“Time to decide,” he mumbled to himself.
Watching the lightning flash across the sky in an angry streak he decided.
“Dinner first,” he thought as his stomach rumbled.
“No more pushing his luck it was time for him to settle down and start a new future,” he decided.
No sooner had he thought this when a slow southern drawl caused him to turn.
“I see your up,” Mabel said coming up on him without a sound.
Her thin framed looked smaller for some reason and her short graying hair greyer he thought. As her large white smile appeared. Her rich and smooth sounding slow southern draw was soft as she spoke to him.
“You are well,” she asked.
Dan looked at her an odd feeling forming in the pit of his stomach.
“Yes,” he replied feeling better than he had in a longtime.
“Katrina has told me she wants to stay with you when we get back to Hope,” Mabel paused looking at him.
Dan looked at her his mind going blank as he tried to understand what she was saying.
“When had they discussed that,” he thought.
“She wants to give up traveling with us to stay with you,” Mable continued.
His faced showed surprise at this as his mouth started to open before closing without a word.
“I have agreed,” she said looking intensely at him.
“You will take care of her or answer to me,” Mabel said the normally rich sounding southern draw of her voice taking on a hard tone.
He just nodded knowing he could not speak if he tried. After a moment of mixed confusion of the news, she had delivered to him. He managed to say.
“Yes Ma’am I will. I am not going to press my luck anymore,” he managed.
He looked down as Mabel started turning to leave but looked up quickly before she spoke again. She looked taller now the large smile of her glowing as she looked at him.
“Do not be afraid to press your luck when you are with friends,” she said her dark eyes focused on whatever she kept seeing behind him.
Standing by the window he watched her leave seeing Katrina run up to her. She exchanged words with Mable almost jumping with excitement as she ran from her to him with a smile. Nearly knocking him off his crutches as she pulled him into a hug.
“Man she is strong,” Dan thought as he returned the hug.
9 Leaving Town
Mary approached Dan and Katrina as they sat down for a dinner of some jerk beef with rice and beans. Katrina looked up at her.
“Join us Mary,” she said.
Mary guiltily looked down at Dan her eyes going from his bandaged leg to the crutches and stopping finally on his blue eyes.
“I we,” she stammered. “Tried to warn you,” she started saying.
Dan looked up as her as he raised a plate of food towards her.
“Sit down and join us,” he said.
Mary looked down at him then the food a look of relive crossed her face as she sat down taking the plate. Katrina smiled as she handed Dan another one.
“I told you he could outrun zombies,” she said picking up her plate.
Mary looked to Dan as he started eating before looking down at her food.
“We saw the zombies behind you,” she started as Dan looked up from his plate.
“You tried to warn me like I tried to warn you,” he started looking at Mary.
“I told you this town was bad news and it does not like the living,” he said putting a spoon full of beans into his mouth.
Mary looked at him for a second.
“Yes you did,” she said picking up her spoon to start eating.
The group ate in silence for a few minutes when Mary looked up from her plate of food.
“Dan can I ask you a question,” she started timidly.
He stopped eating to look at her turning his blue eyes towards her. Katrina stopped eating to watch.
“Sure,” he replied.
Mary looked down at her plate then back to him.
“What happen to your leg. People are saying a zombie bit you,” she asked looking concerned.
Dan stared at her for a second before lowering his head.
“Two did,” he started as he raised his head to see a shocked expression on Mary’s face.
“They died of food poisoning,” he said breaking into a smile.
Mary looked stunned for a moment before joining Katrina and Dan in laughter. Dan shook his head as he stopped laughing.
“I jumped a fence blindly and landed in a pile of trash,” he started saying again. “But that explains the looks and hushed tones around me,” he finished.
Mary nodded picking up her plate again.
“Yes several people were wondering when you would start turning,” she said. Taking time to look around seeing a few people turn from watching them.
“Have you seen Commander Hudson today,” she asked.
Katrina shook her head as he looked at Mary for a moment.
“Other than talk with him this morning no,” he said between a mouth full of food.
“I know that but he left camp after talking with you. His orders for everyone to stay put,” she replied.
Dan looked at her perplexed but shook his head.
It would be the next morning before he saw Commander Hudson walking towards him in the crowded conference room. He could hear people asking and complaining on when they could go back out to salvage. The people going silent at the look on his face. He stopped before Dan.
“Can you come with me,” Commander Hudson said.
It did not sound like a question but from the tone in the commander’s voice Dan did not think it sounded like a command either. Getting up onto the crutches, followed Commander Hudson to his office, and watched as he waited for him to enter before following and closing the door. Dan sat in the leather chair from yesterday and waited for him to sit and speak. Commander Hudson open his desk and reached inside to remove the forty-five magazines he had left outside yesterday they were now full and placed down on the desk in front of him.
“Your bow is in the corner,” he said motioning behind him.
“‘Thanks,” he said but did not turn to look at the bow.
Commander Hudson sat down in the other chair, Dan study him and he seemed tired.
“Thought you might like to know some information. First the government had plans to set up a safe area in this town.”
“I know that,” Dan replied unsure of what was going on.
Commander Hudson just smiled.
“Second the train you found was a supply train for the town even damaged it is a gold mine of supplies. Rifles, ammunition, solar panels, wind generators, and the list goes on,” Commander Hudson paused looking at him before continuing.
“It was carrying chemicals tanks that breach when it derailed. The chemical were toxic, we figure the train derailed during a storm blowing over the town. Based on the small amount of fire damage. We think it happened during the town meeting we saw fliers for at the High School for residents and arriving refugees that would explain all the zombies outside.”
Dan nodded at this it made sense. It would explain many of the strange zombies he found.
“We think the wind blew the poison gas over the town killing many outright,” he continued.
Dan looked on that many zombies created quickly would overrun the rest of the town.
“We also think the government could not expend the resources to secure the place again so they left this place for now,” Commander Hudson continued.
His mind flashback to a drunken man in Baton Rouge talking about a safe area that was not.
Commander Hudson continued without noticing the distracted look on his face.
“So we will assume they will be back for it soon,” Commander Hudson said looking at him.
He studied Dan for a moment before continuing.
“That means we are going to grab what we can before they come back. I am planning t
o leave as many people here as possible to see about getting as many big rigs and trailers working, and loaded while the rest of us go back to Hope. We will send someone ahead so we can get more people to help.” Commander Hudson paused again to look at Dan who said nothing.
“I have received word Captain Jones is scouring the area looking for us. They will have heard rumors of what we’re doing. If they are smart they should be able to figure out where we went,” he continued.
“I will not be surprise if we find guards the next time anyone comes here. I am planning on leaving in two days,” Commander Hudson said quietly.
Dan sat and watched him for a moment.
“Why tell me,” he asked puzzled.
The hint of a smile formed around Commander Hudson’s lips.
“Thought you might like to know and see if you were going out to try to get some more salvage,” he said looking right at Dan.
He sat for a moment thinking before he reached for the metal forty-five clips and slipped them back into the magazine pouch he wore under his right shoulder.
“No I am done with this place,” he said quietly.
Glad to hear that,” the smile now fully on Commander Hudson’s lips.
“Will you tell me what, places and items you were holding out on?”
Dan chuckled slightly as he looked at Commander Hudson watching him.
“Is there anything in particular you are looking for,” he asked looking at the smile crossing the commander’s face.
“Yes there is,” he said opening the desk drawer once again and pulling out a sheet of paper.
Handing it to him to started reading over it for a moment. Looking down at the desk he picked up a pen sitting on it and started making check marks on the list.
“I will need to get my map,” he said looking over the list.
Commander Hudson reached into the desk and pulled out the map of the town Dan had given him.
“Not that map,” Dan said glancing down to the list. “My copy.”
Commander Hudson’s gray eyes regarded him for a moment as he laughed slightly.
‘Of course where is it,” he asked smiling.
“In my day pack,” he relied checking of another item on the list.
Commander Hudson stood and moved for the door.
“I will be right back,” he said.
Commander Hudson returned handing him the gray day pack. He opened it to remove a map in a zip lock bag. Unfolding the map on the desk. Commander Hudson looked down at all the notes written on the map.
“That is double the notes on my copy,” he stated.
“Of course I made that one after Sandra gave me a list of what she and you wanted. And I threw a few extra places in to make it look good,” he told him looking into his gray eyes.
Commander Hudson shook his head as he sat down. Picking up his list and the pen.
“Do you think anyone has found these places,” he asked as Dan looked up sat him silent.
“Of course not,” Commander Hudson said. “We would have heard.”
Dan finished putting his gear inside the black Mack truck as the morning sun was just starting to break through the clouds and stood with
the help of his crutches looking at it. While it would be two days, still before they left he wanted to be ready to leave at any moment. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mary approaching with three other members of the self-defense force team. The group stopped a short distance away but Mary continued walking right up to him.
“How are you doing,” she asked stopping he found this strange since it was only an hour ago, they sat having breakfast.
“All packed I see,” she said a little nervously looking at the truck.
“Yes I want to be ready to leave,” he replied while studying her trying to figure out where the conversation was going.
“But we leave in two days and Commander Hudson has given the all-clear to resume salvage work as long as we go in groups of four or more,” Marry said excitably.
Dan nodded his head in understanding knowing where this was going.
“I am out for now,” he said lifting the crutch showing it off with a flourish.
“I know, it just that I still have some free space for personal salvage and was looking to finish filling it,” Marry continued.
Remembering all the stuff they had found already in his storage area waiting for them to split later. Even recovering the jewelry and guns from the day all hell broke loose.
“And we don’t have duty,” Mary said motioning to the group of people behind her.
“So you are planning to go out,” he asked looking concerned.
“We would like to,” he saw Marry look at the two Golf carts and trailers he needed to finish loading.
“Would you like to use the carts and trailers,” Dan asked with a sigh.
“If you don’t mind,” Marry asked hope filling her voice.
Dan shifted on his crutches so he could look up into Mary’s face.
“Listen this place is bad news if you go out; remember what happen earlier at the store and what happen to me,” he said quietly. He watched as she blushed slightly then replaced by growing excitement.
“We will,” she agreed. “How can I forget either we will take care and watch each other’s backs,” she added.
He sighed while shaking his head slightly.
“Then sure,” he said looking at Mary’s obvious excitement. “And I will tell you what; I still have plenty of space left in my storage area. Use it all if you can,” Dan said with a slight smile.
“Thanks,” Mary said hugging him and almost knocking him off his crutches before she helped him regain his balance. Mary turned to leave motioning to the others towards the golf carts.
“Just a second,” Dan said causing her to pause. Moving he reached into the Mack truck pulling out a map of the town. Mary’s eyes went wide at seeing it.
“I thought Commander Hudson had that,” she said in awe.
Dan looked at her for a second before smiling.
“He has a copy. But not my personal copy,” he stated.
Marry looked shocked at what he had said as she looked around quickly to see who was watching. Shaking her head slightly at her friends by the carts while raising a hand in a stopping motion.
“I do not know what you are looking for,” he started unfolding the map.
“But you will find the stores on this street never mentioned in any briefings,” he told her pointing to a spot on the map.
“Thank you,” she said hugging him again.
He watched as she approached the other three self-defense force members and excitably told them the news.
The smile faded a bit as he watched their excitement at seeing the map as they hurriedly attached the trailers to the golf carts. Where they sat next to the big rig.
“Take care and good luck,” he told Mary as she climbed in to the cart joining the others going out for a day of salvaging.
“Just stay safe,” he called out after them.
The late afternoon sun found Dan moving about the truck with Katrina checking two golf carts with attached trailers. She had returned just minutes earlier with her mother. Turning they watched Mary and her friends drive up. The carts and trailer packed full of boxes and bags. The passenger of the cart holding more bags. Watching them get out Dan’s face started frowning as he spotted on man with gauze wrapped around his arm. Mary exited the driver seat and removed the SWAT armor she was wearing to set on the seat.
Mary catching where his eyes were looking as she walked up trying to give him the map.
“Nothing serious,” she said as he ignored the offered map.
The man look embarrassed at her statement as his friends laughed.
“It could have happened to anyone,” he snapped at them.
Dan looked over at him then to Mary.
“Those stores where a gold mine,” she started saying. “We were in one store and thought we heard something,” she continue
d.
“Steve,” Dan’s eyes shot to the guy wondering if that was Sara’s boyfriend. He was the right age. Steve noticed him looking at him as he became increased in something else.
“Moved into an aisle and swung his machete,” Marry said.
“It was dark,” Steve added.
Katrina looked on in interests listening to the story.
“What happen,” she asked.
Mary hesitated as her friends laughed at Steve’s embarrassment.
“I saw someone move,” he tried defending himself.
“You in a mirror,” his friend added in as Katrina smiled at the news.
Steve looked towards Dan for some reason his look giving him the impression he was Sara’s boyfriend. As he turned his attention to Steve.
“Been their done that,” he said shrugging.
Steve, Mary and the others looked at him shocked as Katrina turned to him looking amused.
“When,” she asked him smiling.
“I will tell you later,” Dan replied.
Mary once again offered him the map as he ignored it. He caught her friends looking at her expectantly.
“You know Commander Hudson’s plan,” she started asking as Dan nodded his head.
“We can go out again tomorrow because we volunteered to stay and help load the trucks,” she said as he looked at her expectantly.
“Can we take the carts tomorrow,” she asked.
Dan looked at her in amusement shaking his head as he caught the disappointed looks from her friends.
“Those will not fully charge by tomorrow,” he started watching Mary’s face fall in disappointment.
He pointed over to the two golf carts with trailers attached.
“Those have a full charge and rigged to tow two trailers,” he said as Mary shot forward to pull him into a hug.
She let go almost immediately when she realized she crushed his face into her large breasts. She turned looking a Katrina in a mix of nervousness and embarrassment. As Dan fought to stay standing on the crutches Katrina joined in laughing with the others at her embarrassment.
The Aftermath Trilogy (Book 2): The Aftermath [Town of the Dead] Page 21