“How old are you?” asked Justice.
“I just turned eighteen a few days ago.” She nodded toward me. “Same with Cassie.”
“Well, if things ever get back to normal, I might be able to still give you one,” he replied.
Paige raised her eyebrows. “Really?”
He smiled. “My cousin owned a tattoo shop and I had just finished my apprenticeship with him when the zombie outbreak hit.”
“What happened to your cousin?” she asked.
His smile fell. “Not really sure.”
Paige’s eyes widened. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry for bringing it up. That was… stupid.”
“Don’t worry about it. We all lost people. Besides, he was a pretty mean S.O.B. when he wanted to be. Chances are that if he didn’t get the flu shot, he’s still alive, beating the shit out of the undead.”
“Did he have any family, other than you?” she asked.
“His old lady and their new baby.”
“A baby?” Paige put her hand to her chest. “Oh, man, I hope they’re okay.”
He sighed. “Yeah, me too.”
I decided it might be a good time to change the subject. Death and babies were hitting it too close to home for all of us now. Especially with the current situation. I turned to Bryce. “I really like your tattoos,” I said, tracing my finger along one of the black dragons on his forearm. “I can’t believe the detail. Whoever did it knew what they were doing. Um, when did you get them?”
“Got both of them after I graduated high school,” he said, looking down at his arms. “Kind of a graduation gift to myself.”
“Nice,” I replied.
He put his hand on my knee and squeezed it. “What about you, have you ever wanted one?”
“I thought about it, but never brought it up to my parents.”
“Why?” he asked.
I tilted my head to the side. “Come on, you met my dad. He wasn’t exactly open-minded about stuff like that.”
“He was a little overprotective, but something tells me that if you really would have wanted one, he would have caved.”
I smiled sadly. “Maybe.”
“Hey, we should both get one at the same time,” said Paige. “When things settle down.”
If things ever settled down. Everything seemed to be getting worse as time went on.
I licked my lips. “I don’t know. Does it hurt?”
Nora burst out laughing. “Wild, after everything you’ve been through, you’re worried about a little needle?”
My cheeks turned red. “I just hate needles.”
“It’s not that bad,” said Justice. “Well, obviously in some places the skin is much more sensitive.”
“You’ve got that right,” said Kristie. “I cried like a baby getting mine.”
Paige mumbled something and looked out the window.
“You have ink? Where?” asked Justice.
Kristie smiled. “Well, it’s hidden.”
“Where is it?” asked Henry, coming to life. “On one of your bosoms?”
Paige rolled her eyes. “No. It’s on her back.”
Henry sat up straighter. “Oh, she get one of them there tramp stamps?”
Tiny burst out laughing. “Damn right she did.”
Kristie reached over and slugged him in the shoulder.
“What?” he pouted. “I think it’s beautiful.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I just don’t like that term… ‘tramp stamp’. I mean, I thought it was funny before, but now that I’ve gotten one, it’s irritating to hear the same jokes, over and over. My tattoo is a work of art… not a place to put your beer.”
Bryce and Justice burst out laughing.
Tiny struggled to keep a straight face.
Henry looked confused.
I glanced at Paige, who looked like she wanted to throw up and then crawl under the seat in front of her.
“Sorry, babe,” replied Tiny, slipping his hand behind her neck and then squeezing her shoulder. “You know I think you’re one of the classiest women on the planet.”
“Thank you,” she said, pulling her dark hair over to the side. “You’re forgiven.”
“I love tattoos on women,” said Henry. “Although the last one I saw was on Sally Mae, a friend of mine at the nursing home. Her tattoo was supposed to be a clover-leaf, but damn if it didn’t look more like a beanstalk. Course, the thing must have grown over fifty years.”
Tiny laughed and started the engine.
Paige rubbed her forehead. “God, I’m not going to even ask where that was located.” She turned to Justice. “So did your cousin do your back?”
“Yeah.”
“It looks really good,” replied Paige, her cheeks turning pink as her eyes met his. “The tattoo, I mean.”
He grinned. “Thanks.”
“She really means your back,” chirped in Nora.
Paige clenched her teeth. “Would you just quit already?”
Nora laughed.
“Girls, take it easy back there,” said Kristie.
“Yeah,” teased Bryce. “You’re going to embarrass Justice. You know, us guys don’t appreciate being treated like sex objects. It just isn’t right.”
“Speak for yourself,” said Henry.
This time we all laughed.
As we drove around the block, Tiny glanced back at us. “Everyone keep your eyes peeled for headlights. We don’t want to run into those jerks in the truck again.”
I reached down and touched the crowbar by my feet, making sure that I hadn’t forgotten it. I’d run out of gun ammunition, although fortunately, the guys still had a few rounds. I didn’t really care, though; I was beginning to prefer hand-to-hand combat when it came to the zombies. The living, however, well they were a different story. “You have your gun, right?” I asked Bryce.
He nodded. “Yeah, I also brought one for you. Don’t worry, we’ll get more ammunition. I want you to have a loaded gun whenever possible.”
I stared out into the darkness. “Good luck finding any.”
“We’re going to check out the police station in Saint Paul. They must have ammunition there. Who knows, maybe we’ll even find more survivors,” he replied. “Ones that still protect and serve.”
“That’s a great idea,” said Kristie. “I can’t believe we didn’t think of that before.”
“If there are any guns or ammunition, I’m sure they’ve been stolen,” said Tiny. “But it’s still worth a shot, anyway.”
“What time is it?” I asked.
“It’s almost four in the morning,” replied Kristie as she turned on the radio and began to scroll through static.
My eyes widened. “Wow, I had no idea it was that late. You guys were gone for longer than I thought.”
“It was those bastards in the truck,” said Tiny, turning toward the road that wrapped around the lake. “It took a long time to lose them. Too long. There was no getting around it, though. Couldn’t have them following us back to you guys.”
“I know,” I replied, biting my thumbnail. “I’m just so worried about the girls.”
Bryce patted my knee. “It’ll be okay.”
Tiny looked into the rearview mirror and swore.
I turned around.
Headlights.
“Shit,” said Bryce. “I think that’s them. Everyone keep your heads down.”
I hunched down with the others while Tiny accelerated.
“What in the hell is wrong with these guys?” cried Kristie. “Don’t they know we’re on the same side?”
“Obviously, we’re not on the same side, babe,” said Tiny. He frowned. “Oh yeah, that’s the pickup, all right.”
The sound of gunshots exploded from behind.
“Are you freaken kidding me?!” hollered Nora.
I turned to look back at her. “Oh, my God, are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Should we fire back?” asked Justice.
“Not yet,” said Tiny. “Ho
ld on.”
Tiny turned a corner quickly and the tires squealed in protest.
“Oh, my God,” moaned Kristie, as another bullet hit the SUV. “Is everyone okay?”
“Screw this shit,” said Nora. “Hand me a gun!”
“No,” said Bryce. “Just stay down.”
“Easy for you to say, I’m the one closest to the bullets!” she hollered.
The back window blew out from the next round of bullets and Nora screamed as the glass shattered all around her.
“Oh, my God!” yelled Kristie. “Are you okay, Nora?”
“I’m not dead… yet! Someone, give me a gun now!” she growled. “Come on!”
“Stay down, Nora,” ordered Justice as he crawled into the back and began firing his gun through the broken window.
Noticing that we were firing back, the truck slowed and put more distance between us.
“They’re hanging back. Nora, why don’t you climb over and get next to Paige,” said Justice.
Nora crawled over the seat, swearing. “My hand’s bleeding from the glass,” she said, clenching her teeth. Wincing, she pulled out a piece of glass. “Does anyone have a rag or something?”
“Here,” said Bryce, removing his T-shirt. He threw it at her and she wrapped it around her hand.
“Thanks. Dammit, if I get my hands on the person who did this, he’s going to need more than a bandage to stop the blood,” she muttered.
We pulled onto the highway. “Let’s see how far they’re meaning to go with this,” said Tiny.
I looked back. Sure enough, the white pickup turned onto the highway too. They weren’t giving up.
.
6
Allie and Kylie
Billie walked toward them. “Girls, girls, girls… there is no escaping me, haven’t you figured that out yet?”
Kylie tightened her hold on Adria, who was staring up with frightened eyes. “Please, Billie, just let us go. We’ve never done anything to you.”
“Still think I’m Billie, huh?” He took another puff of his cigar. “Tell me, where does your faith lie?”
“What do you mean?” asked Allie.
“Who do you serve?”
“You’re asking us if we serve God, right?” asked Kylie, getting angry. “Obviously, I’m on His side. What does that have to do with anything, Billie?”
“Just curious. What about you?” he asked, turning to Allie who stared at him in fear. “Do you feel the same way?”
“Yes.”
“Really?” His eyes bore into hers. “You mean to tell me that you would love a God who has allowed all of this death and destruction without so much as offering a helping hand?”
Her eyes widened. “I…”
He raised his voice. “A God who allowed your parents to be struck down so viciously? Does that sound like someone who has your back or cares what happens to you?”
“Don’t listen to him, Allie,” said Kylie. “He’s trying to confuse you.”
“The only thing confusing is why the planet has gone to piss and He,” he wrinkled his nose, “hasn’t raised one finger to help any of you.”
Kylie raised her chin. “Maybe He has and we just don’t know it.”
“Or, maybe this was His plan all along. Maybe, He’s taken all of his favorites and has turned His back on the rest of you. I mean, if you really take a look at the big picture, it makes much more sense. He has certainly taken more souls than what has been left behind.”
“No,” said Kylie, her face paling. “I don’t believe that.”
He smiled darkly. “Come on now. Deep inside, you’re beginning to have doubts.”
“You’re just trying to mess with our minds. To try and get us to do what you want,” said Kylie.
He snorted. “Pfft, I can already do that. But, I have to admit, you girls impress me. Your spunk and will to survive is very admirable. Qualities that shouldn’t be ignored.” He pointed his thumb up toward the sky. “Too bad someone else doesn’t appreciate you like I do.”
Neither girl said anything.
Lightning lit up the sky in the distance, followed by a low roll of thunder.
“Here comes the rain again,” sang Billie as the drops began. He raised his palms up as it began to pour and tilted his face toward the moon. “Tears from the sky!” he hollered, grinning. “Excuse me while I relish in this.”
“Creepy,” mumbled Allie as she and Kylie took cover by the side of the gazebo.
Still standing in the rain, he wiped his face with his hand and looked over at them. “Girls, we’re going for a ride!”
Allie and Kylie looked at each other.
“Don’t even think about trying to escape,” he said. “It will never happen. Just face it.”
“Where are you taking us?” asked Kylie.
He walked over and leaned against the side of the Gazebo. “Well, now, it’s a surprise.”
“We’re tired of surprises,” muttered Allie.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure you won’t want to miss this one. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.”
The girls stepped back.
“Don’t be frightened now,” he said. “Jenny has prepared a bottle of formula for the baby and we have a guest who’s going to be joining us. Father Brambati.”
“Is he really a priest?” asked Allie.
“Of course he is,” replied Billie, tossing his soggy cigar onto the grass.
Kylie’s eyes narrowed. “You forget, but we heard what you said - about sacrificing Adria. A real priest wouldn’t allow it.”
He studied her quietly in the darkness and then smiled. “Actually, I only said that because I knew you were listening. I was pissed that you were trying to escape. I didn’t mean it.”
“You didn’t?” asked Kylie in disbelief.
His eyes widened. “Sacrificing a baby? What kind of a person do you think I am? Now, if you want to know the truth, we’re taking you back to your family. It was Father Brambati’s suggestion. He actually helped me come to my senses, can you believe it? I have to admit, I haven’t been thinking clearly the last few days.”
“You are now, though?” cried Allie, feeling relieved. “Really?”
A louder boom of thunder caused both girls to squeal.
Billie frowned. “The storm is going to get worse. We’d better leave.”
Kylie and Allie looked at each other nervously again.
“Well? You coming,” he asked, walking away from them and back toward the house.
“What should we do?” whispered Allie.
“I don’t know if I really trust him,” replied Kylie.
Allie sighed. “You know what? Me neither, but, for some reason, I kind of feel that going with him is the right thing to do.”
Kylie nodded. “I know. Strange, but me too.”
They both looked at the baby, who was sucking noisily on her fingers again.
“Don’t worry,” said Allie, touching the baby’s soft hair. “We won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Adria lowered her head against Kylie’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
7
Cassie
The truck continued to follow us as we entered Saint Paul.
“What are we going to do?” asked Kristie, looking back. “Just let them follow us all the way to the Mall Of America? See if they’ll join us for breakfast?”
“I think we should feed them to the zombies for breakfast,” sneered Nora. “Dirt-bags.”
“Actually,” said Tiny, tapping his thumbs on the steering wheel. “I have a better idea.”
“I hope so,” answered Kristie.
I glanced back at the lights, wondering why we were so important to the people in the truck. If they were only trying to steal from us, and now knew that we were armed, why wouldn’t they just go to an easier target?
As if reading my thoughts, Bryce leaned over. “Don’t worry, we’ll pull through this. We always do.” He looked back. “I swear, some people are just plain assholes.”
>
I stared at his shadowed profile, thankful that we were facing this together. His strength and confidence helped put me at ease. “They’ve got to know there are more of us than them. Why are they so gung-ho on chasing us like this? I just don’t get it. Especially after knowing now that we’re armed.”
Our eyes met again. As usual, I could feel myself blush under his scrutiny.
His blue eyes traveled to my cheeks and he grinned. “Hold still.” Raising his fingers, he removed a stray lash from under my right eye. “In answer to your question, they’re obviously nuts. Don’t think too hard about it. We’ll be rid of them soon. Either they’ll get tired of trailing us, or there will be some kind of standoff. Obviously, we’ll win.”
“Obviously,” I repeated, smiling at his cockiness.
Henry grunted. “I say we just pull over to the side of the road and have it out with the sons-of-bitches right now. Quit playing cat and mouse.”
“That’s too dangerous,” said Tiny.
“Well, from the look of things, we’re going to have to face them sooner or later,” he replied. “I’d rather do it now. Get it over with before I keel over and you have one less gunner.’”
Tiny turned on the windshield wipers as the rain began once again. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got a plan.”
“So you said before. Well, I hope this plan involves some serious shooting, because my trigger finger is getting itchy,” said Henry, curling and uncurling his right hand. “And I tell you what, if anyone deserves a cap in their ass, it’s those fools.”
I grinned. “A cap in their ass?”
He nodded. “Damn right. Firing at us like that. We’ve got women and children in this truck. Hell, at least the zombies attack for good reason - they’re hungry. The rest of these yahoos are just doing it for kicks.”
Tiny pulled off the highway.
“Uh, where are you going?” asked Kristie, tensing up.
“Police station,” he said. “We need more ammunition and maybe we’ll get lucky and find some actual help.”
“They’re still following,” said Justice.
“Yeah, but they’re keeping their distance. I’m going to try and lose them,” said Tiny, looking into his rearview mirror. “Everyone, hold on.”
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