgetting something else. I closed my eyes and did a mental list of what we’d need and what might still be missing, but just couldn’t put my finger on it.
“You’re leaving?”
I opened my eyes and turned around to find Kallie staring up at me with tears in her blue eyes.
“Yes,” I said, feeling a tug at my heart. I bent down on one knee. “I have to go look for my grandparents, and Nora needs to find her father.”
“Take me with you,” she pleaded, throwing her arms around me. “I’ll be good. I promise!”
I closed my eyes and hugged her back. “I can’t, honey,” I said, now feeling choked up myself. “It’s too dangerous out there for you. Heck, it’s too dangerous for us.”
“But you can’t leave me!” she cried, pulling away. “What if my mother wants to hug me, again?”
I groaned inwardly – me and my bright ideas. I shouldn’t have ever mentioned her mother. “Kallie, if your mother wants to hug you, she will. Whether it’s in the form of Sister Theresa or any one of the other nuns, you will get that hug. She doesn’t need me to do it.”
“But I felt something special when you hugged me! I’ve never felt that way with anyone else. You have to take me with you, Cassie. Please!”
Sister Francine stepped behind the young girl and put a hand on her shoulder. “Now, Kallie, you have to let Cassie get ready for her trip.”
“But she’s has to take me with her!” she cried, clutching me tighter.
“I just can’t, Kallie. It’s not safe.”
“What’s going on over here?” asked Henry, chewing on some kind of beef stick.
“Someone wants to come with,” I said, looking up at him.
His eyes softened. “Looks like you’ve made quite the impression here, Wild.”
I smiled. “Looks like.”
“You know, when we come back this way, we could pick her up and take her back to the hotel with us. There’s plenty of room. Hell, Belinda always wanted a little girl of her own – we’ll bring her back as a gift.”
“Oh, Henry. She isn’t a doll,” sighed the nun. “She’s a little girl who needs a family, a real family.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “Sister, as far as I’m concerned, we are a real family. A little unconventional, but we all look out for each other, try our best to keep one another safe. Seems to me this little girl has taken a fancy to one of our own, and obviously, vice-versa. It would be a shame to cause any more sorrow or pain in Kallie’s life, don’t you think?”
“Well, we all just want what’s best for her,” she replied.
“Well, good. Then, it’s settled. We’ll be picking her up on our way from Minnesota within the next week.”
“Did you hear that, Kallie?” I murmured, “We’ll be coming back for you real soon.”
She pulled away and stared into my eyes. “You promise?”
“I promise,” I said.
“You shouldn’t make promises you might not be able to keep,” said the nun, after Kallie had skipped off to tell her friends. “What if something happens to you?”
“Sister,” said Henry. “I’m surprised. Aren’t you the ones always encouraging others to have faith?”
She smiled. “Well, I guess you’ve got me there.”
16
Bryce
“Whoa,” said Bryce, raising his hands. “I’m friend, not foe. In fact, I know the Wild family.”
“Oh, sorry,” said the man, smiling broadly as he lowered the gun. “Wasn’t sure if you were here to steal from us or what your deal was. Name’s Tom,” he said, holding out his hand. “Tom Jones.”
“Bryce De Luca,” he answered, shaking it.
“So, kid, what are you doing out here?”
“Well, looking for Cassie and her grandparents, Steve and Irene Wild.”
“Unfortunately, they’ve left the city,” said Tom. “At least, Steve and Irene. I’m not sure about Cassie, haven’t seen her for a long time.”
“Where did Steve and Irene go?”
He sighed. “Well, they heard from their son Dave a couple of weeks ago and left for Atlanta – when the cell phones were still working. Haven’t seen anyone since.”
Bryce’s stomach dropped – they could be anywhere.
If they were still alive.
“Tom!” hollered a woman’s voice.
“It’s all right, Barb! He knows the Wilds!” called Tom, leaning over the side of the boat.
Seconds later, a dark-haired woman climbed out of a battered, fiberglass canoe and onto the yacht. “Well,” she grinned, setting her oversized bag onto the deck. “We don’t get very many visitors, unless they’re dead and inviting themselves to dinner.”
“I bet. In fact, I met one on my way out here,” said Bryce. “Have either of you noticed how the zombies have started entering all of the lakes and rivers?”
“Yeah. Started a couple of days ago. Something seems to be drawing them in,” said Tom.
“Something, as in ‘blood’,” said Barb.
“Oh, Barb,” sighed Tom.
“Oh, Barb nothing. The water is turning into blood.” She turned to Bryce. “Tom here doesn’t want to believe it, though. Thinks I’m going crazy.”
“I never said that. I just don’t think we should start packing it in because the water looks a little different.”
“I’m with you, Tom,” said Bryce. “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation.”
“Okay, be stubborn, both of you. But I’ve already told you what I think, Tom. Don’t go discounting it just because it sounds inconceivable. The fact that there are zombies walking this planet reminds us that nothing is implausible.”
“I know.”
The couple stared at each other silently, an unspoken message passing between them.
“It smells funny, too,” said Barb, turning back to Bryce. “The water.”
Bryce nodded. �
��I know. I had to swim in it.”
“So, what are you going to do, young man?” asked Tom. “Do you have somewhere to go?”
“Yeah, after we find Cassie and her sister, we’ll be heading back to Atlanta.”
Barb’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? They’re lost?”
Bryce went over everything that had happened with the Wilds, including the death of Dave and Kris.
Barb’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, my God,” she moaned. “Steve and Irene are going to be devastated.”
Bryce nodded. “It was a horrible experience for everyone, especially the girls.”
“How are they handling it?” she asked.
“Well, they’re handling it because they have no choice. Fortunately, both of them are pretty tough girls.”
Barb smiled sadly. “Yes, they certainly are. Well, I’ll say a prayer that you’ll all be reunited soon.”
“Thanks,” he said, staring off into the distance.
Tom sighed. “What a nightmare, huh? Sometimes I feel like none of this is real.”
“I wish that’s all it was,” replied Bryce. “Just a really bad dream.”
“So, you still think Cassie is headed out this way?” asked Tom.
“Not sure anymore. Hell, for all I know, she hasn’t even made it to her grandparents’ yet. I’m hoping when I get back there, she’ll be waiting.”
“You’ll find them, son. I have a feeling it won’t be long now.”
“Hope you’re right.” Lightning lit up the sky and Bryce frowned. “Well, I suppose I’d better get back. My buddy is still waiting for me on shore and is probably mad as hell because of who he’s babysitting.”
“Babysitting?” asked Barb.
Bryce smirked. “Oh, nothing. Inside joke. Anyway, are you guys interested in returning to Atlanta with us?”
Tom put his arm around Barb. “We’re going to take our chances here. If what you’re saying is correct, the road is dangerous, and it isn’t much better in Atlanta than it is here.”
Zombie Games (Uncut) Boxed Set Page 57