Zombpocalypse (Book 1): Contingency

by Mariah Lynde

  Turning my head to find Cal farther up the aisle, my whole body went on red alert. Outside the tinkling sound of shattering glass and the groan of twisting metal left me in no doubt as to part of what was taking place. While it could have been a typical car accident, I knew that the possibility existed that it was crisis related.

  Before a single word could leave my mouth, Cal was at my side. His hand was suddenly at my elbow while he pushed me towards the makeshift cart where Christian had happily amused himself by singing to the plush dinosaur in his arms.

  “Ow! Hey!” I uttered as I tried to pull my arm out of Cal’s grip.

  “Don’t you dare start on me, Angel. Get the kid and get out of here. Now.” Gray eyes narrowed on me even as my own temper flared. Much as I might have agreed with him, I also knew that I needed to get these seeds while I could. There was every possibility that when things started to get bad, this place and others like it would be raided and cleaned out.

  While I could not say that would be exactly what would happen, it did seem like a real possibility. Moving to step back I peered up at Cal and scowled as I hissed out my reply.

  “Excuse me…Last I checked you weren’t exactly winning any awards for brilliance in this whole scenario.” Frowning, I shook my head. Cal’s gaze pointedly looked down towards the trolley where Christian sat and I turned my head as well. Seeing the little boy looking up in confusion, I did my best to offer a reassuring smile before I winked at him.

  Turning back towards Cal, my expression went back to its previously stormy countenance as I continued, “While I couldn’t agree more about getting Christian back to my home for safety, this is important too.”

  “More important than that little boy’s life? C’mon Angel, what possible excuse could you have for not beating feet and running right now? You’re just doing this to be difficult for the sake of being a bi-” My elbow slammed into Cal’s side before he could finish the sentence. Turning my head to peer at Christian and see he had found interest in his dinosaur once again, I looked back up at the overbearing male beside me.

  “In the long run, it is imperative for that little boy’s survival. Getting this stuff makes sure that we survive in the long run. I’d prefer getting all of this done now, then having to scavenge to try and find it in worse circumstances.” I hissed back softly, “Other than that, whatever is going on out there, running out while people panic and crowd around the scene could be more hurtful than helpful. What happens if a zombie caused the accident by reanimating… you think taking Christian out there when people could be letting the thing out is a wise idea? I didn’t bring in a weapon…did you?”

  My words pointedly delivered as I slowly turned my head to peer about the nearly empty feed store. As far as things went, if worse came to worse, the aisles and their multitude of items would offer some decent run time in tangling up anything coming near us.

  “My god, you really do think in strategy all the time.” Cal stared at me dumb founded and then shook his head. “Fine, what do you suggest we do?”

  “Grab what we can and head to the counter. Keep checking on what’s going on outside to be sure we’re not walking into some kind of mad ambush when we step outside.” I muttered softly before moving to push the cart up the aisle. A couple of steps along the way I just started grabbing seed packets and tossing them down onto the trolley which amused Christian to no end.

  “Stop, Angiel!” His small giggle had me chortling softly despite the fact there happened to be a feeling of dread creeping over me as I peered outside. A whole throng of people surrounded the two cars on the street and blocked my view of the scene from where I stood within the store.

  More than anything I wanted to know what had caused that accident so I knew just what it was I happened to be dealing with. The fact that I could not even get a decent view of what was taking place only served to frustrate me a little more than normal. However, peering down at Christian I feigned a lighter attitude and played along, “Stop what, little man?”

  “You makin’ it rain seeds on mah head.” That plush tyrannosaurus waved about wildly in front of me and I gave another snicker. While I actively tried to keep Christian amused, my mind happened to be focused on getting a better assessment of just what was taking place outside. “I have no idea what you mean. Are you sure about that? Maybe it’s Rexy!”

  Even as I spoke, one hand moved to grab a packet of carrot seeds to send them flying towards where the little boy sat before me. A soft shaking sound emerging as the packet dropped on his shoulder and fell to the platform of the cart while Christian gave another small giggle.

  “Yesssssssssssssss! You just did it again!” He pointed at me with one arm outstretched. “Rexy is bein’ a good boy cuz he wants chick’n.”

  “I’m sure he does.” Pushing the cart towards the front of the store, I turned my head to see Cal peering at me warily. “What?” I asked quietly.

  “At this moment, I’m trying to figure out just how this is supposed to work. If things out there are bad, we have to avoid being caught up in it as best as we can.”

  “Yes, but that won’t happen if you jump at the first idea you have every time.” I answered softly, “Besides which, if we get these supplies handled now and taken care of, we have one less thing to try and venture out for later.”

  Cal offered a somber nod as we made our way towards the register. I could tell by the frown set on his lips that he didn’t really agree with my assessment but refused to argue the point. At least it could be said that he was learning.

  Making our way to the counter, I pushed the cart up to the register and started to unload packets from the trolley to the small, worn conveyor belt. Peering at the rather rotund man behind the counter, I smiled as he nodded in my direction. If nothing else, trying to appear as relaxed as possible while Christian began dumping packets onto the belt right alongside me.

  Errantly, my eyes moved to the glass windows that adorned the front of the store. Peering out to try and get an idea of what exactly seemed to be happening out there, I stilled as I caught sight of something that I’d not seen before. Standing there in the middle of the parking lot, was a small, black metal trailer. Honestly, it seemed small, the simple metal grate type pattern making it obvious it had only been meant to haul small loads from one place to another. While it may not have been fancy, it could serve as an appropriate way to transport some of the many supplies that I’d acquired.

  “Is that for sale?”The question slipped out of my mouth unbidden while the scene out on the road was forgotten.

  “What?” That slightly uneven vocal drawl had my head whipping around as I narrowed my gaze on the man. Honestly, looking at him seemed kind of like I was peering at a giant, oversized human hutt. Skin hung off his cheeks in meaty, jowly folds that jiggled with every single breath he took and flapped wildly as he spoke, “Ya mean that trailer over yonder?”

  “Yes. How much?” I asked softly, suddenly grateful I had agreed to have the towing package included with the Explorer.

  “Six hundred plus tax.” He gave a wide, toothless grin. His expression left me under no illusion that he was trying to price gouge the hell out of me. Honestly, when the world went to hell, what would it matter…I could just come back and take it. Financially, there was no way I could afford it. I may have been pretty frugal to date, but if I happened to be wrong, I couldn’t afford such a large mistake.

  “I see.” Frowning a little as I placed the last of the seed packets up on the belt, I shook my head.

  “We’ll take it.” From over my shoulder Cal spoke and for the first time that day I found myself feeling grateful for his presence. I couldn’t deny that I wanted that trailer to facilitate my own needs, but why he seemed all too eager to jump on board all of the sudden made me leery. Still, I was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. If it happened to be in Cal’s nature to help in my acquisition of that trailer, I would be an idiot to argue.

  Apparently, I had not been the only one
shocked by that particular proclamation. The rather rotund man in front of me gaped at Cal as if he’d grown a second head. More than that he started to stammer as he choked out a reply, “You…um… You sure you wanna do that, son? I mean what all do you know about haulin’ stuff? You look like a nice young man so what use do you have in knowin’ anythin’ about that?”

  “What I know is this…the lady here wants it. If the lady says we need it, we’re going to be getting it.” Cal answered resolutely while I arched a brow and peered over at him.

  Screw looking the gift horse in the mouth, his abrupt about face had layers of creep written all over it. Shaking my head I moved to pick Christian up off the trolley and settle him on my hip as I peered at Cal and hissed in a whisper.

  “What the hell are you doing?” The words were out of my mouth before I could even think to stop them. In the line of being grateful that he was capitulating to my plan, this would not be helping my case. I knew it was coming off as bitchy, but quite frankly the sudden change in his demeanor was making me paranoid about just what he had in mind.

  “I’m getting you that damned trailer. I know you, you wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important. Besides, if getting the trailer serves to get me somewhat back in your good graces, I’ll definitely take it.” He muttered softly and shook his head.

  “I won’t lie. It helps knowing you’re trying to use it as a buy off. That definitely makes a lot more sense than just shelling out the money at random without knowing my reason why.” I answered softly just in time to see him turning his head to look over at me.

  “Despite what you may believe I’m not completely brain dead. Common sense and reasoning is something I’m capable of. I figure the trailer is to help haul supplies when you’re ready to leave here. While the Explorer itself has plenty of room, the amount of supplies you’re stockpiling…” He trailed off and that left me staring at him in something close to amazement.

  “Well, hot damn, there may be hope for you after all.” I muttered softly.

  “Hot damn!” Christian chimed in and I suddenly jerked in surprise. I’d have to remember that I had a little one constantly watching me from here on out.

  “Hey now!” I started as I turned to look to the boy settled on my hip, “Should you be saying that?”

  “Noooooooooo. But you said it Angiel!” Grinning at me as Rexy smacked me in the face, I could tell this little scamp was more than used to getting his own way.

  “Well, just because I say something, doesn’t mean you should repeat it. I think you know that, don’tcha?” I watched as the look on Christian’s face became crestfallen. His lower lip stuck out in an obvious pout before he spoke in a soft, grumpy little voice.

  “Does this mean no chick’n?”

  “Are you gonna do it again?” I shot back.

  “No, I’se be good.” He vowed solemnly with a single nod.

  “Then I believe we’re still getting chicken.” Chuckling, I turned back to Cal, picking back up our conversation, “You sure about this?”

  “As a heart attack. The way I figure it, when everything goes down, money is not gonna be doing anyone much good.” He shrugged a little. Not that he was wrong. I couldn’t agree with his assessment more, but the fact he seemed to be prescribing to my special brand of apocalyptic mindset was off putting.

  “True enough.” Honestly, that happened to be the only way I could think to reply to what he had just said. While I could have chosen to go off the rails and argue the point, I had no intention of letting Bubba Joe here in on just why that trailer was so important. While yes, in the occurrence of zombie apocalypse, money might not be a factor, if said catastrophe didn’t happen I didn’t want there to be a price gouging of Cal’s wallet.

  God knew, if that happened he’d likely make me pay back every single cent even if I did save his life…the bastard. Even while this was taking place in my head, to the rest of them, I merely seemed to be paying attention to the soft beep of purchases being rung up on the register. Both Cal and ‘Bubba Joe’ as I had deemed him were watching me warily as I peered up at them and tilted my head, “What?”

  “Are ya sure abou’ that trailer, missy? I’m sure we could find you something better suited to your needs if’nya tell me what yer needing it for.” Squinty little eyes focused on me with intensity and I shifted under the weight of his gaze. This guy was fishing for something, but what that might be I couldn’t tell. For a brief moment I considered that my paranoia might be getting the better of me, at least until I realized that beside me Cal had gone stock still.

  Officially, I had been right, this guy was far more interested in why I thought we needed the trailer than he should be. Apparently, my radar about being a shyster had been more than correct. Scary thing that.

  Whatever answer I chose to give this man, it needed to be a good one that brooked no argument. More than that, I needed to be sure it didn’t give him an opening to charge Cal more money or trick us into looking or waiting for a better deal. My mind raced, turning over and shifting to try and find some plausible excuse that wouldn’t make it seem like I needed to be committed to a nut house somewhere.

  Peering at Cal, then down to the boy settled against me, I knew this was one of those times where a simple answer could make or break the whole of the situation. Shoring up my mental defenses, my mind rolled through the options, settling on the one thing I could think of that would seem the most believable. I could only hope that he’d buy it.

  “Oh, yeah. That one will be fine. We just need it to haul some boxes back home when we go to visit. Once we do that I can prob’ly sell it to my dad so he has something to haul around his lawnmower to the church.” Offering a smile, I gave a nod but I expected good ole ‘Bubba Joe’ to snort and laugh.

  Part of the problem with having a lack of filter, happened to be you also lacked the ability to lie convincingly. All I could hope for at this point, would be that my story seemed plausible. This was the south, where church, god, and guns came before common sense.

  “Well, then. That’s what a good girl like you would always do. I’m sure your daddy will be proud that you’re thinkin’ of helping him and the church.” That toothless grin that he gave me was shudder inducing. Looking away to feign some kind of bashfulness, I became grateful to have that as an excuse to not look at the clerk’s face.

  “So we’ll take everything you’ve rung up and the trailer.” Cal interjected, giving me the opportunity to peer down at Christian and offer a smile. He remained thankfully oblivious to just what was going on around him.

  In the long run, I suppose I could look at that as something to be grateful for. If Christian could remain oblivious and happily steeped in childlike wonder, at least for a while, he would be a little easier to manage.

  “That comes to eight hundred and seventy-two ninety.” Bubba Joe’s voice sounded far too pleased than one would consider acceptable, “…unless you two need to buy a tow kit so you can use that trailer.”

  There it was, the catch. His toothless smile, was about as sleazy as you could get. This time, I could only grin back in a small self-indulgent way.

  “Oh no, we won’t need that, but thank you.” Every word I uttered dripped with a healthy amount of smug assuredness. Something I happened to be more than grateful for when the cashier stared at me agape.

  “Well, how the hell you gonna haul that trailer without one little girl?” Someone would have had to have been blind not to see the man back peddling from genial sales person, to irritated redneck. It never failed that you could always learn someone’s true colors when you threw something unexpected in front of them. My little denial of his offer of a ‘tow package’ had ‘Bubba Joe’ floundering and reverting back to his good ole boy way of thinking.

  Admittedly, knowing full well that he thought I just happened to be some dumb woman who belonged in the kitchen rather than out in the open, made this all the sweeter. It was not lost on me that just such a thing possibly made me an asshole at the v
ery least, but hey…you had to take your moments where you could get them.

  “Well, my Daddy always told me that small cars would never serve you well when you really needed something. So when I got my Explorer, I made sure it came with a tow package.” Knowing full well, I wanted to and should have been as snarky as possible, I opted for something else instead. That sweet southern lilt to my voice adding to the down home country girl I was trying to pull off. Of course, while it may have worked on our friendly feed store clerk, the man beside me was virtually vibrating with the need to laugh.

  Cal had been in no way fooled by my change in demeanor. At this point, I wanted to beat the hell out of him, but I already knew that doing so would put me more at risk of blowing my cover. Peering at the clerk I offered what I hoped was a sweet smile, and Christian giggled softly from where I held him on my hip.

  “Your daddy is a wise man to give his girl such good advice.” The man grumped, but seemed appeased by the answer I had given. God knows I wanted to yell at him for thinking that such a decision had actually been one I made on my own. What made the whole situation worse were his next words, “Ya’ll are good kids to be takin’ care of your family like that. Not many married folks nowadays do right by their people.”

  For a moment, I stood there in shock. To have myself linked to Cal in such a way had every fiber of my being screaming in outrage. As if realizing just what kind of nuclear explosion was threatening to happen, said man’s arm wrapped around me to pull me in against his side. I suddenly found that I couldn’t breathe as his arm tightened its hold on me.

  “Well, we try to anyway.” Cal answered, his voice wavering with the unleashed laughter. Internally I raged, waiting to yell, kick, scream or let loose in any and all ways necessary to stop this particular farce, but to no avail. With Christian locked to my side, I had my hands full holding him in place instead of trying to break the hold Cal’s arm had gotten around my waist.