“I'm sorry to be talking about this now,” I said. “You should be resting.”
“No, we need to talk through this,” she said.
I could see that she looked weaker and was getting paler. I needed to do something to calm her down.
“I've been around the block a few times,” Jennifer said. “You know that right?”
“Yes,” I said.
“I've dated many men, have married, and have divorced,” she told me. “As far as I know, you have never been in a relationship. I know that in some ways, you deserve someone else. If you want to date Candy for a little while before you make up your mind about me, I won't like it, and it will hurt me. But I’ll still love you.”
I knew what I had to say. It would be a half truth, but I needed to calm her down.
“If you’ll hold on until we get you the medical help you need, I’ll marry you,” I told her. “As soon as we get you better, I’ll have someone hold the ceremony.”
“Do you mean it?” she asked.
“Yes, I mean it,” I said.
“I love the idea of being married to you,” I said.
“Thank you,” she said.
I sat next to her and held her hand for several minutes. Finally, Candy came back into the room.
“I've talked to Meredith,” she said. “There is a church bus in the parking lot. We’re going to use it to get you to the relocation center, Jennifer.”
“Thank you,” Jennifer said.
Candy could see that Jennifer had been crying.
“I need to go for a bit,” I said. “I'm going to make sure everyone is getting ready.”
“Let me talk with you for a moment,” Candy said.
We left the room, and Candy put her finger in my face.
“What the heck did you say to her!?” she asked.
“She wanted to talk, and things got emotional,” I said.
“Don't you realize that getting her upset could kill her?” she said to me in a hushed tone.
“I just promised I would marry her, if she hangs on,” I said.
“Did you mean it?” she asked.
“I don't know. One part of me wants to marry her very badly, but another part me doesn't know if I should or not,” I said.
“Well, you better not tell her that,” she said. “If you go back on your promise, before she’s better, it will probably kill her.”
“I had to do something to calm her down,” I said.
“You did the right thing. But until she’s fully recovered, you need to keep reassuring her that you two are about to get married,” Candy said.
She then stepped back into the room to check on Jennifer.
I walked down the hall to the room that I had awakened in. Searching through it, I found my belt and weapons in a bag in a corner.
With all the weapons at my disposal, I searched the church until I found Meredith and told her to round everyone up for a meeting in the office. We needed to know how many people were coming with us, what vehicles we would be using, and what route we would be taking to Dublin.
Walking down one of the halls, I saw a room with a handwritten sign on the door: Clothing Closet and Food Pantry. I looked both ways down the hall to make sure no one was watching, and slipped into the room. I turned on the light, and saw boxes full of clothing. I dug through them and found a couple of hooded jackets for Jennifer and Candy. One was solid pink, and the other had floral patterns.
With the jackets in my arms, I hurried to the room where Jennifer was staying. I saw that Candy was taking her blood pressure.
“I'm just dropping these off,” I said. “I can't let my wife-to-be get pneumonia.”
Jennifer looked up at me and smiled. “Thank you, Hank.”
She looked even paler than before.
I exited the room just as Meredith, Linwood, Robert, Sam, and Roy approached. From the opposite direction came Reverend Sikes and Ms. Teresa, his sister.
This could get very awkward.
“We would like to pray for Jennifer,” Reverend Sikes said.
“She’s a bit weak right now, and I don't think it would be a good time,” I said.
“The prayer of faith can heal the sick,” Ms. Teresa said. “Please let us pray for her. We feel responsible for her. You came to our church, helped us in so many ways, and we repaid you by almost killing your friend.”
“We want to pray for her too,” Meredith said.
“Okay, let’s all go in and pray for her,” I said.
We all stood in the room as everyone took turns praying for Jennifer. Even though everyone in the group was putting on a show for Reverend Sikes, the prayers sounded sincere. Jennifer seemed moved by the prayers, and began to cry.
I then heard Candy pray, and her words shook me.
“I don't know anyone in this room very well, and I don't know if you’re even listening, God. But I know that Hank here saved my life. If it were not for him, I would’ve died at the nuclear plant. He loves Jennifer with all his heart, and the least I can do is pray for you to heal her. I don't think I've prayed to you since I was in third grade, but I hope you’ll hear this prayer. I'm scared God, and I don't know what to do, or who to trust. But I feel like I can trust Hank, so I'm praying for you to heal the woman he loves. I know he feels hurt by her, and he has every right to be. But I hope you’ll work everything out for the two of them. I just pray God that you also take care of me, and take care of my mother and sister if they’re still alive.”
After everyone was finished praying, Ms. Teresa spoke.
“I still feel the Holy Ghost in you, Hank,” she said. “Keep praying for Jennifer, and have faith God will heal her.”
Ms. Teresa and the Reverend then left the room.
“Are you alright, Jennifer?” I asked.
“I'm okay,” she said.
“What is our status?” I asked.
“About twenty people will be coming with us,” Meredith said.
“Do we have transportation for Jennifer?” I asked.
“Yes,” Meredith said. “The vehicle is fueled up and ready.”
We decided that we would use the same route to the relocation center as we had taken before. The roads would be fairly clear and due to the radiation there would be few freaks roaming around – at least until we got close to the relocation center.
“What we need is a distraction,” Candy said. “We need something to distract the people here from realizing we’re leaving.”
“We should wait until the bandits attack again,” Sam said. “While the fighting is going on we can get out of here.”
“That might work,” Kay said. “But that means we have to wait until they attack again.”
“We can only wait a short while,” I said.
“What is the latest on the radiation levels?” I asked.
“They have been declining,” Meredith said. “I think the wind has changed directions and it’s blowing the radioactivity towards the coast.”
“Let’s be ready for when they attack. If there is any way possible, let’s try to get some of our belongings on the bus ahead of time. We don't need to be having to carry loads of stuff when we’re trying to get to the vehicles,” I said.
“I have several boxes of food and supplies in the social hall. Is there a way to sneak out of the church and get them on the bus?” I asked.
“We'll handle that,” Meredith said. “You just stay here and rest with Jennifer.”
Everyone except Candy and Jennifer left the room.
“I'm tired,” Jennifer said.
“Why don't you hold her for a little while?” Candy asked me.
“Let’s get her jacket on first. You need to put yours on too,” I said.
I helped Jennifer put on her jacket, and I then told Candy to put on hers.
Candy pushed the bed to the other side of the room, took off the mattress, and put it on the floor. We then helped Jennifer sit on the mattress. I leaned against the wall, and let Jennifer's head rest on my s
houlder as I wrapped my arm around her.
“Here is a pillow,” Candy said, putting it behind my head.
Jennifer almost instantly fell asleep.
“Let me check her blood pressure,” Candy said.
She wrapped the inflatable strap around Jennifer's upper arm, pumped it up, and started to take a measurement.
“Her blood pressure is still low,” Candy said. “I don't like this.”
“I need to listen to her heart,” she said.
A moment later, she pressed the bell of the stethoscope to Jennifer's chest and started to listen to her heartbeat.
“Her heartbeat sounds more regular than it did before,” she said.
“Why don't you try to get some sleep too,” Candy said.
“I need to be awake if the bandits return and we need to get out of here in a hurry,” I said.
“Don't worry about that. If they return we’ll hear them,” she said.
“Alright,” I said.
I looked at Jennifer and silently prayed to God to allow us to get her to the relocation center in time. I hadn’t prayed so much in years, but there had never been a time in my life when I needed God's help so badly.
I closed my eyes and a few minutes later fell asleep. Several minutes later, I awakened.
“You sure were not asleep long,” Candy said.
Once again, she was taking Jennifer's pulse. It touched me how she was being so dedicated.
“Thank you for your prayer earlier,” I said.
“You’re welcome,” she responded.
“I want you to know that you can trust Jennifer and me. We’re never going to abandon you,” I said.
“That's right,” Jennifer said, opening her eyes. “You’re part of our family.”
“What part of the family do you want me to be?” Candy asked. “Maybe the crazy, redheaded sister-in-law?”
Jennifer laughed, but then began to cough.
Candy brought Jennifer a bottle of water. She took a few sips and then handed it to me.
“You must be thirsty,” she said.
“I'm alright,” I said.
“No, drink,” she said.
“Okay,” I said, taking the bottle.
As I was sipping from the bottle we heard a gunshot. The bandits must be back.
“You two stay here,” I said. “Pack all the medical stuff you can carry.”
“My bag’s already packed,” Candy said.
I realized that Candy probably wouldn’t be able to get Jennifer into the wheelchair by herself, so I quickly scooped her up and set her in the chair. She felt very light.
“I have to go,” I said. “I'll be back.”
I ran into the hallway and saw Meredith coming towards me.
“The bandits are here,” she said. “They have friends with them this time.”
“Is everyone ready?” I asked.
“Yes,” she responded.
“Are all the supplies from my van in the bus?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“Let’s move, then!”
We ran towards a window that allowed us a view of the gunfight outside.
A number of people in vehicles, including a white van, were driving around the church, firing into windows. I could hear broken glass and the screams of church members.
I then heard automatic gun fire as bullets started hitting the walls of the church.
“We have to get out of here, fast,” I said.
Chapter 4
“Go and tell everyone to get into their vehicles,” I told Meredith. “I'm going to go get Jennifer and Candy. The bus is out back. We’re using the exit in the social hall.”
I realized I had forgotten about the Chihuahua.
“Do we have time to get my dog?” I asked.
“He’s already on the bus,” Meredith said.
I ran back into Jennifer's room, and I saw that Candy had her ready for transport.
“We’re going now,” I said.
I took over and pushed the wheelchair to the back exit. The social hall was almost empty, and no one would see us leave. Most of the families were in the Sunday School rooms taking cover, and most of the patrols were outside.
Meredith was waiting for us.
“You three get to the bus, and I’ll cover you.”
I pulled out my pistol and noticed that the boxes of supplies from my van were no longer in the social hall. Looking outside of the door, I could see that the gate to the perimeter fence was still missing. It hadn’t been repaired since I rammed it.
“The coast is clear, go!” Meredith shouted.
“You push her to the bus as fast as you can. I’ll be right behind you,” I said.
As we rushed through the back yard of the church, I could see the chaos taking place all around us. Patrols were firing at the vehicles circling the front of the church, and the bandits were shooting back. It was now dark outside, but the bright lights of the vehicles were illuminating the environment.
“Hurry,” I said, as we rushed towards the bus. I saw that Linwood's monster truck was going to take the lead, a few vehicles were behind it, and the bus would be at the end. It was logical, because the bus would be the slowest vehicle.
Several people were ahead of us, already at the bus, climbing aboard with their belongings in their arms.
I then saw a vehicle approach us. It was a white van, much like my own.
A fat faced woman then stuck her face out of the passenger side window pointing a weapon at us
“Hey, I know you --you’re that low life flame thrower!” she said. “You're gonna pay.”
Before she could fire, Meredith let loose a volley of bullets which continued until both the woman with the gun and the man driving the van were both motionless.
“Keep moving,” Meredith urged.
We continued moving towards the bus, but the other bandits must have heard us. Vehicles started to close in on us from all directions.
“Get Jennifer on the bus,” I yelled to Meredith. “I'll buy us some time.”
I ran up to the van and opened the driver’s side door. The driver's body fell to the ground. I hopped in, put the vehicle in drive, and accelerated towards one of the vehicles that were headed towards the convoy. Quickly, I put the vehicle in neutral and jumped out the door.
The van collided into the truck as I rolled on the ground.
Luckily, the other vehicles did like I had hoped and stopped to investigate. I stayed low to the ground as patrols started to fire at the group of vehicles. I carefully aimed at the tire of a blue SUV, and shot it with my pistol. I could hear the hiss of the tire deflating. I then did the same to another vehicle being driven by the bandits.
Looking back, I could see that the convoy was now leaving. I jumped to my feet and ran as fast as I could towards the bus.
“Get in, Hank!” shouted Candy, standing by the open door. I managed to catch up to the vehicle, grab hold of Candy’s extended hand and climb.in.
The door shut behind me, and I could see that Meredith was driving. A couple dozen people were on the bus. Near the back, I could see Jennifer sitting with Kay.
Candy and I hurried towards the back of the bus and looked out the rear window. A single vehicle was following us.
“Everyone stay down!” I ordered.
I pulled a lever and the emergency exit opened. I looked at the vehicle, and through the blinding light of its headlights I saw a hand reach out of the car window with a gun. I ducked to the side and a split second later bullets started flying through the bus.
As soon as the person in the car stopped firing, I pointed my pistol at the car and fired into its windshield. The glass shattered, but the car sped up, almost hitting the back of the bus. I fired again and this time the vehicle swerved off the road and careened into the ditch.
I spent the rest of the trip to the trip trying to comfort Jennifer. She was weak, and Candy said her blood pressure was still low. I wrapped her up in every blanket and piece of cl
oth I could find in the bus, and then I sat beside her. I took her hand and told her how much I loved her, and urged her to hold on.
Other than dealing with Jennifer's injury, the trip to the relocation center was uneventful. It was only the last couple of miles that we saw any freaks roaming around; however, they were barely moving and posed no threat to us.
When we arrived at the relocation center it was clear to see the site had been abandoned. However, as I approached the fence, I saw Ms. Suzy and a few others standing in the cold night air.
“Ms. Suzy! It's great to see you,” I said.
“We decided to stay, and they let us,” she said.
“Can you let us in?” I said. “Jennifer's hurt bad, and we need to use your medical facility.”
“Sure,” she said. “Drive over to the main entrance.”
Meredith pulled the bus up to the door of the processing building and I got out; Ms. Suzy opened the door.
“Come on in,” she said. “I have sent someone to alert the doctor that you’re coming.”
“There’s a doctor here?” I asked, surprised that any professional staff was left here.
“Yes, she was the only member of the staff that decided to stay. She had a few very ill patients she couldn’t leave,” she said.
I went back inside the bus where Meredith and I helped get Jennifer in her wheelchair. We lifted her down onto the sidewalk and in a few moments, I was pushing her inside the relocation center.
Ms. Suzy led the way through the hallways to the clinic. When we entered we found a silver-haired woman in her sixties sorting through bottles of medicine in a cabinet.
“Dr. Lopez, this young lady needs immediate attention!” said Ms. Suzy.
The doctor came right over and knelt beside Jennifer. “What has happened?”
“She’s been shot and has internal bleeding,” I said.
Candy explained she was a trained medic and gave Dr. Lopez a complete report of Jennifer's condition.
“We’ll have to go in,” said Dr. Lopez “But she needs blood. Do you know her blood type?”
“I know I'm type O. My mother told me years ago,” said Jennifer, weakly.
“That means I can give blood to her,” I said. “I’m a universal donor. Go ahead and take my blood.”
Don't Dare Call Them Zombies : Books 1-4 Page 28