“No. The... the... bad men.” Her fists clench and she turns away from me. She looks about five years old and scared. I want to give her a glass of water and leave the light on all night. When she turns back, she’s crying.
“Why were they like that, Delilah? Why did they eat people? Why did they feed me people?” She cries louder, with small, awful sounds. I gently touch her arm.
“Why couldn’t they be good? Why couldn’t they just be good and nice and take care of us?” Her voice is loud and ragged. She’s almost shouting, and the pleading in her eyes tears into my heart like dull scissors.
“Why are none of them right? Why are none of them okay?” She screams the words, tears pouring down her face. Sunshine crawls into her lap, whines softly and starts poking Cassie with a cold nose. Cassie grabs on to the dog and cries into her fur. I reach over and hug her as best as I can.
“It’ll be okay, Cassie. We’ll find some good ones.” I’m not sure if I’m telling the truth, and I don’t know if I want to find any more adults at this point. After tonight, I think they might all be screwed up. I don’t tell her any of that, though. I just let her cry, let her get it out, and hug her until she calms down.
We have to find something better soon, for both of our sakes.
#
In the morning, I let Cassie navigate to help get her mind off things. We take back roads and eat lunch in the car, stepping outside only for bathroom trips and a quick, anxious run for Sunshine. As I watch her, I keep seeing zombies pop up out of nowhere to grab my dog, but fortunately this is all in my head. I just don’t feel safe right now. Well, okay, not like I felt before.
A bit after lunch we top a small hill, and about fifty feet past that is a downed helicopter. It’s on one side and appears broken in the middle, like somebody took a toy version and tried to snap it in half, then just threw it down on the road when it wouldn’t cooperate. It’s burned in spots and looks heavier than news ’copters, so I’m pretty sure it’s military. I avoid looking in the cockpit.
The Jeep rolls to a stop and I just stare at the wreck for a while. No more military, no more police, just monsters roaming the world. No more adults.
I grip the wheel then force myself to relax my fingers. I guide us around the helicopter slowly so I’ll miss the damage from any debris. Cassie and Sunshine are quiet beside me.
We’re about five minutes past the helicopter when Cassie points upwards, out through the top of the windshield.
“What’s that?” she asks.
I stop the Jeep and peer up. At first I don’t see anything, but then I see something white, dipping and then soaring upwards in the sky.
“That’s not a bird.” I get out of the Jeep, bat in hand. I look up as the thing dives, watching as it slows down then circles closer to me.
I think it’s a friggin’ military drone.
Chapter 53
The white machine dips lower and does another circle near me, moves forward about fifty feet, and then does another lazy loop.
I think it wants me to follow it. Okay, that’s it, I’m bonkers.
I get back in the Jeep and start her up.
“What are you doing?”
“I think that’s a military drone, which means there is someone operating it.”
“Delilah, I’m not sure about this.” She looks a bit ill. I reach out with my hand and she grabs it.
“If it’s a drone, then they’re watching through video, and it will take them a while to come to us. We’ll be really careful this time. We’ll look for any signs that this person is off.”
“You promise me we’ll be okay?”
“I promise.” I squeeze her hand and drive the Jeep forward, trying not to think about the phenomenally stupid pledge I just made.
We drive for maybe another fifteen minutes, with me feeling like a complete idiot for driving twenty miles an hour while following a flying white machine. Yep, I’m stupid. This is going to take us right into a nest of zombies, I know it.
I drive up another hill, and the flier dips low and lands in front of a red Jeep about one hundred yards from us. Jeep: the vehicle of the future. Who knew?
The door opens slowly, and a guy gets out and just stands there. Maybe we’re not the only cautious ones now? Is that a good sign?
I squeeze Cassie’s hand one more time and let go.
“Leave Sunshine in the car.”
“But she could help us,” Cassie whines.
Sunshine pants at me, tongue lolling, and I just can’t do it. I can’t risk her. I can’t take the chance that he’ll hurt her while we run, not when I can prevent it. Both of us can get back to the Jeep faster.
“No, let’s keep her inside. Be sure to bring a weapon.”
“That’s not very friendly.”
“I’m done with friendly,” I state, and grab my bat. I get out, leaving the door open, and I walk a little less than halfway there then stop. I point the bat tip down, but I make sure to keep a firm grip. Cassie comes up behind me and grabs my other hand.
He leaves his car door open too and walks to us. I can’t see any weapons on his part, but I’m going to plan on him having some. I like how he’s walking toward us, nice, slow and cautious.
Then I can make him out clearly. Oh, dear God, he’s hot.
He’s maybe a couple of years older than me, and taller of course. He has dyed black hair – that matte-black kind from a bottle - that’s a bit spiky, a nice jaw, and these gorgeous green eyes that remind me of emeralds. He’s pale and skinny; just the way I like guys. He has a bit of a vulnerable, scrappy look to him. I bet he was never popular; instead, he was one of those guys on the fringe, just a bit rougher and tougher than everyone else.
He’s wearing black military boots, jeans, a black t-shirt, and one of those large, green military jackets. I bet he’s hiding the weapons under that jacket.
He stops near us and I can see a bit of stubble along his jaw line.
My pulse is racing. Cassie looks at me oddly and drops her hand.
“Hi,” I manage.
Please don’t let him be crazy.
Chapter 54
“Hi,” he replies. The tiniest hint of a smile touches his face.
“I’m Delilah, and this is Cassie.” I gesture with the bat and Cassie looks at me like I’ve dropped off the moon.
He inclines his head. “I’m Sam.”
“You all alone?” Cassie asks.
He looks at us for a moment, sizing us up, then nods. “Just me.”
“Where’d you get the drone?” I question.
The bit of a smile grows into a genuine one. “There’s a military base up the way.”
“A military base, huh?” I repeat, while Cassie avoids my eyes. “Are we near the Garden of the Gods?”
“Yeah, I think it’s about thirty minutes that way.”
I look point-blank at Cassie.
“I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere.” She shrugs.
“So, how long you two been traveling together?”
“A while.” My bold Cassie has grown cautious.
“Where’d you start out at?”
“Where did you?” Cassie counters.
The smile disappears and one of his eyebrows rises at her question. “I started out in Denver. It didn’t take me too long to get down here, but by the time I did all of the military were gone.”
“Why’d you come here?” I ask.
“I figured the base would have a lot of weapons and would be better fortified than a lot of places.”
“Then why didn’t the military stay?” Cassie inquires.
“To protect us,” he says softly. We fall quiet for a few moments then Sam breaks the silence. “Hey, would you girls like to have lunch? Maybe see the base?”
I know he doesn’t know what we’ve just been through, but being offered food again makes me a bit nervous. Cassie motions me over and I hold up one finger to Sam. “Hang on a sec.”
“If we don’t eat, are you okay with this? I think he’s
a nice guy,” I whisper.
She frowns. “I’m not sure, Delilah. What if he’s all weird?”
“I’m sure he’s weird. I don’t think he’s dangerous, though.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. And besides, there’s two of us and only one of him. I think we can beat him.”
“Yeah, you and me, right?” She smiles.
“Definitely.” I smile back then say to Sam, “We’ll follow you in the Jeep.”
“Okay,” he answers.
Ten minutes later, he pulls over onto some grass at the top of a hill. I get out of the Jeep, and this time I let Sunshine out, too. He seems nice enough that I think it’s safe to let her out. She jumps out of the car and shakes herself all over. Then I notice that Sam’s out of his car and he’s looking at Sunshine like I’ve seen some women look at babies – like an amazing blessing they never expected.
“May I?” he asks.
“Sure.” I shrug.
He slowly approaches Sunshine and then puts his hand out near her. She sniffs him then licks his fingers, and a big smile breaks over his face. He kneels in front of her and pets her. She bumps into him and he hugs her, burying his face in her fur.
Cassie and I share a smile, and she gives me a small nod. Sunshine had stayed far away from the adults last night, so seeing her approval of Sam makes us both feel better.
He stands up and starts massaging Sunshine’s back. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen a dog, much less been able to pet one. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Sunshine’s a sweetie.” I pet her head.
“Sunshine, huh? Such a pretty name for such a good dog,” he says, but he’s talking to the dog, not me.
“Whatchya doin'?” Cassie asks.
“I’m massaging her back, following the spine. Dogs’ backs can hurt just like ours, so a massage feels good to them, too.”
“Oh, cool,” she says, and joins in. Sam shows her how to rub Sunshine’s back and steps away.
“I’ll show you the base.”
I follow him to the top of the hill and we look out across a valley. It doesn’t look like a base. At the south end there’s a cluster of buildings, then a grassy area, then more buildings. The whole section is surrounded by parking lots. The north end looks like former soccer and baseball fields, and is covered with military vehicles, including tanks and Humvee. I can’t see that well, but I think the whole area’s fenced in, because there’s a bit of a gap and then the entire complex is ringed by zombies.
“Where’s the base, exactly?” I ask.
“It’s down there. This whole area was originally an Air Force Academy before the virus, and once things started to hit the fan they set up the fence and started using it as an outpost. The actual base part is there –” he points - “under the fields. I’m not sure how long ago it was built, but there’s a whole area underground that was set up to be headquarters in case of an emergency.”
“Oh my God. Are you saying there are still some of our military left?” Then I remember he'd already said there weren't any more.
“No,” he says quietly. “Or at least not here. I’m not sure what happened, but it doesn’t even look like it was used.”
My hope didn’t last long, but I still feel an ache in my chest. I examine the whole area and another question hits me.
“I can’t help but notice there’s a huge number of zombies down there. How do you plan on getting back in? Then again, how did you get out in the first place?”
Sam grins. “There’s an entrance hidden in the hills behind us. The zombies haven’t even come close to finding it.”
“That’s why you have the drone, isn’t it? To check and see where you can go?”
“Exactly.” He smiles. “It also helps me see where they are in the larger area, and keep a look out for regular people.”
“Cool.”
“I can show you, if you’d like.”
“That’d be great,” I agree, and then frown. “Why are you being so nice?”
“Really?” he asks. I nod to show him I’m serious. He shoves his hands in his jeans, checking to make sure Cassie isn’t listening. “I haven’t been around people in a while. My friend –” he pauses – “didn’t make it. We had the whole thing planned, and he still didn’t make it.”
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly.
He nods, looking at the ground. “I’d just like to be around people again.”
“Even a couple of girls, huh?” I tease.
A gentle smile spreads across his face. “Yeah.”
It's only after I'm back in the Jeep that I think about something. How does a kid just a couple of years older than me know about a secret military installation?
Chapter 55
We reach the entrance to the tunnel after a few twists and turns down a dirt road that’s really more of a path. Sam jumps out, runs to the side of the forest then returns in a minute. A part of the rock face in front us starts moving upwards at the same pace as a garage door. We drive through, and then the daylight’s cut off as the gate rolls back down.
I hit the lights. The sides of the tunnel are smooth, brown earth, and there are wooden supports every few feet. It looks very much like the mining tunnels I’ve seen in movies, although this one is very wide; probably so they can get Hummers and other vehicles inside.
After maybe ten feet, we hit the top of a hill and the tunnel goes down. It seems to me that Sam floors it, because his Jeep just disappears. I stay at my nice, slow speed even though Cassie frowns at me. It’s all fun and games until you take a turn doing ninety and slam into the side of the mountain because you didn’t know it was there. Give me the free open highway and then I’ll speed.
Twenty minutes later, we hit the bottom of the tunnel and an open steel garage door. I barely drive the Jeep past the opening before the door starts to come down again. Sam waits until it completely closes, and then proceeds at a safer speed. We drive through what is basically the same kind of concrete parking area a mall has then park. Everyone gets out of the vehicles and the doors slam behind us, echoing through the lot.
“How do we get out?” Cassie asks immediately.
Sam gets a curious look on his face.
“We just went through a rough patch. I’m sure you’re okay.” I raise my hands up in a peace gesture. “But I think we’d both feel better if we know how to get out anytime we’d like.”
Sam looks at us for a moment, I think trying to figure out whether to be offended or not, and then nods. “Okay.”
We follow him over to a panel on the wall.
“There’s one of these panels right next to the overhead door that we came through. To open that door, punch this white button here at the top, then numbers 4, 5 and 6.” He mimics the buttons. “To close it, punch the beige button in the middle, followed by 6, 5 and then 4. Got it?”
We both solemnly nod.
“Thank you,” I say.
“You’re welcome,” he replies. Then he leads us to the door to get inside. “There’s a camera directly in front of this door and in both corners. From inside, you can pretty much see anyone trying to get in.
“I’ll show you how to look at those cameras later on. Always check all angles before letting anyone in, okay? Then, if you’re out here, punch in 1-8-9-9.” He enters the number and there’s a small click. Sam pushes the door open and then smiles over his shoulder. “Come on in.”
We walk down a hallway painted in tan tones with tan carpet. I’ve been walking for maybe a minute when it hits me.
“You have electricity.” You would have thought I would have put that together when he was punching neat buttons to let us inside, but what the hey.
“Yeah.” He grins at me over his shoulder. “There’s an entire field of generators.”
“Gas-powered?” I ask, wondering how much gas that would take.
“No. They’re solar-powered from panels on the surrounding buildings.”
“Wow,” I gasp, impressed.
Eventually, the tan carpet and dull hallway end in a circular room that’s paved in dark-colored slate tile and has a slate round desk which looks like it should have a receptionist behind it. Sam skirts around the desk and goes to a gray door with another keypad next to it.
“1-7-7-6.” He punches the numbers.
“That’s corny.” Cassie rolls her eyes. He just grins as if so pleased by his own joke that he doesn’t care what she thinks.
“Ladies.” He holds the door open for us with a flourish. We walk inside with Sunshine’s nails clicking on the slate floor, and then he lets the door close behind us with a solid, heavy sound.
This room resembles a family room. There’s plush blue carpeting, a leather couch and a couple of gray easy chairs. In front of the sofa are a big-screen TV, an entertainment center, and a PlayStation 3 console, along with a bag of chips and a controller on the floor. The white walls are covered in posters and pictures.
“Some of this was already here, but I brought in the rest.”
“Cool,” I say. We stand there for a moment, all of us looking at each other, not sure what to do.
“Do you have anything cold to drink?” Cassie asks.
“Sure.” Sam heads to the other side of the dining table to a small nook I hadn’t noticed when we came in. I follow him over, and it has a small cupboard and one of those really small white refrigerators.
“Water, Coke, or apple juice?”
“Coke!” Cassie exclaims.
He leans into the fridge, one hand on the door, and I can’t help but notice that hand seems nice, and strong.
“How about you?” he asks me.
“Oh… Coke, please.” I hope he didn’t realize I was staring. I take the soda and notice he’s grabbed one for himself, as well.
“Thanks.” Cassie pops hers open and takes a drink, and now we’re all back to staring at each other.
On Our Own Page 13