Zomb-Pocalypse 4

by Megan Berry

  “No,” my dad tells her tersely, not stopping to explain as he motions for Silas to lay Megan down on the couch. I almost yell out not to use the couch, but I catch myself and bite my lip. Sunny was bitten, Megan is shot—one has nothing to do with the other—and I would sound like a fool to suggest something as crazy as the couch is cursed.

  “What happened?” Mom demands again, tugging on my shoulder to get my attention.

  “She was shot,” I blurt out, and she sags for a minute. I’m not sure if it’s from more fear, or less fear that it wasn’t a bite.

  “Are you hurt?” she asks me, and I shake my head. She plants a small kiss on my cheek and pats me on my arm gently as she squeezes past to attend to Megan.

  “Jack stitched her up as good as he could out on the road,” Dad explains as Silas carefully removes Jack’s coat and takes a quick look at the small, puckered wound on Megan’s shoulder.

  “Did the bullet go all the way through?” Regg demands, moving forward to take a look as well, and there is no hint of the jovial guy he usually is. He’s all business, and his face is creased with worry.

  “No, but Jack got it out,” Dad explains, and Silas and Regg shoot each other a relieved look.

  “Well, it looks about as good as can be expected,” Regg decides after a moment, and I let out a small sigh of relief.

  “Where is Jack?” his sister asks, her face a mask of terror as she realizes in all the excitement that her brother did not walk through the door with us.

  “He should be just pulling up,” Dad reassures her, and she does a terrible job of hiding a sob of relief.

  “Thank you,” she murmurs to the room at large before heading for the door. When she opens it, I can hear the rumble of the diesel engine and I breathe a little sigh of relief myself. Ryan and Jack made it.

  “Do you have something to give her?” Regg asks Silas. After only a moment’s hesitation, Silas nods and pulls his pack off his back and starts rifling through his supply.

  “Here’s an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and an oxy,” Silas lists off as he hands Regg a trio of pills.

  “Thanks, man,” Regg says, moving towards Megan. Abby presses a bottle of water into his hand, and he gives her a grateful nod. Regg bends down to pop the pills in Megan’s mouth, but she stubbornly turns her head away.

  “What’s the matter?” Regg asks her softly, and she has to clear her throat several times before anything becomes audible.

  “No oxy,” she whispers, and Regg sends her a small smile.

  “It’s okay, Meg. It will help with the pain,” he tells her, but Megan shakes her head.

  “I can’t,” she insists, tears running down her cheeks from the effort to speak. “No narcotics…I’m in recovery,” she murmurs, and it finally dawns on all of us.

  I stare across the room at Abby in shock, wondering if she knew that Megan used to be a drug addict, but she shakes her head. Regg clears his throat uncomfortably and hands Silas back the small, round pink pill like it suddenly contains poison.

  “I’ve also got some ibuprofen,” Silas offers, probably taking the news of her drug addiction the best out of all of us. Megan nods gratefully, and Regg helps her swallow the pills, carefully holding the bottle of water to her lips until she nods her head that she’s done.

  Jack walks in, his shoulders covered in snow, and Ryan is right on his heels. I watch Silas’s face darken in anger, but he doesn’t say anything. “How’s the patient?” Jack asks, coming forward, and Megan gives him a weak attempt at a smile.

  “She seems like she’s doing okay,” Regg answers in Megan’s stead.

  “She lost a lot of blood,” Jack tells him, and Regg nods. He was a military man, so he must be familiar with this sort of wound.

  “She’ll re-coop,” he tells us all firmly, and I really hope that he’s right. “We’ll just keep an eye out for infection, lots of rest, and fluids…” Regg murmurs as he moves away. My mom steps in with a pile of clean blankets and covers Megan up.

  Regg motions everyone away so she can get some rest. Then he pins my dad with a hard stare. “What the hell happened out there, Hal?” he demands.

  My dad stares down at his hands for a moment before lifting his face and looking Regg right in the eye.

  “We went back to that Walmart…I still had the key and the warehouse was untouched. All the zombs were frozen, so we…I…thought it would be more productive than that little grocer we’d been planning to hit,” my dad stops talking and stares at Regg like he’s waiting for him to drop the hammer.

  “Continue,” Regg surprises us all by saying calmly.

  “We loaded up that tractor trailer out front and were headed back when two yahoos in a truck started taking shots at us,” Dad pauses and looks furtively over at my mom, who is still glued to Megan’s side.

  “We dealt with them, and the snow should cover up our tracks… I think we got lucky,” he finishes, and Regg nods.

  “Very good then… I assume there is nothing in the truck that can’t wait until tomorrow?” he asks, which is kind of funny because everything was already frozen in the warehouse when we got there. Another night isn’t going to do it any harm. We all shake our heads, and Regg nods. “Then let’s wait for some daylight to get it unloaded.”

  He nods again, dismissing us, and we all sort of drift away. Jack excuses himself and heads back to his own cabin with his sister. Ryan and my dad start pulling out the mattresses while my mom starts opening cans to make us something to eat. The room is practically black, with the only light coming from the massive fire pit in the middle of the living room. It’s enough for what we need it for, and most nights we don’t waste batteries or oil brightening the place up. Tonight is no exception.

  Silas walks up to me and pulls me by my elbow towards the kitchen. It’s freezing cold, and I’m not wearing my jacket anymore. So I stand there shivering in front of him in the complete dark until he snaps on a flashlight, illuminating his scowling face.

  “Were you hurt?” he demands, and I’m taken aback by the caring question coming from such an angry face. I really thought I was in for a lecture…

  “No,” I promise him, reaching out to touch his hand. “I’m okay.”

  Far from being reassured, Silas pulls his hand out of my grip and his face goes a shade darker.

  “Thank God—but do you have any idea what could’ve happened to you today?” he asks, his agitation clear with each angry tap of his foot.

  His attitude pricks at my temper, more than anything he could have said, and I cross my arms in annoyance. “I’m fine, okay,” I tell him again and go to brush past him, back into the living room where it isn’t a meat locker. I’m not going to stay in here and freeze my ass off just to get a lecture. His hand reaches out and snags my elbow, pulling me to a stop.

  “Look—” he says, gentling his touch when I try and yank my arm away. “I was worried about you. You left without even letting me know where you were going.”

  His words are so ridiculous that I can’t help it, I let out an incredulous laugh. Silas looks at me wearily, well aware that my harsh bark of laughter was not a result of good humor. “Are you serious?” I demand, and he shrugs in confusion. “You’ve been ignoring me for days. Disappearing into the woods alone—I never know where you are or what you’re doing, and you have the nerve to lecture me?”

  “Sunny…” Silas starts to say, but I hold up my hand. I already know what he’s going to say…or at least the general idea of whatever macho line he’s about to try and feed me.

  “She’s dead,” I say baldly, shocking myself just as much as Silas. I stop for a minute and realize that this is the first time in a week that I’ve been able to say her name without completely breaking down. “I loved her too, we all did. You weren’t the only one that lost her.” I tear up a bit now and my voice cracks—I’d been so close.

  “Jane…” Silas tries to interrupt, looking horrified at my tears.

  “I needed you, and you weren’t
there,” I accuse, and Silas doesn’t make excuses this time. He steps forward and pulls me into his arms. His body heat warms me up a little.

  “I’m sorry,” he says after a minute of nothing. “I’m so sorry.” I feel his body shake, and I finally hug him back as fiercely as I can.

  “I’m sorry too,” I tell him, surprising myself. The anger is melting away from me more and more every second Silas holds me in his arms. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but we are both hurting and we’ve both been through hell lately—I guess we are allowed a little craziness.

  “Do you still want to be with me?” I ask, instantly regretting letting those weak words past my lips. Silas never even asked me to be his girlfriend. I wish I could take them back, but they’re out there now.

  “Of course I do, Jane,” Silas doesn’t even hesitate, and I can finally release the breath I’ve been holding. “I care about you, Blondie,” he says, pulling back and touching my cheek. “I’m just terrified I’m going to lose you too,” he admits, and I’m overwhelmed with emotion.

  “How are your hands so warm?” I demand, feeling way too awkward and poorly trying to change the subject. I’m also truly a little jealous at how warm his hands are. Mine are turning into blocks of ice.

  Silas looks at me funny and gives me a lopsided little grin, like he knows exactly what I’m trying to do. Then he leans down and presses his lips to mine. A tingle runs through the entire length of my body, and I move closer to make up what little distance there is between us as Silas deepens the kiss...

  “Knock, knock,” Mom calls out in a sing-song voice, and I hastily take a step back. Silas seems reluctant to let me go, but when the door starts to open, he finally does. By the time my mom walks in, we are both standing a respectable distance from each other, trying to look casual.

  “You two make up?” my mom asks baldly, and I actually blush.

  “Mom!” I groan, making both her and Silas laugh in unison.

  Mom hands Silas a lump of frozen rabbit meat off the sink and asks him to take it to the pot that she has boiling over the fire. Then she gives me a hug when he leaves and hands me a small bag of flour.

  “Your father will be glad to hear it,” she whispers conspiratorially. “He’s been worse than you girls with his gossiping and speculating about what’s been going on with you two,” she tells me, making me blink in surprise.

  I stare down at the flour in my arms. “It’s been hard…since Sunny,” I finally admit, and Mom gives me another hug.

  “I know honey. It’s been hard for everyone, but especially for you younger kids.” Mom stops to wipe at the corner of her eye, all casual like it’s nothing but a speck of dust. “Let’s just get dinner on the table,” she says, changing the subject away from Sunny. “I want to get to bed early. I’m excited to unload that trailer tomorrow and see what kind of goodies you guys brought back.”

  I smile. “There’s a lot of stuff,” I promise her.

  “Jane–” she calls out tentatively when I turn towards the door, stopping me in my tracks. I turn back and she has a weird look on her face.

  “I just want you to be careful,” she tells me, and I nod.

  “I know, Mom,” I tell her with a sigh. I always try and be careful, but it never stops her from reminding me.

  “No, honey…I mean with Silas,” she says, biting her lip.

  “Mom—” I start to say, but she interrupts me.

  “He’s a nice boy, Jane. I like him, I really do, but… you need to be careful and make smart choices.” The enormity of what she’s saying finally sinks in and I blush.

  “Mom!”

  “Teenage pregnancy has never been ideal, but especially now.” My cheeks flare an even darker shade of red. Mom nods to the bag of flour in my arms. “Just promise me that anytime you might be thinking of doing something, that you’ll imagine trying to carry that bag of flour around with you. How you would keep it safe with all the zombies out there.”

  I stare at her blankly and she sighs. “But it won’t be a bag of flour, Jane. I’m talking about a baby,” she says, and I turn my back on her.

  “Okay. I got it,” I mumble as I toss the flour on the counter and grope blindly for the door, trying to get away from this conversation.

  “Jane,” my mom’s voice forces me to turn back once again.

  “Please, no more,” I beg her, and she actually laughs at me.

  She points to the flour that I’ve abandoned on the countertop. “I really do need that for supper,” she tells me. I scoop it up and practically run from the room.

  Silas is still in the cabin. That’s the first thing I notice when I burst out of the room, and he shoots me a smile, making me blush even deeper. I feel so conspicuous holding this damn bag of flour now, thanks to my mother.

  Mom follows me out and calmly asks me to set it over there, like she wasn’t just traumatizing me in the next room. I peel my eyes off Silas, who’s actually being social, joking around with Regg and my dad. I meet Abby’s eye across the room, and she points hopefully to the Monopoly box sitting on the table. I can’t help but grin; she loves that stupid game so much. “You’re on after supper,” I tell her. “And Silas is playing too.”

  Chapter Five

  “Hey.” I look up from packing a load of logs into the newly built woodshed and find Silas leaning over my shoulder. He moves in and plants a kiss on my cheek. I can’t help but smile even though I’m kind of sweaty and gross. It’s not like Silas to be so affectionate, but I have to admit, I like it. “Want some help?” he asks, and my heart melts a little more.

  “Always,” I tell him earnestly. It’s been four days since Megan was shot, and Abby and I have definitely missed her help with the wood chopping. Production is at an all-time low.

  Silas walks back to the truck with me and grabs a huge armload of wood, at least twice the size of the ones I’ve been carrying. He carries it without even breaking a sweat, and I can’t help but feel a small nudge of jealousy. I grab my usual amount and trudge after him, ignoring Abby as she waggles her eyebrows at me on her way back to the truck for her own load of wood.

  “We need a conveyer belt,” I huff as we finally reach the bottom of the pile, and Abby nods her head enthusiastically, making Silas roll his eyes at both of us.

  “I wanted to talk to you,” Silas says, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the side.

  “Is it about a conveyer belt?” Abby asks hopefully, and I can’t help but burst out laughing.

  “Not gonna happen,” Silas tells her without an ounce of sympathy.

  Not for the first time, I am so thankful for the people that made it here with me. I might be trapped in the middle of nowhere, and there might be zombies…frozen zombies for now…but at least I still have my best friends, my boyfriend, and my family.

  “I’ll meet you in the house,” Abby calls back, already making her way to the front of the cabin. I shoot her a grateful smile and turn towards Silas. “What did you want to talk about?” I ask as I move forward to step into his arms. He reaches out to wrap his arms around me, but the look on his face has the smile melting off my face. I stop just out of his reach and cross my arms across my chest.

  “What’s going on?” I demand, and he holds his hands up in mock surrender.

  “Take it easy, Blondie. Nothing is wrong,” he tells me, but for some reason I don’t believe him.

  “Tell me then. Let me decide for myself,” I persist, and he looks momentarily uncomfortable.

  “Yesterday we talked about…communicating better,” Silas says, nearly choking on the word ‘communicating’—he’s such a guy.

  “Yes,” I affirm, nodding my head just in case this is a question and not just a general statement.

  “This isn’t a big deal at all, but I’m going up the mountain to look for bigger game, and I’ll be gone a few days. I just wanted to let you know so you wouldn’t be worried.”

  I stare at him blankly for a minute, not sure if he is joking or not, but
of course this is Silas, so he isn’t.

  “Who are you going with?” I demand, and he shrugs like the answer should be obvious.

  “Myself.”

  “No.

  He’s already shaking his head. “I know it isn’t ideal, but everyone else is busy. It’s my job to feed us and that’s what I’m going to do.”

  “But…” I start to say, and Silas’s face darkens.

  “I knew you’d act like this,” he accuses, and I shut my mouth with a snap.

  What the hell did he just say?

  “That’s why I didn’t want to tell you. You’re going to make a big deal about it, and I’m going to go, and I will be fine.” He sees me about to speak and beats me to it again. “I’m tired, Blondie,” he tells me before turning his back on me and taking off.

  I have to resist the urge to throw a snowball at his retreating back, or more satisfyingly—a rock—preferably a large one. I watch him disappear around the front of the house and into the woods before heading for the truck. I turn the key and start it up so I can pull it back around the front of the cabin and park it in the driveway. Regg likes to keep it close in case we need it for a quick getaway.

  “How was your romantic talk outside?” Abby teases me when I drag my wet, heavy boots across the threshold of the cabin. I shoot her a look and she frowns. “That bad?” she asks, and I nod my head as I peel my winter clothes off and hang them up so they’ll be dry for tomorrow.

  “Silas is such a jerk!” I complain, wanting nothing more than to analyze and pick apart every aspect of our last conversation and our entire relationship as a whole.

  “Who’s a jerk?” Ryan asks as he comes over and settles down at the table across from us.

  “I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count,” Megan calls from the couch. Now that I know she probably isn’t going to die, I feel the familiar stab of irritation when she speaks.

  “What did Silas do now?” Ryan asks, making Abby and Megan laugh.