She thought she caught movement in a curtain and stopped suddenly, training her rifle on the back window. Waiting a few minutes, she continued on when nothing happened. She was surprised at how natural her weapon felt in her hands. Brad had told her that was the way it was supposed to be, your weapon was an extension of you. She slowed her breathing down as she kept watching the curtain. Someone moved the curtain again but she still couldn’t make out who or what. Slowly the window raised and a rifle barrel protruded aiming roughly to her left. She watched as it scanned back towards her and stopped. A hand appeared and waved at them. She slowly waved back, hoping that whoever it was wouldn’t shoot. She held her breath and was rewarded with the hand beckoning them down and the rifle being drawn back inside.
“I’ll go down and see who it is. You stay here and cover me. If it even looks iffy, shoot them.” Julie said and rose to her knee.
“I’ve got you.” Donna said, keeping her rifle trained on the window. Julie had misgivings about going, thinking they should just continue on, but something told her that she needed to go to the house. Julie rose to a crouch and worked her way down the slight incline to the window. The curtain moved and an elderly lady of about eighty stuck her head up and smiled.
“I was afraid you was one of those drugged out assholes that were running around. My name’s Marilyn. Marilyn Chester. I ain’t left my house since all this madness started.” Marilyn said.
“I’m Julie. I work at Memorial along with my friend, Donna. We’ve been working our way home since this started.” Julie explained.
“Memorial?” Marilyn looked at her questioningly, “The hospital downtown?”
“That’s the one.” Julie admitted and the old woman scoffed.
“No way in hell you made it out from downtown. News said it was run over with these lunatics before it went off’n the air.” Marilyn said.
“It was. We waited until night and walked the hill over the tunnel instead of going through it. We got a ride to near Hamilton Place and have been staying off the road.” Julie explained and the old lady nodded understanding.
“That’s probably a damned good thing you did. Whole damned worlds turned ass-over-tea kettle. Whereabouts y’all heading?” Marilyn asked.
“Over by Ocoee, eventually. We met a lady that worked off Market Street that was walking the railroad tracks, like we were. She lives in McDonald, so we’re trying to get her home first. If she still has one.” Julie answered. Marilyn whistled quietly.
“There’s good news and bad news. “Marilyn explained.” The good news is that you’re almost home. The bad news is that you still have to get through Cleveland.” The old woman smiled and Julie returned it.
“Yes ma’am, that sounds about right. Is there anything we can do for you while we’re here?” Julie asked.
“Not unless you got my heart pills in your pack there.” Marilyn grinned and then waved the answer away just as Julie started to say something “I know you sure as hell ain’t got any, but that’s okay. I’m eighty-six years old. Been living here for the last forty years. Lost my husband, John, about twenty years ago, never had no kids, been living by myself all that time.”
“I’m sorry about your husband.” Julie offered, but Marilyn waved her off.
“Don’t be. He was a no-account, lazy, good fer nothin’ sumbitch if there ever was one. No, I’ll be fine for a few days. Probably pass in my sleep.” She cackled, “As a matter of fact, I got most of a quart o’ moonshine says I will.” She smiled again.” Your welcome to any food or anything else in here ya might want after I’m gone.” Marilyn offered, but the tears in the woman’s eyes told a different story.
“Thank you, ma’am, but we’ll be long out of your hair before that happens.” Julie explained and the old woman nodded.
“Well. Good luck to you. It was awful nice to meet you.” Marilyn said and Julie said her goodbye before heading back to her friends. After filling them in to what happened, Donna just shook her head.
“Old girls like that will probably outlive all of us.” Donna smirked.
“She seemed tough, that’s for sure. Let’s get moving and get Vicki home.” Julie said as she tightened the straps on her pack and readjusted her rifle sling.
Gus was still pulling Tail-End- Charlie as they made their way a little further up the mountain and away from civilization.
“We should’ve stuck to the damned tracks.” Donna said.
“Yeah, but that would’ve brought us a little too close to houses, roads, civilization, and crazies.” Julie huffed.
“You worried about ticks?” Vicki asked and grinned.
“Ticks? Really? I hate them, but it’s chiggers I’m wanting to dodge.” Donna answered and stepped back on the trail.
Progress had been very slow since they were basically traversing against the incline. They had to stop often to rest. Even Gus seemed to be having trouble, having slipped and almost going over one especially steep part before he recovered. Julie snickered when he looked around.
“Nobody saw that, big guy. You’re good.” She said patting his neck.
“I’m just glad we didn’t try this shit at night.” Donna said and Vicki nodded.
“The good part is that my house is just down there.” Vicki pointed to a huge house in the middle of a field.
“That’s your house? Isn’t that MacFarlane Farms?” Donna asked and Vicki nodded.
“Yeah, but don’t get all excited. We’re up to our ass in bills. Darren, my husband, is a good lawyer, but he’s not an accountant.” Vicki replied.
“Well, let’s get you home then.” Julie said and started to stand up, but Donna grabbed her arm.
“Why don’t we just hang out here, rest up a little, and observe for a while.” Donna advised and Julie sat back down and nodded.
“Thanks for that. I probably would’ve led us into something bad.” Julie admitted.
“I told you, sister; I got your back. Yours too Vicki.” She looked back and smiled “Gus, you’re on your own. You’re starting to smell a bit.”. Gus just looked at her and went to grazing on a bunch of wild onions he’d found.
The sun was starting to set when Donna volunteered to scout out the farm.
“They don’t know you. If you show up, my husband or one of the hands might just shoot you.” Vicki said, “I’ll go with you.” She offered.
“Vicki’s right. We could stay up here all night and not know what the hell is going on down there. I’ll go with her.” Julie said and Donna shook her head.
“Ain’t happening. I volunteered first. Besides, I need to stretch my legs, if you catch my drift. You do have toilets down there?” Donna asked Vicki, who nodded.
“Wait. What if there’s no one there? What if your family was affected by the virus? There’s a lot of ‘if’s’ here.” Julie reminded them and Vicki sighed and sat heavily on the ground.
“I don’t know. I’ve been thinking of what to do; I guess I could just stay here. There’s plenty of food, the house has well water. Besides, someone has to tend to the horses.” Vicki said.
“Horses? As in horses? Plural?” Julie said and Vicki nodded.
“We have ten. If no one’s there, then they probably haven’t been fed or watered.” Vicki said, her eyes widening in realization of what that meant, “We have to get down there!”
“Yes, we do. But we’ve got to be cautious.” Julie said. The other ladies nodded in agreement as they slowly worked their way to the outer fence. The split rail fence seemed intact as far as they could see, but to Julie that meant nothing. She flipped her rifle from safe to fire with Donna following her lead. Gus walked up to the fence and scented deeply, whimpering at something and pawing the ground.
“Well this isn’t good. I hate to do this, but Vicki, it’s your place. Lead on.” Julie said as Vicki climbed the fence. Donna grabbed Julie’s arm again.
“My turn. You stay here with Gus, since he’s fond of you. I’ll radio you the all clear.” Donna said and slipped between
the rails. Julie sighed and relaxed against the fence, knowing that Donna was right. Gus continued to press against the fence, but, much to Julie’s relief, was still acting passive.
Vicki slunk to a low crouch and led Donna to the main barn.
“Psst. Aren’t we going to the house first?” Donna whispered.
“No. If there’s anyone left here that’s not infected, the horses will have been taken care of. If they haven’t, we’ll deal with them later. Horses first, after all, they’re probably in their stalls.” Vicki said. Donna pointed towards the barn with her rifle.
“Led on, but know this; if you fuck me, you’ll be the first person I shoot.” Donna warned and Vicki studied her for a moment before nodding.
Once at the barn, Donna nudged Vicki out of the way and slowly opened the big door. No shots fired at her so she quickly ducked inside and motioned for Vicki to wait for a second then then went stall to stall checking, before quickly returning.
“The horses are all here but I don’t see any food or anything.” Donna reported and Vicki shouldered her way past, picking up a bag of feed.
“You wanna help? They need water. There’s a hose by the office and a stack of buckets.” Vicki said and Donna sighed heavily and got to work.
Gus got a little antsy suddenly.
“What is it boy?” Julie whispered, hugging his neck in an effort to calm him down. He snorted and took a quick step back before walking back up to the fence and snorting again. Julie quickly grabbed her rifle and looked around. Nothing appeared in her NVG’s. She was baffled as to why Gus was acting up. She was about to climb over the fence when the ear bud from the radio went off in her ear.
“Oh, holy fuck!” Donna said.
Zack and Wolf
Hopewell, TN
Wolf took the lead as Zack made his way across the last bridge. He was so close to the house he could almost smell it. Almost. He could almost swear the damned trailer was growing heavier as he trudged his way across the bridge when Wolf abruptly stopped, looking off in the distance. He brought the bike to a stop next to the dog and dismounted, bringing the rifle around to bear. Wolf growled lowly. Looking through the scope, Zack didn’t see anything.
“I’m not getting it, Wolf. I’m not seeing what’s got you all bent outta shape.” Zack whispered. The dog turned to look at him like he’d lost his damned mind, and then back whatever had his attention. Zack shook his head and scanned the area again, this time seeing someone in the distance slowly walking towards them.
“Shit.” He hissed. If it was a crazy, he’d have to shoot, possibly bringing more out to play. If it wasn’t, then it was someone who could follow him back to the farm. That was definitely not going to work. Unlike his father-in-law, he wasn’t about to shoot first and ask questions later, but he didn’t want to put the family at risk either. Fortunately, he was sure the other person couldn’t see them. At least he hoped. He looked up at the empty church ahead.
“C’mon boy.” He said quietly and remounted the bike, and worked his way across the bridge and into the driveway. The only place he could think of hiding was behind the church, he just hoped Wolf wouldn’t give them away. Fortunately, the church was paved all the way around and he parked the bike and trailer behind it. Wolf padded along next to him. He made his way back around to the front corner to get a better look and see where the person was at and was surprised to see the person running quickly towards him.
“Stay still and be quiet.” He told Wolf, but the dog paid him no attention. He just waited until the person drew closer and calmly trotted to the front of the driveway and sat waiting.
“Wolf! Get back here!” Zack hissed, and still the dog ignored him. “I am not fucking believing this.” Zack muttered and drew a bead on the man’s, he could now see, head. Controlling his breathing and getting ready to squeeze a round off if he needed too. The man got to within ten feet of Wolf, when he stopped and sniffed. He looked directly at the dog and sniffed again. Wolf didn’t budge. The man giggled and took a step toward the dog and before Zack could stroke the trigger, Wolf leapt up and sank his jaws around the man’s throat. The man tried to swat the dog away, but Wolf held tight, bringing the crazy to his knees. Wolf jerked backwards three times before backing away, letting the crazy fall face first into the pavement. The man’s feet twitched for a few seconds as a dark pool flowed under his face.
“Well, shit, Wolf; remind me not to piss you off anytime.” Zack said as the dog returned to him. Zack opened a bottle of water and used it to clean Wolf’s muzzle as best he could, letting the dog take a drink from his cupped hand when he was finished and remounted the bike for the final push home. One last look through the scope and he didn’t see anyone and Wolf looked like he was ready to get moving.
He wheeled the bike up to where he should turn off the road to the driveway back to the farm and stopped. Thumbing the radio, he called Katie, but got no answer. His pulse quickened a little as he tried three more times. Nothing.
“Shit, Wolf, we’ve got to GO!” he whispered and rode as quickly as he could, cursing the heavy load the entire time. When he made it close enough, he ditched the bike and brought the rifle around to bear again. The front gate was wide open and his heart hammered in his chest.
“Shit.” He hissed and quietly made his way towards the house. Wolf quickly looked at the open front door and charged in. “Double shit!” he murmured and charged behind the dog.
Two people were busy helping themselves to the contents of the cupboard when Wolf leapt, grabbing one by the back of the neck and wrestling him to the ground. The other person wheeled around completely surprised, dropping the pillow case full of canned goods. Zack leveled the rifle and fired, hitting the target three times in the chest. Wolf was trying hard to get the other flipped over so he could end it when it screamed.
“Someone get this fucking dog off me!” in a lady’s voice.
“Wolf, heel.” Zack said and surprisingly the dog did. The woman sat up.
“Please don’t shoot me! We was just scavenging for food. We didn’t mean no harm.” The woman pleaded.
“Where’s my wife and daughter?” Zack asked.
“They ain’t here. The place was empty when we found it.” She explained and Zack sighed in relief.
“How did you find this place?” he asked, never moving the rifle barrel.
“We used to live next door and me and Davey snuck in here to see what y’all was up to. After this all started, we thought we’d get some extra food. Honestly, mister. If we’d knowed someone was here, we never woulda bothered.”
“You should’ve stayed away.” Zack said as he squeezed the trigger, ending the woman. Wolf went up and sniffed the corpses, satisfied that they were dead and backed away. He heard the downstairs door open and turned around to see Katie and rushed to give her a hug.
“The alarm let us know, but we were already downstairs. I’d left the radio up here.” She cried into his chest.
“Smart move, but never forget the radio.” He said hugging her. “I’ve gotta get these bodies out of here and the place cleaned up before Kenna sees this.” He explained as he let her go. He picked up the man in a fireman’s carry and went out the still open door, Wolf in tow.
It took three hours for him to dig the graves in the field behind the fence line and when he walked back into the house, Katie had cleaned it up. He sat heavily at the kitchen table as she handed him a cup of coffee.
“I could’ve stopped this from happening if I’d been here.” Zack said, dejectedly.
“No, sooner or later this was bound to happen. I’m just glad we were downstairs.” Katie rubbed his hand and he nodded.
“Gotta get on the horn with Pops and let him know what happened.” He said.
“Done. He’s anxious to get moving this way. I also brought the bike in and put everything away.” Katie smiled.
“Those bags were heavy.” He said and she just smiled.
“I’m stronger than I look.” She replied and he nodd
ed.
He told her about the crazies in the Dollar General and the one Wolf took out on the way home.
“I’m glad he went with you. I’m thinking I’m also glad he found us.” Katie said.
“You think this is going to get worse?” Zack asked and she nodded.
“Between the crazies and folks getting desperate, hell yes.” She said and he nodded.
“I need to figure out a way to camouflage that driveway better. I damned sure need to erase those bike tracks later today.” He sighed.
“Yeah, well, right now you need to get some rest.” She said and pointed to their bedroom. He sighed and nodded, wearily standing and walking back that way. Wolf looked at him, looked at Katie and curled up around her feet. She rubbed his head.
“I’m sure glad you’re here boy.” She said. The dog looked up at her before lying his head back down and sighing. She admired the dog, thinking he was a Godsend. He sure made himself at home quickly. Maybe that was a good thing. After making sure the alarms were set, she went back downstairs to snuggle with her daughter, who would be none too happy to wake up in the bunker alone. She knew Zack would know where they were and she also knew Wolf would be looking out for him.
Jessie
Cleveland, TN
Jessie’s eyes popped wide open the second someone tapped her shoulder. She was about to draw her pistol when she saw it was Dillon. She sighed and sat up.
“Where the hell have you been?” she whispered.
“You ain’t gonna believe what I just saw. The people in the jail have lost their damned minds. They were taking one prisoner and squishing his head through the bars over the windows, then going and getting another. I mean popped like a zit on prom night.” He shook his head, “I freaking puked when I saw that.”
Three Days From Home Page 14