Dane rolled his eyes up to Leon who inspected the can, “It doesn't expire until next month. I got the good stuff!” Leon bantered. He then turned his attention down to Dane and shook each can in his hand, “So what's it going to be?” He asked again.
Dane's eyebrows were lifted in the air as he reached upwards and grabbed the potato and hash, “This one.” He answered.
Leon looked over those two before he glanced over his shoulder at Addie. Her lips rolled in and she couldn't help but turn her attention back to her can with a shake of her head.
“You guys are scaring me now. Oh well. I've got a month.” He stated as though to confirm in himself that he had gone so far as to bring it up now.
He may as well go all the way. His ego was on the line.
Quinta ate her soup at the table all while Addie spread herself out on the floor. Not much was said between them because exhaustion played a large factor. There was a sense of hope and solace in the restaurant. Nothing horrible happened. In fact, the most action they received was early that morning. One couldn't help but hope that maybe they'd over worried and that this would pass over without much incident. After all they were already halfway there.
If only it were that easy.
As everyone ate, Leon had the foresight to know that nights like these, when there was still heavy expectations and duties on their shoulders, that they could be long, arduous, and morally degrading. To at least attempt to take their minds from the possibilities that laid into tomorrow, he pulled a deck of cards from his pack and simply started to deal them out. For him to feel comradery or true family ties with anyone was rare but with this group he trusted his gut.
Just when the sun began to set and they began to wind down did Addie realize that Leon came prepared for a night of boredom, “Oooh! What are we playing?” She asked.
Addie sat down next to Quinta while the latter yawned and rubbed her hands together, “One game?”
“At least one.” Addie responded. Quinta nodded her head and began to pull her cards into a pile, “Yes!” Addie whispered.
Starting up a game of Crazy Eights, Leon, of course, was the first to go. He was very eager to play and that matched Addie's desire on the game as well.
Addie pulled her legs into herself all while she smiled at them and waited until they started before she spoke, “Today wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.” She said while she placed a card down.
Quinta cleared her throat and cut her eyes in Addie's direction all before she nudged her softly, “Why do me tink dat yuh just doomed us all?” She asked.
“Don't say that!” Addie exclaimed.
This in turn caused Quinta to laugh. A laugh that was usually rare and far in between one another. Without having knowledge of Leon's feelings, she felt the same sentiments as he did. Leon, on the other hand, was a little freaked out by the bad luck that they might have brought on themselves but like hell he would say anything. The last thing he wanted was for them to lose the brave, amazing, lovable impression they had of him and brand him as a superstitious coward.
Only in his mind.
Dane watched the first game. He liked to observe more than play when it came to games that we're sports or physically focused. By the second round, though, he had joined in and playfully, ruefully so. He spent his time antagonizing Quinta, Pushing Addie's buttons, and getting into Leon's head. Which wasn't hard whatsoever. Unfortunately for Leon, he lost both rounds and had begun to push for a third calling foul play.
With a long yawn, Dane was the first to stand up which only panicked Leon more, “W-wait! Best two out of three! Come back!” He quietly exclaimed.
Leon's pleas were ignored. Dane silently decreed that it was time for bed without a word. The other two were naturally inclined to follow him which left Leon at a disadvantage and by himself.
Laying on the booth behind Quinta, Addie finally answered him, “Goodnight Leon.” She muttered.
Giving up, Leon picked up his cards, tucked the stove away, and went to find a spot to lay down for the night. By the time Leon had put everything away, Addie and Quinta had succumbed to sleep with one deeper than the other.
Dane's voice echoed in the darkness, “I'll stay up for the first bit. Then Quinta, Leon, and lastly Addie.” He said.
Without being told otherwise, Dane accepted the order and set himself with his bat for the night while he waited for them to fall asleep.
Quinta's eyes were clenched shut as once again the stress she kept to herself conjured itself into night terrors. Faces, familiar faces that's all she could see through the vast darkness that engulfed her. The weight of gravity yanked her down towards a bright light at the end of the tunnel. The ocean, laughter, steel drums, that's what awaited her beyond that light and yet no matter how long she fell...she never advanced. Unconscious to the noises she did make, her hands gripped together and loosened while perspiration coated her neck and forehead. Quinta's breaths were shallow while that blinding light, that was once so far, rapidly came to view. The one thing she wanted most, security, family, love was right beyond her grasp; approaching at a dizzying speed. Just as the warm, bright light enveloped her, Quinta inhaled one deep breath and her mind fogged over from sleep exhaustion.
Admittedly, Dane struggled to stay awake but his two-hour mark came through and he found his way towards Quinta. Leon was lightly snoring and his sister would release soft, pitchy sighs here and there. Quinta worried him. She had groaned and shifted in her sleep far more than he remembered and all he wanted to do was make sure she was alright.
Quinta's eyes opened and the only thing she saw in the darkness was Dane's face as he stared right down into hers. There was a moment of delay in her reaction and instead of coming around, she smiled. What she wanted was the world that rested right in front of her. And he was beautiful.
Dane lightly grabbed her shoulder and gave her a gentle shake, “Hey, it's your turn. Did you sleep well?” He whispered in a barely audible tone.
Slowly, her mind cleared and Quinta came to her senses all while she sat up and pressed her hand to her forehead, “Yuh.” She whispered to him. Her eyes fell shut before she forced them open and nodded her head quickly, “Get some rest.” She said.
Quinta pivoted her body to plant her feet on the floor. Leaning over, she rested her elbows on her knees and held her head for a moment all while she waited for the dream to dissipate from her thoughts.
Watching Quinta steady herself in that position, Dane saw how overwhelmed she was by whatever bothered her. He had a sense that under that quiet demeanor was something she hid from others. So that she wouldn't be a burden to anyone but herself. There was no doubt that she had a past because they all did. The difference was that he cared about her and was deeply curious and worried about why she cried out in her sleep the way she did. He would be lying to say that he didn't feel relief wash over him when he saw those soft brown eyes open in the darkness. To have her beautiful face smile at him as though he saved her from her troubles.
He would never forget that.
Dane rubbed his hand over her shoulders and down along her back. He could feel how drenched her top was from cold sweat but he didn't pull his hand away. Quinta's breath vanished and she melted slightly under his touch as he went out of his way to comfort her. In all ways, he intended to soothe her. He wanted to wait for her to lift her head and convince him that she was alright. Without even knowing the cause and that showed just how truly selfless Dane West was. Slowly, her own hand reached over to grab his in the dark all while she tilted her face up and stared at him.
Although he kept his voice soft, that deep baritone still rumbled in his chest, “Wake me up if you need anything. Anything at all, Quinta. I am always here for you.” He whispered.
There was a long pause between them as she stared up at him with her head tilted back and he stared down into her. He felt as though something needed to be said between them, something he couldn't shake from his mind most nights when he was alone.
Her weary features found a way to give him a reassuring smile only for her to answer him after the awkward pause, “Me know.” She said reluctantly.
That bit of reassurance was all Quinta needed. She knew he was there for anything. Dane accepted those two words before he laid back against her cushion behind her. Making himself comfortable, her presence made it easy to relax and soon he passed out into a restful sleep.
The last thing Quinta wanted to do was push him away or send the wrong message. But even now, especially with others within earshot, she could not find the courage in herself to speak about what could have been. Not now.
This would have to wait.
In the early morning, Addie had been anxious and restless on her watch. She nudged her foot against Leon's back before the sun was due to rise. Groaning out once again, Leon smacked her hand away and rolled over to get the last of his forty winks. Sighing, Addie yet again would wait five minutes before her foot found its way into his back.
In a disgruntled manner, Leon groaned out and pushed himself up and sharply glared in her face, “What Addie? What? What the hell do you want with my life?”
Addie pulled her leg back into her chest and shrugged her shoulders, “I don't know. I'm bored and nervous.” She replied.
Leon scratched along his scalp with frustrated strokes, “So why don’t you bother your brother.” He hissed.
Addie's cheeks puffed with air, “He's tired though.”
Leon's arm rested on his arm while he slowly turned his head, “And I'm not?” He asked.
Addie smiled at him, “Well he goes around swinging a bat all day AND he walks. You shoot a gun.” She answered.
With an incredulous look, Leon inhaled a deep breath and slowly pushed his body to stand. With a wince, he pressed her hands against his lower back and leaned. He refused to give Addie the satisfaction of a retort.
He then shuffled towards the back of the restaurant, “I'm going to the bathroom.” He muttered.
Addie lowered her legs and as she watched him wander off, “Can we play cards when you come back?” She asked.
Just as she did to him the previous night, he ignored her pleas, disappeared into the bathroom, and fell asleep behind the door. Before long, Dane, Quinta, and Leon woke up formally with the sunrise. While the girls changed clothes and repacked the bags, Dane heated breakfast while Leon sat down and pulled out his map. His gaze followed along the interstate from where they were towards their next destination.
He distractedly picked another cluster of granola up and into his mouth, “Okay so...MMM! Is that a raisin?” He questioned as he peered into the small cup. “Oh, that was delicious. Okay. We're going to continue the main road for about three hours. Once we pass the airport we'll soon reach the exit for the civilian colony “Deer Park.” Major Pinder was pretty clear that we're supposed to make contact and check in before we report back directly to him.” He said to himself. Returning the map, Leon took a swig from his canteen and stood up, “It'll be nice to see the residents again. They're very nice but careful people. You'll like it there, I did at least. They are a close-knit community which has defied the odds.” He finished as he looked over them.
Setting out into the forgiving, Florida morning, they wandered on their predetermined path with the caution and newfound determination. By the time the sun had risen to the point of undesirability and the long seemingly never-ending walk the day before broke their spirits sooner than expected. The airport to the far right soon came to view but this was a landmark that showed the remains of the chaos that wreaked havoc. The visible runway showed three crashed planes, which had forced two others to collide into the terminal. There were the scattered remains of a Boeing747 stretched along the wide field closest to them. Each crash showed the blaze that still smoldered without being tended to.
Soon after they were surrounded on either side by thick trees which caused Addie to become weary and scared. The silence through the country didn't sit right and this in turn caused them to pick up the pace. They decided to push through lunch and keep on towards Deer Park where rest awaited them. About half past noon they exited the interstate and advanced down the street, past a lone gas station, and the last cluster of trees.
Addie looked over to Quinta who kept an eye on the map in her hands. Catching the feeling of Addie's gaze burning a hole in her body, Quinta slowly turned her head in the younger female's direction. Dane kept his place behind the girls while Leon aired out his shirt between the opening in his vest. Addie leaned into Quinta as she pointed to the map. Looking up, the small, tanned woman pointed outwards towards a break between the trees. With a nod of her head, Addie's eyes lit up and her desire for shade drove her to take off into a sprint just for the chance of a break in the elements before Dane had a chance to stop her.
Taking off after his sister, he watched Addie's backpack bounce along her tall, lanky frame. Quinta folded the map in her hands before she and Leon quickened their pace. The look of relief that washed over Addie's frame and the high hopes she held to see another civilization was yanked from her once the view was revealed from the trees shroud. Her steps numbly came to a halt as she inhaled a deep, audible breath.
The brick wall that lined the small neighborhood between the patches of trees and protected the people within was gone save for a few clumps of rubble that hadn't been wiped away. The only scene that was visible beyond the wall line were foundations of homes that had once stood. Dane, who saw his sister's sudden halt, was next to break through the trees. His mouth fell open while both hands ran through his hair and gripped at the roots. A sudden pit of dread planted itself in Quinta's stomach as Leon quickly passed her by to see for himself. Once within view, he began to shake his head but he didn't stop, he continued his way further down the road with his eyes locked on the section.
Leon stared in complete and utter disbelief, “No. no. no.” He whispered to himself.
Quinta's hands covered her mouth as she looked between Dane, Addie, and the ruins that were once Deer Park. Addie wiped the sudden tears of shock from her eyes and cheeks as she followed suit with Leon. Dane wrapped his arm around Quinta's shoulders and pulled her to follow as well.
No matter how sick they felt neither one of them could look away.
As they advanced closer towards the small retention pond along what should have been the gates inside, the scene that unfolded stopped Dane, Addie, and Quinta dead in their tracks. Hundreds of charred corpses, both undead and survivor alike, were littered along the entrance. Body parts were scattered over the roads, and the lawns. Black soot was splashed along the walls of the desecrated homes that survived whatever this was.
Leon did not stop as he turned down the street, named Deer Park, and panted out. He couldn't find the strength to move on in that moment. The body count alone was overwhelming as there had to be more bodies than who lived there were thrown and violently ripped apart. There was a deep crater between the second and third house on the only street that led towards a cul-de-sac on the right. The road, the bodies, and the grass were burnt and suffered the worst of what appeared to be an explosion. The black soot and the fact that every bit of what stood there at that time was blasted away from the impact only proved to Leon that this.... was bigger than them.
“Fuck.” He whispered.
Finally, reality hit him.
The place he had read recordings about, reported about, and visited once, was gone. This didn't make sense. Blowing out, Leon held the back of his head and crouched down. Tears broke through his clenched eyes, slid down his nose, and splattered against the rubble beneath him. The presence of the others appeared beside him and took in the revelation. Whatever this was, the inhabitants never had a chance and they never saw it coming.
Addie shook her head as she pressed her palms against her eyes and blew out a huff, “What the fuck happened here?” She whispered shakenly.
Leon clenched his jaw as he resolved himself and pushed his personal feelings away.
Gaining that authoritative nature again, he pushed himself to his feet and rubbed his palm over the entire extent of his face, “I don't know but I'm going to find out.” He said under his breath.
Pulling away from them, he stepped into the grass towards the contact point to at least try and gain an answer for himself. After three steps, Leon stopped as did the world around them in those moments. A deep, rumbling, guttural roar howled out that ran the blood in their veins cold and forced birds to take flight from the trees that surrounded.
Addie inhaled a deep breath and threw her head back with the intent to scream when Dane lunged forward and clamped his hand over her mouth. Fear had taken over any sense of duty.
Leon slowly backed away and over towards them unable to catch his breath, “R-run.” He ordered.
Quinta grabbed the back of Dane's vest and yanked against him. Without thought, the group turned on their heels and sprinted back down the street the way they came. Tears streamed down Addie's face and her sobs were the only thing that echoed in the hot air with the others' pants. Halfway between the tree line and the gas station another booming growl shot through the sky. This only rattled their nerves further and caused Addie to fall forward and skid across the pavement. Crying out, Dane veered around and picked his sister up from under her armpits and urged her to keep going.
Whatever that thing was they would not be around to find out or in sight in case it decided to roam.
The gas station they had passed with such hopes was now left behind amid their fear. The first building past the station veered to a sharp, distant left and that's where they were headed. Their lungs burned, their minds swam with unanswered questions, and their bodies were spent from fear and heat exhaustion. Leon was the first one that had trekked through the parking lot and up to the door of the animal hospital. The unopened door swung open from the sheer force he used through his adrenaline. Quinta held the door open for Dane and Addie and waved for them to hurry up.
The World We Once Knew Page 27