“Excuse me, ladies,” Frank said calmly.
He walked over to the Biter and forced his blade into the Biters forehead. The Biter went limp and fell to the ground. He went into the wooded area to make sure no more were coming. The area seemed clear. He went back and grabbed the Biter by its collar and drug it through the wooded area to the other side where they kept a burn pit in a clearing. He dumped the body in the pit then went back over to the women who were still watching him. He could tell that Kathy and Gloria were still spooked.
“You good,” Anna asked.
“Yeah. Were good. Let me go wash my hands and I will come back. Give me a minute,” Frank said.
He finished washing his hands and attempted to walk back outside when Steve caught him at the door.
“Frank? There is something you may want to know,” Steve said, sternly.
“Uh, oh. What is it?”
Steve handed him a pregnancy test. “I found this in the trash in the upstairs bathroom. It’s positive.”
“Holy shit.”
“Yeah. Someone in the group is pregnant. I know they are all on birth control. Do you think we should ask around?”
“No. This is something very personal. They will tell us when they are ready so keep this to yourself for now.”
“Ok, Frank. I just worry. We have been having some good luck lately but I don’t think we are ready for this…”
Frank laughed. “Guess it’s a good thing we have nine months to prepare.”
Steve chuckled. “Smartass.”
“Till the day I die,” he said while walking out the door.
When he got back over to help with laundry, the ladies were talking about how they don’t miss makeup.
“Sorry that took so long,” Frank said.
“That’s ok, sweetheart. What do you think? Do you think we need to wear makeup,” Anna said.
Frank knew a trap when he heard one. He had to think quickly.
“I thought you were,” he replied, keeping as serious a face as he could.
“Good answer,” Gloria said.
Anna smiled. “I always knew you were smart.”
“I try. All I see are three beautiful women who never needed makeup to begin with,” Frank said, with a bit of honey in his voice.
All three women blushed.
“You’re so sweet, Frank,” Anna said.
“God, I’m so jealous,” Gloria yelled.
Frank smiled. “Sorry, ladies. I only have eyes for one woman.”
He leaned down and kissed Anna then went back to wringing out the soaked laundry. He started thinking about the pregnancy test, racking his brain trying to figure out who it could be.
‘Steve said he found it in the bathroom upstairs. That narrows it down to three women: Anna, Natalie, and Gloria. The other ladies don’t generally use the upstairs bathroom,’ he thought.
“Hey, Frank? Are you with us,” Gloria said.
“Huh? Yeah. Sorry. Was just thinking about the fence thing,” he said, lying through his teeth. “What did I miss?”
The ladies laughed.
“We were sitting here talking to you and you’re just over there in your own little world,” Kathy said.
“Yeah. It’s like an amusement park in there,” Frank said. They laughed again.
Tommy came around the house. “Frank, you got a minute?”
“Sure, Tommy. Sorry ladies. Be right back,” Frank said.
He went over to Tommy. “What’s up?”
“Natalie just told me that she’s pregnant…” Tommy said.
“Really? Congratulations! Guess that mystery is solved.”
Tommy looked at him, puzzled by the comment.
“Steve found the test upstairs.”
“Ah. I don’t know what to think, Frank. Part of me is thrilled but the other side of me is dreading it. I don’t want to raise a kid in a world like this.”
“What’s done is done, Tommy. All you can do is be happy with what you have. I’m definitely happy for you. How is Natalie doing?”
“Dreading. Same as me.”
“Well, you can’t think of it like that. All you can do is the best you can to raise it right and to protect them both. Don’t worry, we’ll all be here. We’ve got you back.”
“Yeah. I guess so. Thanks, Frank.”
“You’re welcome. When are you going to tell everyone else?”
“I’ll leave that up to Natalie. You may be happy for us, but I’m not sure about everyone else.”
“I’m sure they will be happy for you. I know some of them will worry but they will be happy. You guys let me know if you need anything. For now, I will keep it under wraps, even from Steve.”
“Thanks, Frank. I appreciate it.”
“Any time, Tommy.”
Tommy walked away.
Frank smiled. ‘Things just got even more interesting.’
Hours later, Frank, Craig, and Jim were cleaning weapons in the basement when Natalie came downstairs.
“Frank, can I talk to you?”
‘Here we go,’ Frank thought.
“Sure thing. I’ll be right back, guys.”
They walked upstairs and out on the front porch. Natalie closed the door behind them. Frank looked around to make sure no one was listening in.
“How are you feeling?”
Natalie started to tear up. “I’m scared. I don’t know what to do.”
“Be happy. That’s all you can do.”
“How can I be happy giving birth to a child in this?” She motioned towards the sky.
“Because we will all be here to support you, especially Tommy. He’s scared, just like you but he is also thrilled for you.”
Frank noticed Anna and Steve coming around the house. He motioned for them to wait and give them a minute.
“I know. Believe me, I’m thrilled too but I never wanted to have kids in the situation we’re in. I wanted to have my children in a nice hospital and have a normal life. I’m sorry. I don’t even know how this happened. I’ve taking the birth control every day.” She was crying now.
Frank put his hand on her shoulder. “I know, but it happens. The only thing you can do is raise the kid as best you can. Everyone will be here to support you. You just worry about the kid and let me and Tommy worry about the world. Besides, it’ll be nice to have another rug rat running around.”
Natalie giggled and wiped her face. “Yeah. I guess it will. Thank you, Frank. I feel better.”
She hugged him.
“I’m so happy for you guys.”
He released her. She had a big smile on her face.
“Thank you, Frank,” she said then went into the house.
Anna and Steve continued to the porch after she went inside.
“What’s wrong, Frank,” Anna asked.
“I can’t say. Not yet, anyway,” Frank said then looked at Steve. He understood.
Anna looked at him with suspicion then she realized. “She’s preg…”
Frank put a hand over her mouth, interrupting her.
“Nope. Don’t just to conclusions. There are ears everywhere. Keep it to yourself for now. Only we know. They will tell when they are ready. For now, they’re scared.”
“Got it.” She raised her fists and shook them. “I’m so excited!”
“I know. So am I,” Frank said.
“I’m glad you two are so excited. I haven’t delivered a kid since I was in the Navy…” Steve said.
They giggled. Frank decided to mess with him just a bit.
“I wonder if it’s like riding a bike.”
Steve chuckled. “Shut up, Frank.”
Frank and Anna laughed.
Chapter 22
Tonya
The next morning, Tommy and Natalie asked Frank to call a meeting.
“Ok guys. As you may have guessed by the way I’m dressed, we are planning on going hunting this morning, but before that, Tommy and Natalie have an announcement. Tommy?”
Frank stepped
aside and Tommy took his place with Natalie at his side. Frank could see the dread on Natalie’s and Tommy’s faces.
“Well, guys. There is really nothing else to say. Natalie is pregnant,” Tommy said.
The entire group’s jaws dropped, everyone except Frank, Anna, and Steve.
“Really,” Kim and Kathy yelled in unison. They both got up and started hugging them.
“Congratulations,” they squealed.
Anna joined them. The four shared a group hug. Everyone was on their feet now, congratulating the two. They both started crying in happiness. The moment they dreaded was finally past them.
“How far along do you think,” Gloria asked.
“I think about two weeks,” Natalie answered, rubbing tears from her eyes.
Tommy looked at Frank. He broke away from the group and hugged him like a son would a father.
“Thank you, Frank. You were right.”
“You’re welcome.”
Tommy released him and rejoined Natalie.
“I think this calls for a celebration. Jim? Let’s go kill a deer,” Frank announced.
They group laughed.
“Yeah. Let me go grab my gear,” Jim said.
“I’ll go too,” Jesse said.
“Me, too,” Anna said.
“Ok. Go grab you’re gear. I want to be on the road, in say, fifteen minutes,” Frank said. They went inside to get ready.
Frank walked up to Tommy and Natalie.
“So what are we hoping for,” Frank said.
“It doesn’t matter to me, boy or girl,” Tommy said.
“Me either. As long as it’s healthy and happy,” Natalie said.
“You guys are going to make great parents,” Frank said.
“I hope you’re right,” Tommy said.
“Aren’t I always,” Frank asked, sarcastically.
“Yeah. So far,” Tommy admitted.
Later that morning, Frank and Anna stopped on the side of the road after dropping Jim and Jesse off at their hunting area.
“Ok. You ready to go,” Frank asked.
Anna tightened the straps on her pack. “Yep. Let’s go.”
A few hours, a ‘personal’ break, and two traps later, Frank spotted deer tracks. He motioned for Anna.
“Fresh deer tracks,” Frank whispered.
“How can you tell if they are fresh?”
“This dirt is pretty silty,” he pinched some dirt up and let go to show her. The dirt dispersed in the breeze.
“With this breeze that is going, it can obscure the tracks in an hour or so. These tracks are definitely fresh. It’s also a buck. A big one. You can tell by the shape and the size of the hoof points and their placement. Doe tracks are usually skinnier at the tip. These are fat all the way to the tip. Understand?”
Anna nodded.
“Ok. Let’s go get him.”
They walked for another hour, still following the tracks. Frank heard the sound of antlers scraping against a tree in front of them. He motioned for Anna to stop and they both took a knee. He took out a call they picked up during their last trip to the outdoor store. The call he wanted was a challenge call which basically sounded like a deep, nasal exhale. Frank thought for a second. He motioned for Anna to move up.
“I will draw him out. You take the shot. When you hear me make a sound, he will stop. That’s your que,” he whispered directly in her ear. She nodded.
Frank called out to the deer and waited a second. He tried one more time. He heard a reply. The deer thought another male was challenging him for his territory. The deer came from around a large tree back onto the trail and granted them a broadside target. The deer was massive but Anna was ready for him.
“Eep.” Frank made his noise.
The buck stopped and looked. Without hesitation she took the shot. The buck stumbled and fell. The two walked up to the beast. Its shoulders were nearly as broad as Tommy’s and it was the biggest rack Frank had ever seen, at least twelve large points. Frank knelt down to inspect Anna’s shot. It was perfect, just as he expected.
“Nice shot, sweetheart,” Frank said.
“I aim to please. Get it,” Anna asked, hoping she said the joke correctly.
Frank laughed. “You’re so punny.”
Frank heard two squelches of static on his radio. Jim was checking on them. He took out his radio.
“Alpha here,” Frank said.
“You guys ok?” Jim said.
“We are, Bravo. We got a monster of a buck over here.”
“Nice. We’ll start heading your way.”
“Copy. Be safe,” Frank said.
Frank took rope and a broken broom stick out of his bag. After stringing up the beast, he handed the knife set over to Anna.
“Want me to walk you through it,” Frank asked.
Anna took the knife set. “No. Not yet anyway. I’ve watch you do it a few time. I think I can handle it.”
“Ok. Have at it.”
He watched as she worked on the beast. She showed the precision of a seasoned hunter.
Anna was ready to remove the organs. “It’s only the heart and liver that we keep right?”
“You got it,” Frank answered, still watching in amazement.
He was always fascinated by how quickly she could pick skills up and without any practice. She was a natural at anything she did. Just before she completed, Jesse and Jim walked up.
“Nice kill,” Jesse said.
“No shit! This thing is huge! I think Anna has the record right now,” Jim added.
Anna blushed slightly. “Thank you.”
“This is a very nice kill. Let’s get it down and drag it out of here,” Frank said.
Frank and Jesse dragged the beast on the dolly while Anna and Jim led them out. As they approached the van, they heard a child’s screams.
“What the hell,” Jim yelled.
“Jesse, stay with the deer. Anna, Jim. Let’s go,” Frank ordered.
The three sprinted toward the source of the screams. When they came to the edge of the wood line, they saw a young girl on top of the van and two Biters reaching for her.
Frank burst through the brush, just as the male Biter climbed the back of the van. Frank, using his shoulder, shoved the two Biters out of the way. Anna came from behind him and stabbed the female Biter in the side of her head. Frank rushed over and stabbed the male in his. The two cleaned their blades off on the Biter’s shirts. Frank noticed that the two were not decayed. The male was white and the female was an African- American. They had recently turned. He turned back to the girl. She was terrified.
“Are you ok,” he asked.
She didn’t answer. She starred at the bodies, crying uncontrollably. Frank stepped into her view between her and the dead Biters. Her gaze went to him.
“Are you hurt, honey,” Frank repeated.
She shook her head no. Frank held out his hand for her.
“Come on down. It’s safe.”
The girl hesitated.
Frank stretched out his hand. “It’s ok. Take it.”
The girl took his hand and she moved to the edge of the van. Frank grabbed her by the waist and eased her off the van.
“There we go,” he said as he set her on the ground.
“What is your name, sweetie,” Frank asked.
She tried to control her sobs to answer. She couldn’t.
“Where are your parents,” Frank asked.
Still unable to speak, she pointed. Frank looked in the direction she was pointing. It was at the two Biters.
“Jesus…” His heart sank. Not only did she watch as her parents tried to kill her, she had to watch him kill them.
He hugged the girl. “I’m so sorry.”
The girl cried into his shirt. Tears flowed down Frank’s cheeks. He looked at Anna, who was also crying. He let go of the girl.
“Is there somewhere we can take you?”
She shook her head no, again.
“Ok. You can come with us. We�
��ll take care of you. Ok?”
She nodded in agreement. Frank unlocked the van and motioned for her to get in. Once she was in the seat he looked in.
“Just sit tight, ok? I’ll be right back.”
She grabbed his hand.
“Please don’t leave me…” she said.
“Ok. I won’t. I promise,” Frank said. He looked at Anna and Jim. “Go and give Jesse a hand. We need to go.”
They nodded.
Frank turned back to the girl. “So what’s your name, sweetie?”
“Tonya,” she finally said.
“Ok, Tonya. I’m Frank. We’re going to take you to our house. It’s not too far away,” Frank said.
“Ok,” she said through her sobs.
Anna opened the cargo door on the van. Tonya jumped out of her seat at the sound.
“Hey, it’s ok. I’m here,” he said, trying to comfort her.
She got back in her seat. Frank looked her over. He figured she was about fourteen years old, light brown skinned and slim. He didn’t see any bites but had to ask anyway.
“Are you hurt, Tonya? Did they bite you?”
She shook her head, still sobbing.
It took a few minutes to get the massive deer into the cargo area. Once they were all in the van, Frank introduced Tonya to the group. Anna was in the back seat, holding Tonya’s hand. She was still shaking. Jesse was in the very back sitting with the deer. Frank took out his radio.
“Alpha to base,” Frank called out.
“Base here,” Steve answered.
“Base, we’ll have a guest coming back with us. I’ll explain when we get there,” Frank said.
“Alpha?” Steve was confused.
“It’s ok. I’ll explain later,” Frank advised.
“Copy, alpha,” Steve said.
Frank could tell even through the static that he was concerned.
The group met them in the yard. Frank got out of his seat. Steve walked up to him. He could see that Frank was upset.
“What’s up, Frank?”
Frank didn’t answer. Instead, he helped Tonya out of the van. Steve’s eyes widened.
“And who do we have here,” Steve asked.
He knelt down and looked up at her, a tactic used by child counselors to try and make the child feel more comfortable. Tonya gripped Frank’s hand. She was still crying and now she was uncomfortable with so many people looking at her.
Life In Death (Book 1): Surviving Death (The Struggle) Page 25