“Are they outside the jail?” she asked.
“Hell no! Thankfully their all inside still, but damn. That ain’t nothing ya wanna see.” He explained.
“We still have to get past the strip mall and Walmart before we get to the trails on the other side of the gas station.” Jessie explained.
“Yeah, that’s true. But y’all are tired. I’m tired. And we have a kid with us. Let’s get some rest and see what tomorrow brings?” he suggested and she nodded before he continued, “I’m wide awake after that shit. You get some sleep and I’ll wake you when I get tired.” He said and she nodded and lay her head back on her pack. It sucked to be within a fifteen-minute drive and not having that option, but Zack was right; they were exhausted. They weren’t used to sleeping with one eye opened, as the saying went, and on top of the walking, it was overpowering. She hadn’t even realized she’d fallen asleep until someone tapped on her shoulder again.
“Baby, I’ve got to get some sleep. Mind taking the next watch?” Dillon asked.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes.
“No. Go ahead. I’ve got this.” She assured him. He looked at her questioningly.
“Are you sure? Because you know how you are.” Dillon said, referencing her ability to appear totally awake and then right back to sleep in an instant.
“Yes, I’m awake. I’m up. Now go get some sleep.” She hissed, obviously annoyed. She dug out her next to the last water bottle and sipped on it for a few. The noise from the jail had quieted down, so either they were out of victims or all dead. Either way, she was not going to look after what Dillon told her. She fished out two MRE’s and started heating one for Spencer, because she knew he’d be awake the instant he smelled food, and then started her own heating. She hated wasting the water in the heater packs, but she knew they both needed hot food. She really wanted coffee, but the Esbit heater gave off fumes that burned her eyes. She heard someone stir and wasn’t surprised when Spencer came over. She smiled and roughed his hair, handing the kid his breakfast, or lunch, or whatever it was. The kid mumbled his thanks and set about devouring the chili-mac.
Jess didn’t even taste hers as she pondered on the last few days. It might have been quicker for them to have just headed straight to the farm, but her dad had been adamant about coming to the house first. In hindsight, that had been a very good plan. From the way the crazies were herding, they probably would’ve walked right into one. Then there was Spencer. That they’d found him, or rather he’d found them, was miraculous. He’d have been caught out and killed or starved to death on his own. Now all they had to do was make it to the house. The backroads they’d always trained on were out. Fortunately, they’d found some trails in the past that, hopefully, would still get them there, just be a little harder to walk.
She fished out her maps and started looking. They had to stay away from Treasury Drive, because that’s where Wal-Mart was and she didn’t want to go anywhere near that place. The crazies hung out there before all of this started, so she imagined they’d flock there just because that’s what they were used to. The next road they had to cross was Blue Springs, that had seen a lot of damage and loss of life during a tornado outbreak a few years earlier. Fortunately, the housing developments were located farther away from where they would be going. So far, so good.
Next up was Rogers Drive, that held a subdivision and that was a problem. If they skirted to the other side of the highway, they’d be okay because there was nothing there. They would be fine until they got to the crossroad with Buchanon. There was a subdivision right up to the highway on the left side, and Treasury Drive and Wal-Mart on the right. The only way that she saw they could possible do it was right smack down the middle of the highway until they passed Angela’s Diner. Jessie sighed, she was going to miss that place. That was it then, because once they made it to Waterlevel Highway/ U.S. 64, it was time to dive back into the woods.
Crystal finally woke up and ate her MRE cold, not wanting to take the time to heat it.
“I never minded cold spaghetti before, why should I now.” She grinned at Jessie.
“You’re not right, Crystal. Love ya, but you’re not right. How are you doing on water?” Jessie asked.
“I’ve got three bottles left, plus a little in the bag-thingy.” She said.
“Good. I might have to bum a bottle off you for Spencer until we get to the creek. Then we’ll run it through the filters and fill everything back up.” Jessie explained.
“Yeah, but doesn’t it still have to be boiled?” Crystal asked.
“Nope. These filters take out pretty much everything, well they do take out everything that’ll hurt you.” Jessie explained.
She left Spencer with Crystal and went to scout out the area, just in case something or someone was sneaking up on them. The area was absolutely eerie, there was no sound but the wind and a slight rustling of grass as it passed over it. No cars, no people, no barking dogs, nothing. Even the birds were quiet, as if they knew something bad was out. She shivered and went back to camp just as they sun was setting. Dillon had slept a few hours and was just waking up.
“I can’t sleep. It’s too damned quiet.” He complained.
“Not even the birds or bugs are making noise. Wonder what that’s about?” Jessie replied.
“Usually means something’s around.” Dillon said, fishing out an MRE.
“There’s not. I scouted around for a little while. Nothing. Not even a stray dog.” She informed him.
“I wish you would’ve woke me first. I don’t like the idea of you being out there by yourself.” Dillon complained and Jess rolled her eyes at him.
“I shoot way better than you do, and I can damned sure run faster.” She told him and he sat back and quieted up, knowing that not only was she right, but he’d lost the argument the minute he’d opened his mouth.
“Pick your battles.”, her father had told him back when they were dating, “Arguing with her is like arguing with a fencepost; it doesn’t listen and really doesn’t care what you have to say. She’s always been that way.”. Looking back on it, Pops had been right about that.
“So, we’re pretty much screwed for a little while. I’ve looked over the maps, until we get past Angela’s Diner, we’ll have to walk on the other side of the road for a bit, then right down the middle of APD 40 until we get past the diner. From there, it’s woods the whole way.” Jessie explained pointing out the map under a red lensed flashlight. Dillon looked over the route she’d planned and sighed.
“Yeah, looks like you’re right about that. Shit.” He spat. “This is not going to be fun. Let’s stay in the grass so that we make less noise and if we have to run, hit the pavement.” He suggested and everyone nodded in agreement.
“Okay, Dillon, you’ve got point, Spencer and Crystal in the middle and I’ll be Tail-End Charlie.” Jessie said and Dillon grinned
“Listen to you. Tail-End Charlie.” He snickered.
“Dillon.” She warned.
“Just kidding, dear. Okay, let’s load up and head out. I want to make it to Pop’s place by morning.” Dillon said and they all donned their gear.
Fortunately, the crickets and cicadas started making their racket soon after they started, taking away some of the eeriness. They crossed quickly over the four-lane highway, with Dillon stopping to heft Spencer over both sets of guardrails. Not having the benefit of night vision, Spencer followed right behind Dillon, who’d set a slower pace for the little guy. The thought of that made Jessie smile. She’d always figured his goofy ass would make a good father someday, and it looked like he might have just fallen into the position. But that would be up to Spencer, in time.
As they approached Treasury Drive, they could hear what sounded like a party going on down the road at Wal-Mart, which was just out of eyesight and down a small hill on the other side of a now dead stop light. That was fine with Jess. She didn’t want to know what they were up to, and if something kept them busy while they slipped past, all the bette
r. They passed the gas station with the black and red “HT” sign that had always advertised as having “Pure Gas. No Alcohol”.
The little strip mall that offered a place that bought gold, and a hair dresser was next, but it was exactly like it could have been found on a normal workday, vacant. Jessie sighed in relief over that. She was worried about Spencer, but the kid was holding his own. After they’d crossed over Appalachian and were at a small wooded area at the on ramp, Dillon led them over to take a small break. Jess opened a bottle of water and handed it to Spencer.
“Go slow with that. Might make you sick if you suck it down.” Jessie warned.
“How much water do you have left?” Dillon asked.
“That and one more.” She answered.
“I’ve got three, so take one of mine. You two will need it until we get to the creek back behind that gravel place. We’ll take a break and refill everything from there.” Dillon said, handing her a bottle from his pack.
“How ya holding up, kiddo?” Jessie asked, taking the water bottle and slipping it into her pack.
“I’m fine. Just don’t leave me.” Spencer pleaded. Dillon roughed the kid’s hair.
“Never, sport. You’re one of us now. Are you okay with that?” Dillon asked.
“Yeah, it’s just so dark.” Spencer said.
“When we get to Pop’s place, I’m sure he’ll have an extra pair of these goggles for you. God knows, he’s got spares for his spares.” Dillon said.
After a half hour break, they headed out again, once again crossing to the other side of the road to stay away from the motel next to the pawn shop, which itself was next to Angela’s Country Restaurant. Once they’d cleared that, Dillon led them across again and wasted no time in finding the trail. No sooner than they’d crossed when they heard the thumping of many feet running on the pavement.
“Shit.” He hissed and ushered them deeper into the woods as he took a knee behind a tree. One man, he had no way of knowing if it was a crazy or not, led a group of about twenty in hot pursuit. He motioned for everyone to get down, but found they’d already done that, so he returned his attention to the foot race in front of him. The leader was a solid ten yards ahead of the group and seemed to be gaining, but how long the guy could hold that, he had no idea because it looked like the crazies weren’t even close to being winded yet.
Dillon waited five minutes after the big group before he stood and worked to where the others huddled.
“That was some shit. I hope that was another crazy out front. If not, dude is screwed.” He said and led them deeper into the woods with Spencer in tow. Around the corral like fencing that held a trucking company’s empty trailers and back behind the BP, where Dillon called for a quick break.
“I want to scout out this road before we cross it.” He whispered.
“You mean Durkee?” Jussie grinned.
“Yeah, whatever it is. Then we need to find that path next to that deserted house.” Dillon said.
After another five minutes, Dillon led them quickly across the street and down the road until he found the right path, and then quickly off the road. After witnessing what he thought of as the APD marathon, he was really nervous about them being out in the open. When they passed the ever-closed peach stand off to the left, the path hung a right following Mennis Rd. He felt a little safer here because one side of the road was a fenced in cattle ranch and woods on their side all the way to the gravel quarry. Behind it, they’d find the creek that he remembered flowed into the ranch and not out of it. He seriously considered not stopping at the creek but he knew everyone was getting tired and that the needed water, just in case anything went wrong. Fifteen minutes later, Dillon found the creek where they all sat, exhausted.
“I’ll get started on filling everyone’s bottled if you’ll try and call Pops, Jess.”
“Do you think he’s up this late?” Crystal asked. And Jessie nodded.
“Probably. He’s probably up in the cupola that he’s modified. He never was a morning person and he’d wake up at the sound of a gnat crossing the floor.” Jessie said and Dillon snickered.
“Yeah, nine times out of ten, he’d be pissed off about it, thinking someone had broken in, and was ready to shoot the dumb fool.” Dillon said.
“Seriously?” Crystal asked.
“Seriously. I skipped school once and came home while he was napping once. He greeted me, pistol in hand.” Jessie said.
“Sounds like he’s crazy.” Crystal said.
“No, more like security conscious. He got me that way once when we stayed there for a couple of months. Man, did I learn quick; announce yourself.” Dillon chuckled.
“Wonder what made him that way?” Crystal asked.
“Too many years in too many questionable places is what I think.” Dillon replied.
“Too many years in the military.” Jessie clarified, “Doing shit he still won’t talk about.”
“Oh.” Was all Crystal could think to reply. She trusted Jessie, though, so she knew she’d be safe.
Jessie leaned back against a tree and pulled the small handheld HAM out of her pack, extending the antenna. She found the power switch and powered it up.
“Thumper 215, number 9, are you up?” she said and let loose of the PTT switch and waited. Nothing. That didn’t sound right, so she tried again.
“Thumper215, number 9 with you, are you up?” she once again released the transmit button and waited. Nothing.
“Well, that shit ain’t good.” Dillon mumbled.
“Language.” Jessie ordered.
“Yeah, sorry, Spence.” He apologized to the kid, who said nothing.
“I’m worried.” Jessie said.
“I’m sure he’s fine. Tough old man like that can’t be killed. He’s gotta just get tired and die, for no other reason than to piss people off.” Dillon replied, putting the top on another bottle.
“Really? You went there? The hell is wrong with you?” Jessie hissed, angrily.
“Nothing. I just meant that he’s probably fine. You know for a fact what he’s lived through already. Gotten shot how many times? Plane crash? Heart attack? Infections? The guy won’t die except on his own terms, baby. I respect the shit outta that.” Dillon said.
“Language!” Jessie warned again, but she knew what he meant. Her dad was not one to give up to anything. Ever. And all his kids were the same way. She sighed, “He’s probably fine. Either the radio won’t make it over these two big hills or he’s asleep.” She rationalized.
“Either way, we ain’t banging on the door until we hear something from him. He’ll for real shoot first after this shit.” Dillon said.
“What he said.” Crystal agreed.
“Whatever. He’s not a monster.” Jessie said.
“No, I agree. The monsters are running the streets. I just don’t wanna be mistaken for one.” Dillon said. Jessie had to agree with that. He’d probably been awake since this whole thing started waiting to hear something from her mom. That would be like him. She figured he’ll wait the prescribed three days and then set out to go find her. With or without help from anyone. Knowing her dad, he’d probably prefer it on his own. Less people to slow him down.
She’d tried three more times, at fifteen-minute intervals and still no answer, so something was definitely wrong. She worriedly slipped her pack back on as they got ready to go. The sense of urgency made her pulse thump in her temples. If anything had happened to him, she’d personally shoot whoever did it in the head. That was a promise.
Rodney
Lamplighter Apts. #12
Cleveland, TN
Rodney looked at Annalise sleeping and smiled. Now this was more like it. Now he could have his way and feed from her fear at the same time. He sat back and sighed, things were working out now. He’d just let her sleep a bit longer, so that she was in a deep sleep before he attacked her. Rodney was a slime ball, he knew it, accepted it and was perfectly fine with it. This was a new world, he told himself, and he would ma
ke his own path and kill anyone that tried to stop him.
He went to the window and carefully peeked out. The riot, or whatever the hell it was that was going on, was still in full fury with no chance of letting up soon. That was perfect. He was trapped in the apartment with a beautiful woman, who didn’t want him to leave and probably wouldn’t ask him to even if he raped her. Not if, he reminded himself, when. It was going to happen.
He heard a noise from the back of the apartment and went to look out the kitchen window. Carefully and slowly moving the curtain aside, he spotted the cause of the noise. A teenage boy, obviously, a normal person, had kicked over a garbage can while running away from an older woman, who was chasing him. She appeared to be like the others and definitely old enough to be the guy’s mother. The kid hopped the short fence in the back, never missing a step, the mother more or less hit it with her chest and fell over it, leaving a dent in the galvanized steel frame. He unconsciously rubbed his chest from the imagined pain and watched, enthralled, as the woman made her way, unsteadily, to her feet and resumed the chase.
Even in his less than speedy mind, he knew what had happened; mom and son were locked up in the apartment. Mom had changed and the kid, seeing this, had decided safety was someplace with room to run, so he took his chances. The last Rodney could see was the top of the kid’s brunette head bobbing towards the woods with the top of the mom’s bottle blonde head a few feet behind him. Rodney. Despite being an asshole, silently cheered the kid on. Sometimes even underdogs needed a prayer, he thought.
A sound got his attention and he was hard placed to identify it. It almost sounded like a snore that was interrupted. He quickly went to go check on Annalise, only to find that she’d shifted positions in her sleep. He waited quietly until her breathing returned to the deep, low rhythmic breath of someone asleep. Soon, he told himself, very soon. He felt his manhood throb in response to his thought.
Shelly
Old Fort, TN
The heat of a Southern summer is nothing to joke about. Add to that the humidity and without air conditioning, you’ve got a recipe for hell on earth. Shelly felt the opposite. Even though her windows and doors were shut, she was absolutely freezing. Whatever this was that she had, was making life miserable. She awoke with a start, hearing the baby cry again, and stumbled into the kitchen to fix him a bottle. That done, she stumbled back to the nursery and sat about changing little Jake’s diaper. She had no idea how long she’d slept and to be honest with herself, she really didn’t care. Her main goal at this point was to take care of Jake, he was all that mattered to her.
Three Days From Home Page 15