Running Wild

by Kristen Middleton

  When we finally made it through the town of undead bikers, we slowed until we parked parallel to Dale on the side of the road. The other truck sat idling about a hundred feet away, now facing towards us with its lights shining brightly.

  Dale rolled his window down. “What the hell is that guy doing?”

  Billie waved at the red truck through his window but they didn’t respond. “You’d think they’d be happy to see other living people,” he yelled.

  “Maybe it’s because you look a little creepy sweetheart,” quipped Dale, “especially, with your mascara running down your face, your crazy man hair, and the torn evening gown.”

  “Oh damn it,” groaned Billie, looking down. “It is torn! And it’s a Versace.”

  I looked over at Henry, who was now snoring softly.

  Poor guy, I thought, thinking of his best friend, Mary. She’d had a huge heart and she had paid for it, with her life.

  I picked the sword up off the floor she’d given me and cringed, it was still covered with traces of zombie blood. “I’m putting this sword into the back of the SUV,” I said. “It’s totally disgusting.”

  When I got out of the SUV, the mysterious truck flashed his high beams at me, temporarily blinding me. I scowled and flipped him off.

  “Cassie,” said Billie, “best to not start anything. We’ve all had enough violence tonight.”

  “The jerk doesn’t have to flash me like that,” I said climbing back in.

  With a rev of the engine, the strangers kicked up some rocks and tore away down the road.

  “Freak,” snorted Dale.

  “Hey Dale, you lead,” said Billie. “Next town you see that’s not too infested with those zombies, find a store. I need to get my hands on some new clothes.”

  “We all do honey,” said Shane pointing his thumb at Dale. “It’s beginning to smell a little funky in this SUV.”

  Dale snickered.

  “You know it’s true,” said Shane. “Don’t be a hater because I smell like Chanel and you smell like something that crawled out of a zombie’s butt.”

  “Excuse me, but your perfume wore off many zombies ago. Don’t even get me started on your stank, bitch.”

  “Let’s go,” said Billie, who shook his head and started the engine. Before long we were on the road again, driving through Kentucky.

  I sent my dad a text message letting him know that we were a little behind time and that I really missed him.

  I miss you too, honey, he’d typed back. If we beat you to Nashville, I’ll text you. Also, if your phones die, just meet us at the Grand Ole Opry. It’s only a few miles past the airport and there are signs all over to lead you there. Stay strong!

  Although I was dying to ask about Bryce and Eva, I really didn’t want to know what was happening, so I just typed a quick good-bye to my dad. In less than four hours, I’d know the truth anyway.

  Chapter Eighteen

  We drove until we reached the city of Richmond where Dale pulled into a large Wal-Mart parking lot after deciding against the local mall, where there were too many zombies to risk getting in.

  “This makes more sense anyway,” I said. “I think they even sell firearms.”

  We followed Dale through the parking lot while he maneuvered us around most of the zombies. Just when I thought he was going to drive through the front entrance, he drove around to the back of the store where an employee exit door stood ajar.

  “I worked at Wal-Mart when I was younger,”said Dale, “always kept the back door open there too .”

  “Keep your personal life to yourself,” grumbled Henry. “There’s a young impressionable girl present.”

  “Got to love a hypocrite,” mumbled Billie under his breath.

  Henry scowled. “What was that?”

  Hiding my smile, I went to the back of the truck and grabbed the katana.

  “Zombies coming…let’s go in, now!” hollered Dale.

  A large group of zombies staggered towards us as we quickly slipped through the door into the warehouse. The door locked automatically once it was shut and we could hear them growling and clawing outside, trying desperately to get to us.

  “It’s dark in here,” mumbled Dale.

  “That’s why you should always be prepared,” said Henry, pulling out a flashlight. “I made it this far for a reason too, you know.”

  We cautiously made our way through the warehouse and into the large store. From there we found just enough light peeking through the windows as the sun began to rise to see where we were going. This was good because it was at that point we encountered our first two zombies in Wal-Mart.

  “Got this,” I hollered.

  I raised the katana and within seconds I had both of their rotting heads rolling down the aisle.

  “Damn girl,” said Shane giving me a high five. “I think you’re my new BFF. No offense, Dale?”

  Dale pretended to pout. “None taken, bitch.”

  Henry looked bewildered and shook his head. “You people are so confusing.”

  “Gun section up ahead,” I said jogging towards the large glass case. I found a couple of rifles and quickly broke through the lock to inspect them.

  “This one’s impressive. It’s an M16,” I said and smiled, surprised by their selection. “Oh yeah, this will do very nicely.”

  Dale patted me on the back. “You know, I don’t know what we’d have done without your help. Has anyone ever told you that you’re a rock star?.”

  I blushed. “No, but thanks.”

  “I have to agree, your parents raised you right. You were more prepared for this shit than any of us,” said Billie, putting an arm around my shoulders. “Martial artist, gun slinger, and even a sword master. Damn, I’ve never, ever met a girl your age with as much determination.”

  I shrugged. “Survival will do that.”

  “Well, you survive very well,” said Dale. “And we’re all grateful.”

  “Let’s get going before I die of old age here,” said Henry. “I’m supposed to be meeting my son in Nashville in a few hours.”

  “Oh, is he cute?” asked Dale.

  The look Henry gave him was enough raise the all of the dead we’d killed earlier.

  “Um, we should really stock up on ammunition,” I said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

  We scored several rounds of ammunition, for both rifles and even my Ruger.

  “Here,” said Billie, handing me a backpack. “Fill it up.”

  When we were done, we searched the rest of the sporting goods section and located some pretty impressive machetes.

  “Oh yeah,” said Shane as he picked up one that was twenty- five inches long. “I don’t care what they say, bigger is better.”

  “Zombies, coming in quickly!” squealed Dale.

  Three rabid zombies were ambling towards us. Henry raised his gun and started shooting.

  “Shane, behind you!” I yelled.

  Shane turned around and screamed at the gruesome zombie coming at him. Its face was riddled with bloody sores, one of its ears was missing, and its intestines were trailing behind. It was so disfigured that you couldn’t tell if it was male or female.

  Shane closed his eyes and started stabbing wildly at the air.

  “Jesus Christ, open your eyes sissy!” hollered Henry, shaking his head. “The zombie isn’t going to wait for you to kill it or step into your line of stabs.”

  But he’d overestimated this mindless zombie, who did step forward to receive a deep stab, right to his skull.

  “Good job Shane!” cried Dale, as he ran towards Shane and shook him excitedly. “You did it!”

  Shane was trembling and there were tears running down his cheeks. “It’s… dead?” he asked, brushing at them.

  I grinned. “Oh, it’s more than dead now Shane. Awesome job!”

  He closed his eyes again, nodded slowly and released a ragged sigh. “Just give me a moment to compose myself.”

  We split up and began scoping out the store,
killing more zombies.

  “Rotten meat,” remarked Dale, when I ran into him by the food section. “God, it smells as bad as the zombies over here.”

  Packages of unrefrigerated meat lie strewn throughout the place, most of them opened and empty.

  “Looks like they were really feasting over here,” said Billie coming up behind me.

  We grabbed a stroller and started gathering some non-perishable food, water, and first-aid items. I also grabbed a large container of pickles.

  “Pickles?” said Billie. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”

  “Only that I love ‘em,” I said, opening up the jar. I took a large one out and started crunching down. I closed my eyes and smiled. “Oh, how I’ve missed you my love.”

  “Billie, do you like your pickles that big, too?” asked Dale with a twinkle in his eyes.

  “Shut it perv,” replied Billie.

  “Hey,” called Henry who was walking towards us. “I think it’s time you boys left your skirts behind and found something more appropriate for killing zombies.” He was now wearing a new pair of jeans and button down shirt. The cowboy hat he’d been wearing earlier was also replaced with a new black one.

  “Looking sharp, Henry,” I said, crunching down on my second pickle.

  “Thanks Cassie. You know, you might want to consider changing yourself.”

  I looked down; my shirt was splattered with bits of zombie gore. “Yeah, it’s time to go shopping.”

  I grabbed a cart and started loading it with t-shirts, shorts, and underwear.

  “Billie, can you cover me while I change in the ladies room?” I asked.

  He smiled. “No problem.”

  “Thanks,” I said, grabbing a few toiletries, a couple of towels, and some new mountain boots.

  In the restroom I stripped and cleaned the dried blood from my body, then washed my hair and brushed my teeth

  As I stepped out of the restroom wearing a white tank top and black cargo pants, Billie gave me an exasperated smile. “Um, you have a whole store to choose from and you’re going to go with “boring”?”

  “Sorry, I’m going with practical.”

  He studied my face. “I guess with your looks, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. I’m sure the boys were pounding down your door back home for dates.”

  I snorted. “No. Not really.”

  “Maybe they were intimidated by you.”

  “Well, I went out with one guy from my karate class a couple of times. We didn’t really connect though. Then there was this other guy recently who I thought was the one, but…” I shrugged and looked down.

  Billie placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. “I’m sorry, honey. Did he die?” he asked softly

  I looked him in the eyes. “No, but if I get my hands on him, he’s going to wish he had.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  We grabbed our carts, now heaped with supplies, killed a few zombies hovering around the two trucks, and left Wal-Mart.

  “We’ll follow you, Shane,” said Billie, again in the driver’s seat. Henry rode next to him again while I sprawled out in the back with my tender ankle.

  Shane was driving the other vehicle this time, giving Dale a chance to rest. They’d both changed into regular street clothes and it had surprised me how masculine they actually looked without their costumes.

  “Cassie, how’s your ankle?” asked Henry.

  I grinned. “Better, now that I have ibuprofen.”

  “It looks pretty swollen.”

  I smiled. “You wouldn’t happen to have an ice-pack, would you?”

  “Amazing how much you take the simple things in life for granted. Like ice,” replied Henry.

  Billie released a long sigh. “I don’t know…is it me or did taking that stuff feel really wrong to you guys? I mean, all of those items would have cost thousands of dollars and we just took it. We looted a frickin’ Wal-Mart.”

  Henry, who’d just bitten into a foot long Hershey bar, snorted. “Don’t you go feeling guilty son. What stores charge these days is highway robbery, by golly. Back in my day, regular candy bars cost only a nickel and you could buy yourself a house for the price of what’s sitting in our trunk right now.”

  “Well, it still feels wrong to me,” said Billie.

  “Hey, there’s that truck again,” I said, pointing out the window ahead of us.

  The pickup we’d encountered earlier was now pulled over to the side of the road.

  I rolled down my window as we passed by and raised my hand in greeting. Just like before, however, they ignored us.

  “Forget that idiot,” said Henry, “If he doesn’t want to be friendly, so be it. Besides, we don’t need more distractions. I want to get to my grandson.”

  I turned to stare out the back window and watched the truck pull back onto the road.

  “Looks like he’s decided to follow us,” I said. “Oh, and coming in pretty quickly too.”

  The truck continued to speed up until he was riding our bumper. I struggled to see the driver, but the windows were tinted so dark, I couldn’t make out anything.

  “I thought it was illegal to have windows so dark?” said Billie. “Hey jerk! Go around or get off our asses!

  The truck tapped our bumper and I flew forward and hit the back of the seat in front of me. Like an idiot I hadn’t had my seatbelt on. I’d been too busy trying to lie down.

  Billie swore and opened up his window. He then stuck his hand out and motioned for the driver to go around us.

  Instead the truck tapped us again, this time a little harder.

  “Jesus Christ!” hollered Henry. “Are you sure this ain’t one of your relatives Wild?”

  I ignored Henry’s jab and instead, opened up my window and flipped the other driver off. Seconds later it tapped us a third time and I went crashing back down to the floor.

  “Well, that’s it, I’m pulling over,” said Billie. “Find out what this asshole’s problem is.”

  “No!” shouted both Henry and I at the same time.

  “That’s what he wants, son! Hand me my rifle, Wild. I’ll take care of this jackass.”

  The next thing I knew, Henry had removed his hat and was leaning out the window with his gun raised, just like in the movies.

  I quickly got far down in the backseat as quickly as possible. I couldn’t imagine this turning out good.

  “Tap this bitch, asshole!” yelled Henry as he began firing out the window, towards the truck.

  “Get him?” I yelled.

  “No. They sure make it look easy on television,” grumbled Henry as he reloaded.

  Then, before you could say “five-cent chocolate”, the pickup flew past us, leaving us eating his dust.

  “Okay, that was weird,” I said sitting up straight.

  “You okay?” asked Billie, looking at me in the rearview mirror.

  “Fine,” I said.

  Henry rolled up his window and put his hat back on. “I’d better keep my gun ready, just in case.”

  I grabbed my Ruger, something told me that I’d be needing it very soon.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Did you see that?” asked Billie about an hour later.

  “What?” asked Henry.

  I put down the book I’d taken from the store and sat up straighter. “What’s wrong?”

  We’d slowed down near an abandoned motel. Three dead zombies lay near the office.

  “So?” I asked. “Someone killed the zombies. Maybe they wouldn’t give them a room?”

  “No, I think I saw that truck going around the back of these motel units. The one who’s been messing with us,” replied Billie.

  “Well, just keep going,” I said. “We don’t need any more trouble.”

  “No, I think we should have it out with that bastard,” barked Henry smacking the palm of his hand. “He might be waiting for us right now. You never know, he could be taking a break and planning on attacking us all over again. We can surprise him thi
s time, though.”

  Shane and Dale, noticing we’d stopped, turned around and parked next to us.

  “What’s going on?” asked Dale.

  “Did you see that jerk messing with us earlier?” asked Billie?”

  Shane nodded. “We weren’t sure exactly what was going on. He roared past us like the devil was chasing him.”

  “We think he’s hiding out behind the row of motel rooms over there,” pointed Billie.

  “We can trap him,” said Henry. “Sandwich him in.”

  “If that’s what you want to do,” said Dale. “But I think we should just get the hell out of here and leave the psycho alone. What if he has a gun?”

  “We’ve got guns,” replied Henry.

  “But we don’t know how crazy that guy is. He might just start shooting at everyone,” said Dale.

  “Look, he’s attacked us already and it’s kind of odd how he’s hiding out here now. It’s almost like he’s waiting for us,” said Billie. “I’m with Henry on this. We need to get rid of this guy once and for all.”

  “What are you going to do, go back there and kill him?” I asked incredulously.

  “No, but we can at least take out his tires. We’ll immobilize him and leave,” said Billie.

  I nodded. “I’ll go with that.”

  Stopping him before he did anything else to us later, made perfect sense to me.

  “If you’re going to do something, do it quick then,” said Dale. “He’ll be coming around pretty soon, if that’s what he’s doing.”

  Billie nodded. “I think we should go on foot, shoot his tires and run.”

  “I guess that means I’m going,” I said. The only other person who could shoot fairly well was Henry, and he could barely walk. Well, with my injured ankle, I wasn’t much better.

  “Don’t worry,” said Billie. “Dale and I are coming with to cover you.”

  Dale nodded and got out of the other SUV.

  “I’ll honk if I see him coming around the other side,” said Shane.

  Billie and I got out and grabbed our guns. We then snuck around to the back of the motel. Sure enough, it was the same pickup truck we’d seen earlier.