Dane was pleased that he found something useful for her and figured her weapons were a bit blunt by this point, “Yeah I thought so.” He responded casually.
Lifting her head, Quinta looked the sweat ridden, portly man in his face, “'ow much?”
The man dabbed a ratty cloth across his forehead, “A hundred and eighty.” He answered.
Nodding her head as though to say he had a sale, Quinta cocked her hip out for Dane to reach into her back pocket, “Can yuh get da money out for me please?” She asked.
Dane didn't think twice as he reached into her pants, flipped open the cash, and handed the money over for her.
As he grabbed the stone for her, Dane then turned his attention to her load and began to place the other canned goods in the crook of his arm, “Let me help you there.” He murmured with a smile.
Quinta stared up into his blue eyes for a moment all before she shyly cut her gaze from him and into the crowd, “Tank yuh. Let's go and wait for da others.” She said.
Dane chuckled under his breath, “Alright.” He answered.
Giving the guy one final nod of thanks, he followed Quinta as they made their way back. Dane kept his eyes on her golden shoulders, the line of her back and her profile as he continued to double-take down at her. They walked in silence beside each other all while Quinta continued to glance upwards in his direction from the corner of her eyes. The fact that they had yet to talk about their near kiss encounter already had Quinta on edge whenever they were alone. She caught onto the minute differences of how he'd talk to her, act towards her, and look at her. Completely out of her element when it came to the art of flirting, Quinta shied away more than she wanted.
After all there was something there, anything? Right?
After a few moments, Dane spoke, “We have a few days off when we get back. What uh...do you plan to do?” He questioned.
Just when she thought she should put the past behind her, his voice brought it right back. There was a tone in his voice and the way he asked that seemed different from the usual plans they'd made to meet up.
Quinta's stomach dropped all while she inhaled a deep breath and shrugged to herself, “Me nah know really. All we been doin’ is workin’, sleepin’, eatin’, and shittin’. It's been so long dat me nah know what to do with meself. Uh...why?” She asked.
She wanted to hear what he had to say and although she didn't act like it, she literally hung in anticipation to see what he wanted. But fate intervened to the point where they'd go the entire night without confirmation. Before they even had a chance to reach the cart, Leon and Addie rushed over and halted all flirtatious chatter. Once they had made the routine stops to both Dane's and Quinta's to pack their personal items, the group made their way to Leon's place. They ate dinner and talked about what they expected the next day all while Leon worried about all matters down to who would feed Leon Jr.
After a pretty sleepless night filled with tossing and turning on both beds by Leon, the girls, and the sofa where Dane tried to rest, the next morning came upon them finally. After showering up, packing, and eating breakfast the team departed with silence for the most part. The weight of the day had finally caught up with them.
Making it to the South gate entrance, they were met with Personnel that helped them equip for their mission. They received military grade bags with equally distributed rations that were measured to be sufficient for their few days of travel. Of course, this was the bare necessity of food. The group changed out their bags all while they were each handed a map that detailed every route they needed and buildings within that area. They were led into a separate section which had cotton uniforms and armored vests that mirrored Leon's which were reserved for them.
Overall the sizes fit them well aside from Dane who found his shirt to be a bit tight and stretched around his chest and arms. He was slightly uncomfortable but in the end beggars couldn't exactly be choosers. Addie's stomach was in knots. She mimicked Quinta who pulled her hair into a high bun before she pulled the bag over her shoulders. Quinta bit on her bottom lip as she snapped the vest in place and shut her eyes with a long breath. Slowly, she kissed her knuckles and for once in a long, long time, even though she knew there was nothing out there, she prayed.
Dressed, packed, and at the ready to leave on their mission, they now looked competent to their superiors who saw them off with a last few reminded instructions and encouragement. Others had already perished and even though they had different ideals from the government, there was one thing every one of them could agree on. They wanted this to be completed successfully without casualties.
With everything ready to go, the doors unlocked and they stepped outside of their sanctuary. They all met eyes for a moment before they nodded in silence and started their trek. The beach horizon was drenched in soft, yellow, blue, and pink colors to signify the beginning of the day. Addie stared out and all around while she drank in the dismal surroundings with hypersensitivity. She had forgotten just what it looked like and she knew now that deep inside she hoped for a fairy tale setting. All she received was a bitter reality. Her shoulders sagged a bit all before she turned her head away and looked ahead to the decaying, dying world, they once knew.
Passing over the long bridge, they were saluted by the soldiers that put their lives on the line every day to protect what little there was. Addie stayed close to her brother while the nostalgic path back towards the interstate unfolded before them. Over the last six months so much had changed for these three. They found a home, they made a new trusted friend in their extended family, and now they had started this journey for the better good. Not just for themselves. Quinta turned her head once they began to pass the Target parking lot and narrowed her eyes. There, like before, was a lone body standing in the middle of the lot; waiting.
They were learning.
Quinta looked forward and did not dare tempt fate again or provoke any unwanted attention. The heat had begun to radiate through their environment and after two hours the ramp for I95 appeared. So far, the trek hadn't produced any threats, at least any that could have been remedied with a swing of a bat or a cut of a blade. What waited for them at the entrance of the ramp, though, was a cluster of about fifteen walkers. They shuffled from one pivoted step to the other which only caused Addie and the others to stop in their tracks.
Quinta assessed the situation and scanned over their mannerisms from afar. Addie lowered her eyes and quickly did as she was supposed to. Ducking behind a car, she pressed her back to the metal and shut her eyes before she stared over at the others. Quinta pulled the bag from her shoulders and unhooked her machetes all the while she looked to Dane, then to Leon, and simply nodded.
Although Leon had judged their abilities to fight the undead, he had never seen them in actual action. He just went on a whim and gut feeling. He viewed Dane and Quinta get into a strategic position and approach the enemies. Tightening a silencer on his pistol, Leon nodded his head back to Quinta before he rose his arms and took aim.
With the three of them this threat should be no problem but one could never be too prideful. One or two walkers were a piece of cake. A cluster, on the other hand, was far deadlier than they let on. Even if they were of the lowest, weakest grade of zombie. The fact that their movements were relentless once one was in their reach and they could surround once they'd honed in was enough to take caution.
Dane went in first from the side while Quinta made for swift backup. Starting with a few stragglers, he beat the first two across their heads which in turn caused the metal to ring out and their delicate flesh to rip from their shattered skulls. This commotion attracted the attention of the ones closest to the lineup of death the duo left in their wake. By Dane's third fatality Quinta had swept in and sliced through the few that had tried to begin their surrounding technique. Leon pegged off the ones at Quinta's back and kept the other small crowd of them at bay until she and Dane were finished.
As her comrades disappeared from her view, Addie's breath
s were deep and her nerves rattled. She could hear the muffled shots of Leon's gun which accompanied the sounds of gurgles, groans, and the shuffles of fallen bodies. Her blue eyes watered out of natural fear and reaction while she continued to scout the expanse in front of her to make sure they didn't bring attention to any from behind.
Within a gruesome five minutes of exertion, all threats were disposed of and strewn across the sizzling pavement. Dane wiped his arm across his sweaty brow while he panted and leaned over onto his knees. He glanced back at his sister and waved her over while Leon reloaded and stared at Quinta. With a nod like how she did him, this was a common gesture between them for a job well done.
Once the sounds died and the sound of Leon's chamber clicked into place, Addie lifted her head and saw the bodies at their feet. Pushing herself to stand, Addie took a hold of Quinta's bag and hurried over to accompany them. The corner of Quinta's lip flinched while she flicked the muck of matter and blood from her blade. She then wiped the splatter from her cheeks and arms before she stepped away from the mess and met Addie halfway.
With that struggle and stench behind them they trekked their way onto the interstate. The minutes dragged while they made their way through the long stretch of the vehicular graveyard. The sun bore down on their shoulders, arms, faces, and backs. Leon, Addie, and Dane's features had already begun to turn red and burn. The interstate was the best and safest route. Nooks and crannies of side streets, were dangerous. Zombie activity's deadliest peak was known to be dusk and nighttime. The sun drove them away to seek out shade and await the coming night. The large six lane highway lent little to what they sought during the hottest parts of the day. Unfortunately for the group, they were safer but they had to endure the brutal heat in exchange. Each building they'd approach were either malls, large shopping districts, or car lots which could harbor an immense amount of dead.
Another hour and a half passed and the group had slowed down. Addie's thumbs were hooked in the straps of her bag and her head was tilted back towards the sky. Leon wore a rather fed up expression across his features as he'd huff out every other second. Quinta's blades smacked against her back. Her hands were laced together and pressed to her forehead while she too just stared ahead at the slow milestones that approached in the distance. Dane clenched his teeth together as he pressed on through the ripples of heat that radiated across the hoods of the cars.
Once Addie lowered her head, she looked to her brother to which Leon followed suit before he motioned and asked Dane if he was ready to eat. Dane pushed his sweat drenched hair from his face and nodded once before they slowed to a stop and scanned their surroundings. Addie hit against Quinta's shoulder after a moment and pointed out to which everyone turned their attention to a large, black van that had crashed into the back of a tiny, red sports car.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Dane and Addie broke off to check the surrounding cars all while Quinta and Leon went to work on the van. Leon leaned and pressed his face against the driver seat window and saw the decaying corpse of a man against the steering wheel. He backed away and the two of them turned their heads while Quinta sharply struck the end of her blade against the glass. The shattered noise brought the dying individual to life and he turned his rotted head in their direction slowly. The groans grew louder each time Quinta struck against the glass before it finally gave way. Leon pulled his gun from the holster and shot three slugs into his skull.
His body fell forward and towards the passenger seat all while Leon's face curled up. Reaching in, he unlocked the door and proceeded to hoist the body out of the car. Dragging the body towards the grassy knoll between lanes, Quinta went to work on the other windows before she was met with Dane and Addie. After the shards of glass were cleaned out, they climbed within the baking shade and finally sat down. Addie climbed into the front seat with Leon while Dane stretched across the third row and Quinta in the second. They ate in silence, cooled off the best they could, and more importantly rested before they continued the second part of their trek. While Dane, Quinta, and Leon nodded off in light sleep, Addie kept watch and busied herself with digging through the previous owner’s belongings.
Before Dane had a chance to stop himself, he didn't even know he’d passed out for a few minutes. No more than ten passed before he jolted and awoke in a panic which in turn woke Quinta and Leon as well. Huffing out, Dane grabbed his chest and gulped when he realized that everyone was secure inside and fine. Though they couldn't stay there forever. Reluctantly, the group stepped back in the sun and continued. They knew they needed to carry on because the more daylight they burned the longer their mission would take and the sooner the sun would set.
Slowly, they advanced further across the interstate and followed the route marked on their map. In the horizon, there was a tall building made almost entirely of windows that glittered in the sun with absolute majestic beauty. Thought, it wasn't until they were passing it by did they realize that the building was a hospital. No matter how it drew in their eye each one of them knew inside meant certain death.
Sooner then they wanted the heat grew to be too much to bear after so long. They all could feel just how burnt they were which prompted them to call it a day and make the other half of the trip tomorrow. They didn't want to push it. Leaving on the next exit off the interstate, the first sign that caught their eye was black and yellow with faded letters that spelled Waffle House. Leon made a quick check of the map and reassured them that this place was deemed a safe house.
Once they were inside and double checked the area, Dane made sure to take a dose of his medication before he laid back on the broad booth seats. He didn't have the energy in him in those moments. His head was throbbing and his vision was foggy so he left the job of barricading to the others.
Leon could barely feel his feet and he took what little energy left he had just to check the back room and the bathroom for wanderers. He pushed open each stall door and checked for necessities before he tested the water in the sink. Letting the tap run until it was clear, he dared scoop the old water into his face. He then stared at himself hunched over the sink and waited for a reaction while he hung his head. After a few minutes Quinta finished the last table to lock them in against the glass doors and blew out of her mouth.
Addie peeled the bag from her hot shoulders with a hiss before she groaned out and got down on her hands and knees, “Ow. ow. ow.” She whispered under her breath while her fingers pulled the zipper open.
Quinta felt a certain heat that radiated over her skin but the fact was she had turned at least a shade darker in the sunlight. Clearing her dry throat, she began to pull the shades over the tall windows along the front of the restaurant to hide them from view over the night.
As Leon's footsteps came from the bathroom behind her, she glanced over her shoulder while she reached over Dane's body and pulled the string down, “Is dere runnin’ water?” She asked.
Quinta looked down at Dane and smiled at his sun beat features before she moved on to the next window. Just for a moment Dane felt the room spin as Quinta hovered over him. He closed his eyes and deeply sighed from his nose. Leon sat down with a plop. He tugged his boots off recklessly and allowed them to fall with a heavy thud.
Addie pushed herself up from the floor, “I hope so even if it's just a trickle. I think I've sweat in every crease of my body.” She muttered.
Leon slouched along the booth and ran a hand through his soaked, blonde locks, “It's clear back there and the water seems fine. I'd still make it quick either way. Addie, you go on first for your...creases and stuff.” He responded awkwardly.
“Oh, thank God. I thought I would die.” Addie said. With a bright orange bottle in her hand, Addie made her way across the narrow dining hall and pushed the sunscreen against Dane's shoulder, “Please?” she asked while she turned around and pointed to her back.
Dane heard bits and pieces of the conversation but only when his sister tapped him on the shoulder did he sit-up. Pouring cream in his hands,
he rubbed them together before he spread the lotion along her back, the back of her neck, and over her shoulders.
After she was lathered up, Addie pulled away from him, “Come on Quinta, there should be two sinks!” She exclaimed. Dragging her bag behind her, Addie waved to her brother, “Thanks Dane!” She added while she disappeared into the bathroom.
Quinta unzipped the vest and pulled the sticky fabric from her back with a sigh, “Be right back den.” She whispered to them all while she hauled her bag in the facilities behind Addie.
By the time the girls were washed up and comfortable again, it was then the boys' turn.
Addie grinned at Quinta while she fell to her knees in the middle of the floor, “Look at what I found yesterday!” She exclaimed. She pulled a small metal stove from within before a package of white discs.” I've got two packs!” She stated proudly.
Quinta sat down beside her while Addie handed her a handheld can opener, “Is dis wat yuh spent yuh money on?” She questioned.
Quinta pulled out an old, battered can of chicken noodle soup while Addie fiddled with the stove, “I also got sunscreen, matches, and a first aid kit too.” She grinned from ear to ear at Quinta, “We aren't eating cold tonight!”
With a strike of the match, Addie lit the cubes and Quinta chuckled to herself while she shook her head and simply watched. Dane was lethargic and slow moving but fine. He was the last one to exit the bathrooms only to see Quinta eating and Addie cooking a can of chili over a hexamine stove. He sat in the booth with them and watched the shadows along the wall move from the light dying in the front door. Soon the only light that could be seen was the dim glow of the artificial fire.
Dane reached his arm around the back of the booth behind Quinta while he watched his sister, “That smells great oddly.” He said.
Leon appeared in front of Dane and held up two cans in front of him, “Clam chowder or Potatoes and hash?” He asked.
Quinta paused mid-scoop and tucked her eyebrows together, “...Yuh bumbaclot. Why did yuh bring seafood? 'ow old is dat?” She asked.
The World We Once Knew Page 26