Katie slammed on the brakes. "Oh, God."
Travis sat silently, watching the flood. "They're out."
Katie licked her lips and glanced toward him. "Yeah."
At least a hundred zombies were flooding the street between the truck and Jenni. Katie could see Juan pulling Jenni back off the top of the dirt truck.
"Turn and go," Travis said softly.
Katie spun the wheel around as she pushed down on the accelerator and the truck plowed through the zombies that had originally been giving them chase.
They were jostled around in the cab as the huge wheels churned over the dead. The truck broke free and raced up the long stretch of road out of town. Katie's gaze flicked to the rear view mirror. She saw some zombies still in pursuit, but most of the others were now beating their fists against the truck barricade.
Travis was very quiet behind her, breathing hard, reeking of gasoline. Her shower was a moot point and she felt hot and sweaty. She glanced toward him to see he was running a hand slowly through his hair. Lifting his head, he said, "We just do what we planned."
Katie licked her very dry lips and nodded. "Yeah. Okay." Her throat felt tight and scratchy and she forced herself to take a calming breath.
How they were going to get back into the fort would be dealt with later. For now they had a job to do and they were determined to do it.
2. Left Behind
Jenni was dimly aware of Juan pulling her back as she strained forward, reaching her hand toward the red truck. She screamed loud and hard as it spun around and retreated as the throng of the dead filled the street between her perch on top of the enormous truck and Ralph's red truck that Katie was driving. Juan stumbled back with her in his arms as the dead began to bang on the side of the construction truck, moaning and screeching. The heavy sandbags held the truck sturdy and it was too high for the undead to scramble over.
"They're not climbers as far as we know, but let’s not give them the idea to try it," Juan said in her ear and half carried, half dragged her down the ladder.
She struggled in his arms. "Katie, no! She can't leave without me!" Jenni felt like her head was going to explode as she thrashed about. Juan dropped her and they both fell behind the barricade. Safe but bruised, they were hidden from the zombies.
Katie couldn't leave her. Katie was safety. Katie was her friend. Her war buddy. Her comrade.
Jenni scrambled to her feet, drawing her gun, grabbing ahold of the ladder.
Juan gripped her wrist tightly. "No. They are gone already! They're safe. Let them go!"
Jason was at the wall, waving at her from over the top. "Mom, come back!"
She felt the world spinning around her and she covered her face for a moment. Mom...? Was she still a Mom?
Those tiny fingers...
"Mom! Come back in!"
Benji...gone...Mikey...gone...Jason...Jason calling to her.
She stumbled forward and Juan helped her up onto the next ladder to scale the hurricane fence. She shoved her gun into her waistband and dropped to the other side.
She turned back, the morning sun blinding her for a moment.
Katie...
Juan pushed her up onto the next ladder. "Come on, Loca. Get up there."
Jason reached down to her and she crawled up to him. His arms went around her for a moment in a tight hug, then he was pulling her down the steps someone had made and pushed up to the wall for easy access. Jack was at her feet whining.
"Katie left..."
"She'll be fine, Mom. She'll be fine." Jason held her tightly to him and helped her walk.
"But we're a team. If I'm not with her, they'll get her. That's how it works. That's how it works."
"Travis is with her, Mom. She'll be okay. C'mon, Mom." Jason pulled her along and she went with him.
Jenni felt numb, disoriented, and overwhelmed. Katie needed to be here or she needed to be with Katie. That was how it worked. They had to be together, as a team, or else the zombies would get them.
The world started spinning again...
She fainted.
3. And Further Still
Katie looked at the gas gauge and frowned. As the truck tore over the bumpy country road, she was jostled about. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly to steady herself and her nerves. She let out a slow sigh.
"It's up ahead. Soon," Travis assured her. He was peering at a map, much like Jenni used to.
Jenni...
Katie wondered how she was doing. She had a feeling Jenni was not taking their separation well. Actually, she wasn't either. They had bonded so quickly, so tightly, to be separated felt odd and disorienting. Travis’ presence was different than Jenni's. It had her a little off balance. She wanted to reach out and take Jenni's hand and feel that it was all going to be okay. Instead, she gripped the steering wheel tighter.
"I'm sorry," Travis said softly.
"Why sorry?"
"It was my stupid idea to have us leave and now…" He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Katie. I've never been a real leader before. I'm sure I'm fucking things up."
"No, no, you're doing your best. Hell, none of us have any idea what we are really doing."
"Except Juan with his zombie handbook. He assured me that the guns were important though he mumbled something about blades," Travis said grimly.
"Guns are effective. They just draw a lot of attention fast," Katie reminded him. "But I'd rather have a gun than a blade with some of the faster ones."
"Yeah, Juan is still bitching about that. He keeps complaining that they're supposed to be slow. But some of the ones that aren't as screwed up are really damn fast."
Katie let out a little laugh. "Actually, Jenni spent a good deal of time bitching about the same thing."
"Gas station should be just around that bend." Travis looked at her with an unreadable expression. "I'm really sorry."
"It's okay. It's not like I haven't done this before." She smiled at him and pulled into the Mom and Pop gasoline station Travis pointed to. "After two days of this, I'm an old pro."
The station was a very old building with peeling white paint and heavy bars over the windows, but the pumps were new. A beat up, very old trailer was nestled behind the weathered gas station. Travis looked out his window. He turned to her. "It looks clear. I'll see if I can get into the building and turn on the pumps. The readouts on the pumps are still working, so the electricity isn't out here."
Katie pulled her credit card out of her pants pocket. "We could just try this."
Travis looked at the card, then at her, and finally smiled. "I knew there was a reason I had you with me."
Katie slid out of the truck, her gun drawn, her gaze sweeping over the terrain. She was feeling a little too hot and mushy headed. Wiping her brow, she glanced toward Travis to see that the credit card had worked. He grabbed the nozzle and gave her a wink.
"We're in business," he said.
"Just make it fast."
Her stomach gave a low growl and a twinge ran through her intestines. Dammit, great time to have an upset stomach. Sliding around the front of the truck, she looked all around, studying the shadows under the trees and the buildings in the distance.
"Do you have food and water, Travis!" It was a woman's voice. Young, perky.
Travis whirled around, as did Katie.
A young woman with red hair had slid open what looked like a window for after hour payments.
"A bottle or two of water would do us fine, Rachel," Travis answered. "Glad to see you're okay."
"We got the family holed up in here. But nothing has come by since yesterday. Luthor shot it and we drug it out back."
Travis nodded and motioned to Katie to go get the stuff.
Katie kept her gaze on her surroundings as she moved toward the building. She felt her stomach flutter and she hated being so exposed in the openness of the parking lot. She walked sideways and took a long look down the side of the building to make sure nothing lurked there, then moved toward the window.
The girl waited for her, the window half open, talking to someone hidden from view.
Rachel was handed a bag and she pushed the window all the way open to hand it to Katie. She took it gratefully and peeked inside. It had water and Danish in it. She was getting tired of Danish.
Rachel looked at her for a long moment, sizing her up. "You and Travis heading out of town together? Going to hide somewhere?"
"We have a mission for city hall, actually. That's where we're located and hoping to get back there."
"I heard that a lot of people were down there on the CB. We decided to wait it out here until the army comes," Rachel answered. "We got food in here to last us, but I'm sure the army will get here soon."
"What makes you think they will come?"
"Because that's their job," Rachel answered and looked toward Travis. "So, you and Travis are doing a mission? What kinda mission?"
Katie smiled slightly, realizing the woman was jealous.
"Getting guns to blow the zombies to hell," Katie answered.
"Yeah? Hell, just go into any house around here and you'll find guns."
"And maybe zombies," Katie reminded her.
"Yeah, that's not good."
"Let's go, Katie!" Travis slammed the lid to the tank closed and waved to her.
"Thanks, Rachel," Katie said and quickly ran toward him.
She felt her intestines twisting again. Her head was throbbing now. What the hell was wrong with her?
"You okay?" Travis looked at her with concern.
"Yeah," she said firmly. She slid back into the driver's seat and put on her seatbelt. Her hands felt clammy when she gripped the steering wheel and, for a moment, her eyesight swam.
Travis reached out and ran his hand over her hair gently. "Katie, you're burning up."
She leaned her forehead against the steering wheel. "I just don't feel good all at once."
"Nothing got you?" Travis asked, his voice edged with fear.
"No, no. Nothing touched me even." She stared at him through a blond curl falling over her eyes. "I just don't feel good."
"Let me drive," Travis said.
"Okay," Katie answered. Her strength was leaving her fast. She slid over into the passenger seat. The wound she had received when sliding down onto the road sent a sharp pain through her limb and she grimaced.
Travis came around and got into the driver's seat. He touched her forehead again gently. "You feel feverish. You better rest. Here, drink some water."
Katie smiled at how sweet he was as he buckled her in and handed her the bottle of water. "Thanks."
His hands were rough, but very cool on her face and neck. "Katie, are you sure..."
"Yes, yes. I wouldn't lie about that."
He nodded and ran his hand lightly down her cheek to her neck. "Rest."
Katie took long sips of water and watched the road begin its never-ending scrawl beneath the tires of the truck. The tank now full, the truck sped down the road that would lead them to Ralph's tiny little town and his hunting store.
She was feeling worse and worse and closed her eyes. She must have dozed because she woke with a start. "Pull over!"
Travis slammed on the brakes and Katie flung open the door and threw up her breakfast. Heaving, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"It may not be safe, Katie," Travis said, his hand on her back, a comforting gesture, yet she knew he was ready to yank her back inside.
"Okay, “ she said, and threw up all that remained in her stomach. She slammed the door shut and wiped her mouth off with a kerchief Travis handed her.
Travis drew near her, his hand on her face, then her neck. He saw her wounded forearm. "Katie, what is this?"
"Scrape. I caught it on the truck when we jumped down."
He looked at it and nodded. He poured water over it and found a napkin in the cup holder to cover it. "Just a scrape?"
"I would tell you. I don't want to be one of those things," she answered softly.
Travis smiled at her so sadly and said, "I know. But you're scaring me."
Weakly, she took hold of his wrist and forced a smile onto her lips. "I'm sure it’s nothing. Just something I ate."
Then she passed out onto his lap.
Dimly, she was aware of being carried. She heard Nerit and Ralph's voices. Another voice-the policeman, she thought-was also talking.
"I'm afraid," Travis said at some point.
They put her into a very cold bath, someone's hands keeping her head above water. She tried to talk, but felt too weak.
"She wasn't bit. That's not a bite," Ralph's voice said firmly.
"But there was zombie blood and guts all over that truck," Travis said and she heard a catch in his voice. "What if..."
Katie's head swam and her body felt so hot.
"Katie," a voice insisted.
She opened her eyes to see Lydia kneeling next to the tub, her gaze very concerned.
"Lydia," she whispered.
"It'll be okay. I'm here. I'll be with you," Lydia said softly, reassuring her, kissing her brow and holding her up in the cold bath.
Katie smiled at her feverishly. "Then it's all going to be okay." She sank back down into unconsciousness.
Travis knelt beside the tub, holding her up, tears in his eyes.
Chapter 11
1. Other Voices
Juan sat in a chair in the Mayor's office, slumped down, hands folded on his flat stomach, twiddling his thumbs, and seriously considering going and smacking Jenni a few times. Yeah, she was hot. Way hotter than the blond chick, but she had been a fucking annoyance ever since Travis and the blond had rode into the sunset together.
It had only gotten worse when Jenni heard that Katie was very sick and Travis was worried the zombie blood and guts on the trucks lining the perimeter had contaminated her. Jenni had become downright hysterical at that news.
"I have to go to her! I have to! I'm her best friend, don't you see! We're sisters now!"
Juan had to pry Jenni's fingers off the Mayor's shirt and had helped Jason carry her out of the communication center so that they could actually hear what Travis was saying over the CB. Jenni had fallen apart completely as soon as they laid her down on her cot. As far as he knew, she was still there with her son watching over her.
He studied his thumb for a moment. He had accidentally chopped the tip off on another construction site years ago. Every once and awhile it would start throbbing. He often looked at its mutilated nail and gnarled skin when he was nervous. He was a nail biter by nature, and that deformed, bizarre half nail called to him.
Just as he stuck the tip of his finger in his mouth, he was delivered a deft smack across the back of his head.
"Don't do that. You look like a baby." His mother, Rosario, Rosie for short, stood in the doorway next to him. She was a very tiny woman with dark gray hair and very pale amber eyes. They were very sad eyes, the eyes of a woman who had lost her husband just recently to cancer.
"Sorry, Mom."
"Where's the Mayor? I have that list for him."
"Not sure. He told me to wait here."
Rosie sighed and held the clipboard tightly to her chest. Juan had lived in the small town all his life. Well, except for the two years he had lived in Houston with his "big, black, beautiful" wife, Candace. But that marriage had failed when he had moved back home to be with his dad in his final years of life. Candace couldn't take the small town living and he couldn't blame her. They parted friends and he still talked to her every other day.
Candace...where was she? Was she okay?
He took off his cowboy hat and ran a hand over his hair to smooth it. It was long and curly and the heat had it frizzing terribly. He shoved the hat back on and frowned.
"I have the list of all the people in the fort just like the Mayor asked," Rosie said and sat down next to him.
"Let me see." He took the clipboard and read over the names. Since he both worked on the site and was from the town, he k
new just about everyone on the list. Forty-two names, including Travis and Katie, who technically weren't in the fort anymore. Fifteen construction workers, five city workers, That left twenty civilians, mostly family members of local construction workers or the city workers. Well, excluding Chuck the truck driver and Jenni and Jason. And the dog.
He liked the dog.
"It's sad we don't have more people here," he sighed and handed it back.
"Well, the way I see it, people went to where they thought it was safe and where they could stay with their families. My family was here, so I came here."
Juan smiled at his mom and leaned over and kissed her cheek. She gave him a pat on the back of his hand.
"We're a diverse group," Rosie said after a moment. "Statistically, it came out just like the town population. Sixty percent under the age of sixty-two, forty percent over sixty-two. Forty percent white, forty percent Hispanic, twenty-five percent black and five percent other."
"What the hell is other anyway?" Juan snorted with a smirk.
"Raymond Gutierrez is actually Navajo Indian." Rosie gave him a wide smile. "Now, where do we put the dog? Do we add him as other, because he is another species or as white, since he's German." She sighed slightly. "Though the demographic between men and women is really off. Women only make up thirty percent of those here."
"Guess I won't be dating any time soon," he said with a grin.
"It's just sad that we were so ill prepared. The city can only plan for things that seem plausible." She waved a hand. "Zombies have never been a part of city planning."
"You were city secretary way too long, Mom," Juan decided. Her head was always full of facts and figures on the town population. "This isn't your fault. No one could have planned for this."
The present city secretary strolled in just then. Peggy was her name and Juan liked her. She was a late in life mother and her small six-year-old pressed against one leg as she moved. He couldn't blame the kid for clinging to his mom. Lord knows he had wanted to cling to Rosie a few times.
Behind Peggy came Tobias, the city manager, and a tall black man in his late fifties. The Mayor, real name Manny Reyes, filed in last. He looked tired and worn around the edges. He moved over to his desk and sat down. All his Spanish blood made him fair and very "gringo", but he loved Tequila as much as Juan did. But whereas Juan knew what the hell was up, the Mayor did not. Manny was way too centered on being logical and finding exact answers. Juan knew that what was going on was not that easy to fit into a neat little box Manny could understand.
As The World Dies: The First Days-A Zombie Trilogy Page 15