Luck Runs Out
A week later, Frank woke up to find Isabelle and Susan playing outside the bedroom. He walked out of the bedroom into the open area by the stairs and knelt down to them. They were both dressed in princess outfits and had a plastic tea set in between them.
“And what are you pretty ladies doing?” he said.
“We’re having a tea party, daddy,” Isabelle said. She held up a toy cup to him. “Want some tea?”
Frank took the cup and sat down next to her.
“I would love some tea,” he said then took a sip from the imaginary tea. “Mm. That’s good.”
“I’ll be right back,” Susan said as she got up and ran down the hall.
Frank looked down and saw Isabelle’s doll. “Does Jenny like the tea?”
“No. She likes coffee, like mommy does,” Isabelle said as she let Jenny take a sip of her ‘coffee’.
“She does,” Frank asked, playfully.
“Uh huh,” she said. By this time, Susan came running back down the hall with something in her hand. She walked up to Frank.
Anna and Gloria were walking up the stairs to make sure Frank was up when they spotted the tea party. They stopped on the lower landing and watched Frank play with the kids.
“You can’t be at a tea party without a tiara,” Susan said as she placed the tiara on his head.
“How do I look,” he asked, taking another sip of his ‘tea.’
“You look pretty, daddy,” Isabelle said.
“You do but I think that your head is too big for it,” Susan said with a chuckle.
“I don’t doubt it. It’s made for pretty princesses like you two,” Frank said.
The two girls giggled. Anna and Gloria were still watching the tea party. Both of them were smiling. They decided to leave them to play.
“Frank is a really good father. How did you land a man like him,” Gloria asked.
“I got lucky. Really lucky. Isabelle is actually, well, sort of his stepdaughter. He’s the only father she’s ever known,” Anna said.
“Stepdaughter? Could have fooled me. They seem so close,” Frank said.
“Frank has always been good with kids. He even learned what TV shows and movies she liked and always had a new one waiting for her to watch whenever we had barbeques. He always kept her in mind even though we weren’t together then,” she said, smiling at the thought.
“Yep. I’m jealous. Where is Isabelle’s real dad,” Gloria asked.
“He died in a bombing in Israel. I was only 4 months along with Isabelle,” Anna said, the sadness noticeable in her voice.
“Oh. I’m so sorry,” Gloria said, regretting the question.
“It’s ok. I found Frank. Happy ending, no matter what happens,” Anna said.
“I guess so. Does Frank know,” she asked.
“Yeah,” Anna said.
“Maybe that’s why he tries so hard. Every little girl needs a father figure in their life,” Gloria said.
Anna never thought about it. Frank knew about Anna’s husband before he ever met Isabelle. From day one he was always sweet to the little girl, like a father should. He would even baby sit her while Anna was on night duty, even would video chat with Anna so she could see Isabelle throughout her shift. Anna smiled. He had been a father to her all along.
Nick, Toby, and Tim were around the side of the house. The boys were playing while Nick was emptying dirty water from washing laundry at the wood line.
“Tag! You’re it,” Toby yelled.
The two ran past Nick.
“Not too loud, boys,” Nick called out to them.
Frank was still sitting there discussing dolls and what colors would look good for the dress in Susan’s coloring book. He looked down at his watch. It was coming up on noon.
“So, have my princesses had lunch yet,” Frank asked.
“Nope, I’m hungry,” Susan said.
“Me too,” Isabelle said as she got up.
“Ok. Let’s see what Miss Natalie is cooking,” Frank said as he scooped both of them up into his arms and carried them downstairs. He walked into the kitchen where Anna and Susan were already sitting at the table. Natalie turned around from the stove. They looked at him and smiled.
“I’ve got two hungry princesses here,” Frank said as he put the girls down, gently. The girls sat down at the table.
“You do? Well, I’ve got lunch almost ready,” Natalie said.
Steve was helping Kim bring some last minute supplies from the van.
“You know we are lucky they let us stay here? This could have been bad with Craig shooting at Frank,” Kim said.
“Yeah. Just lucky that Frank is as good as we think he is,” Steve said.
“True. We’re all a bit jumpy lately. Wouldn’t have been surprised if he had shot him. Why couldn’t we have all been in the Bahamas when this shit started,” Kim asked.
“That would be nice,” he put his box on the porch and took her in his arms. “Sandy beaches, plenty of alcohol, girls in bikinis trying to eat us. Sounds a lot better than here.”
Kim giggled. “When you put it that way, it sounds only slightly better than here.”
She stood on her tip toes to kiss him.
Jim and Jesse came out of the house to grab the boxes on the porch and saw them kissing.
“You know there is a free room upstairs, right,” Jim asked as he pointed behind him at the house.
Steve looked at them. “Who are you? Cupid?”
“Just missing my wings,” Jim said. As soon as the words left his lips, they heard screaming from the side of the house.
“Daddy,” Isabelle cried out.
Frank jumped up from the kitchen table.
“Gloria, stay with them,” he said as he ran out of the room.
Frank ran out of the house. He could hear someone screaming ‘run’ at the top of their lungs. Toby and Tim ran past him as approached the corner of the house. The terrified looks on their faces spoke volumes.
Frank turned the corner and saw Nick on the ground. A Biter was on top of him tearing at his stomach. It already had a length of his intestine hanging from its mouth. Nick was still alive, attempting to struggle.
Frank ran at full sprint toward them. As he approached them he took a double step, swinging his leg in front of him, kicking the Biter in the face with his steel toe boots. The Biter flew backward, hitting the ground. Frank followed up by stomping on the Biter’s skull until it caved in. Satisfied that it was dead, he went over to Nick. Steve was already there at his side. Everyone was there with them besides Gloria and the children. Everyone was already crying. They all knew that he wasn’t going to make it.
“Frank…” Nick was gasping, painfully. Tears were streaming as he cried. “I didn’t…Are the kids ok?”
“It’s ok. They’re ok,” Frank said, wiping tears from his face.
Nick nodded.
Frank started crying.
Nick’s gasping slowed, the twitching subsided. Nick’s eyes were fixed on the sky, unmoving.
“Everyone. Go back in the house,” Frank ordered.
“But, Frank,” Anna pleaded.
“Now! You all know what’s coming,” Frank barked, angrily.
They all complied, except for Steve.
“You don’t have to do this alone,” Steve said.
Frank looked at him. The tears were still streaming down both of their faces.
“We’re brothers. You shouldn’t have to do this alone,” Steve said.
Frank looked down at Nick, whose eyes were already starting to constrict and becoming bloodshot. The infection was about to emerge. Frank took out his knife and raised it in both hands, high above Nick’s head. This was the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. Frank could hear that Nick had begun to breathe again. Steve could tell that he was hesitating. He didn’t want to do it. Nick’s body began to twitch.
“Frank…” Steve said.
“I know,” Frank said then thrust the blade down, through Nick’s forehead. Th
e breathing and twitching stopped. Frank eased the blade out. It made a sucking sound as it came out of his skull. Frank threw the knife aside and got up on his feet. He leaned over and took Nick’s hand. Steve knew what Frank wanted. The two picked up Nick and hoisted him up on Frank’s back. Frank carried him to the back yard near the tree line that surrounded half of the house. Steve went to the JERRV and grabbed two shovels and went back to Frank. Frank found an old tarp and covered Nick’s body with it. They chose a spot near the tree line and started digging. About a quarter of the way through, Anna came out with bottles of water for the two men. The tears were still streaming down her face.
“Here. Drink some water,” she said as she held them out for them.
“Thank you,” Steve said as he took the bottle.
Frank didn’t even notice that she was there. He was lost in his own thoughts, his anger and sadness. He knew in his mind that this was his fault, whether it was true or not.
‘I’ve become too complacent,’ he thought. The thoughts angered him even further. The angrier he was, the harder he dug. He was digging so hard that his palms and fingers were already covered in blisters and bleeding. His thoughts were dashed when Anna touched his shoulder.
“Frank,” Anna said. She saw the blood dripping from his hands.
“Honey, your hands…” she said, worryingly.
“Frank. Let someone else finish this,” Steve said.
“I’m fine. I can finish it. I got carried away.” He turned around to face Anna.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” he said as he accepted the water from Anna.
She hugged him tightly. “It’s ok. If you need to scream or yell. I will be here.”
He hugged her back and they both started crying again. Frank reached out with his bloodied hand, grabbing Steve by the shirt, and dragged him in. They hugged and cried together. Everyone was in the house watching. Tommy went out the door, heading for the grave. One by one, they all followed suit, joining the group hug with Frank at the center. Isabelle wiggled her way to Frank and wrapped herself around Frank’s leg. He noticed her down there and released Anna and picked up the little girl and continued crying. He leaned away from Anna so he could see her face.
“I love you,” Frank said.
“I love you too, Frank,” Anna replied.
Once everyone was done crying, Tommy and Jim took up the shovels and continued where Frank and Steve left off. Jesse went to go make a cross for Nick’s grave with Will’s help. Anna and Gloria went back inside with the children. Craig and Kurt went to the barn to get a large wooden box he usually stores his father’s old tools in to use as a coffin. Natalie, Kathy, and Joan went inside to start preparing dinner. Steve went inside to get bandages for Frank’s hands. Frank watched as they all came together from Nick, and him.
‘I have to be stronger than this. They deserve more than me,’ he thought. Steve walked up behind him carrying alcohol and bandages. He patted Frank on the back.
“Let’s take care of those hands, Frank,” Steve said.
“We still have more work to do,” Frank said.
“Hands first, work later. Come on,” Steve said.
Frank reluctantly followed him to the porch where they sat down. Steve soaked a rag with the alcohol and rubbed away the dirt and blood from his hands. Frank didn’t react, didn’t even seem like he noticed. When he had all of the blood cleaned off, he started to bandage his hands.
“Frank,” Steve said, concerned about his friend.
“Yeah,” he replied.
“I already know what you’re thinking. This wasn’t your fault. You have busted your ass, doing everything you can for us. We can’t control everything or be everywhere at once.”
“I know. That doesn’t change the fact that Nick was my responsibility. I told that kid that I would take care of him. That everything would be ok. Now he’s dead,” Frank said, angrily.
“He wasn’t just your responsibility. We take care of each other. I’m just as responsible as you are. You can’t take on the world by yourself,” Steve pleaded.
“I was just… I hoped and prayed every day that this wouldn’t happen,” Frank said.
“We don’t always get what we want. Our luck had to run out sometime.”
“Yeah. I guess you’re right,” Frank admitted.
Steve finished up with bandaging Frank’s hands. Frank flexed his fingers, feeling the restriction from the bandages.
“Thanks, Steve,” Frank said.
“Not that hard to bandage up some hands,” Steve said.
“Not what I was talking about,” Frank said as he got up and started walking back towards the grave.
Steve just sat there watching him as he walked away. Steve knew that Frank still felt responsible but also knew that Frank would push through it. Steve felt a chill down his spine. He knew that this wasn’t the last death they were going to suffer.
‘When is Frank going to hit his breaking point,’ he thought. He hoped he wouldn’t find out.
Frank walked up to Jim. “I’ll take over.”
Jim looked at Tommy then they both looked at Frank.
“Don’t start. We can take breaks. Jim can take back over in a bit. Still a lot of digging to do,” Frank said, sternly.
Steve walked up behind them. “Tommy, I’ll take over too. Come on, give it up.”
Tommy and Jim reluctantly handed over the shovels.
“Why don’t you guys go grab some water? It’s getting hot out here and we still have a ways to go,” Frank said as he started digging again.
“Frank?” Tommy said, his voice dripping with concern.
Frank stopped digging and looked at him. “I’m alright, Tommy. Just grab the water. Jim, why don’t you go see if Craig and Kurt need some help? We could also use a step ladder. This is going to get deep.”
The two men looked at each other.
“Ok, Frank,” Tommy said.
“I’ll go see if Craig has that step ladder,” Jim said.
“Thanks guys,” Frank said.
Anna came back out of the house and walked up to Frank.
“How are the kids,” Frank asked. He stopped digging and looked at her.
“Scared, but that was to be expected. We got them down for a nap. Gloria is reading them a story,” she said. She held out her hands. “What can I do?”
“Want to see if Jesse needs any help making the cross,” Frank requested.
“Sure. I can do that,” she said as she smiled softly at him.
Frank looked at her smile and knew that everything would get better. He’d never loved or trusted someone more.
Anna walked away toward the barn just as Craig and Kurt were carrying the box out. Frank saw the box and was surprised at its size. It was much longer than they had anticipated. He turned to Steve.
“I think the grave needs to be bigger,” Frank said.
Steve looked at him, confused, then he saw the box.
“Shit. That’s a big fucking box,” Steve said.
“We’ll make it work,” Frank said as he started stab at the sides of the hole to lengthen the grave.
Tommy and Kurt had taken over for Steve and Frank. The two men got out of the grave, groaning. Steve rubbed his sore hands together, feeling the blisters that already formed on his hands. Anna came out of the barn with Jesse, who was carrying the cross they made. They walked up to Frank.
“How does it look,” Jesse asked.
The cross bared Nick’s name and Jesse inscribed ‘Loving brother and friend’ underneath his name.
“This looks really good, Jesse. Where did you learn how to do stuff like this,” Frank asked.
“Jim took mechanical shop classes, I took carpentry. It’s always been a hobby of mine. If I had the supplies, I could do something a bit more glamorous,” Jesse said, double checking his work for imperfections.
“This looks great, Jesse. I think it will do just fine.”
“Thanks,” Jesse replied.
Anna walked
up to Frank as he was waiting to go back into the grave. She wrapped her arms around his and leaned her head on his shoulder. Frank took his arm out of her grip and wrapped it around her, holding her close.
About three quarters down in the grave Craig and Kurt were digging. Everyone was covered in sweat and dirt.
Frank walked up to the edge. “Alright guys, I’ll take over. Hop out.”
They looked up at him then stepped up the ladder and walked out of the grave, leaving their shovels stuck in the dirt. Frank jumped off the ledge into the four foot deep grave. Anna jumped in after him. The two finished the grave and climbed up the ladder.
Frank walked over to Nick’s body getting ready to put him in to his makeshift coffin when he thought, ‘probably shouldn’t with cuts all over my hands.’ He looked at his shaking hands, nervously.
Tommy and Jim walked over to him. Tommy put his hand on Frank’s shoulder. “We got him, Frank,” Tommy said.
Tommy and Jim picked up Nick’s tarp-wrapped body and laid him gently into the box. Craig brought over a hammer and nails and nailed the top onto the coffin. The sight of it slammed the fact home for everyone that Nick was really gone. Frank started to hear sobs coming from everyone. He turned to them.
“It’s ok,” Frank said softly. He started to walk slowly toward them. “Cry if you need to. We’ll all get through this together.”
He walked up to Anna. Tears rolling down both their faces. “If anyone needs someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on, just look around. We are family and we’re all here for you.”
He looked at Anna. “Right?”
“Right,” Anna said, wiping her face, replacing tears with more mud.
They spent the next couple of hours, paying their respects to their friend. Tommy, Jim, Kurt, and Steve lowered the coffin into the hole and threw the ropes in. The sun was just dipping below the horizon.
“Craig? Why don’t we start getting everyone inside?” Frank said.
“Yeah. I think it’s time,” he said. He kissed Gloria on her head and started to lead her inside. “Come on guys. Let’s go.”
Frank, Steve, Tommy, Jim, and Jesse remained behind to backfill the grave.
That night, everyone but Gloria, Craig, Jim, and Jesse were in the kitchen staring at their dinner. No one felt like eating. The others were already on watch.
Life In Death (Book 1): Surviving Death (The Struggle) Page 13