by C. Dulaney
After several minutes, the login screen came up and I logged on. I held my breath and crossed my fingers that the internet was still up and running. In my neck of the woods, you had the choice of either dial up or satellite. I had suffered with dial up for a few years before finally saying to hell with it and getting satellite internet. Much to my relief the welcome screen popped right up, followed by my buddy list. No one online. But I did have an e-mail.
A huge smile broke across my face when I saw it was from Ben. I read through it quickly, grabbed the pack of Camels I kept in the desk drawer, and read it again. Three cigarettes and a dozen re-reads later, I sat back and began to fidget. They had to leave the farm. Had to run. Ben had given very detailed instructions on the route they were taking, as well as details on back-up routes in case the primary went to shit.
I stood and went over to one of the many bookcases that lined the walls of that room and scanned the shelves. I grabbed the road atlas and flipped to Pennsylvania. After tossing it on the desk, I crossed the room and picked up the old heavy CB radio I had rescued from one of my late grandfather’s yard sales. I cleared a spot on the corner of the desk for it and ran the cord under and over to the outlet. I muttered another prayer and turned it on. Victory, I thought and pumped my fists in the air.
Ben said they would keep their radios on channel seven. So I twisted dials, turned some knobs, not really knowing what I was doing. Whatever I did worked. The noise faded and the crackling snow stopped. I turned it to channel seven and waited. For what, I don’t know. I was pretty sure they weren’t close enough yet for these to work. I also didn’t want to try calling for him, in case someone else out there was monitoring the same frequency, someone who might not be as friendly.
Instead I read over the e-mail again and marked their route on the map with a pink highlighter. I used a blue one to mark all the alternate routes. It looked like their main route would take them past only two cities, Altoona and Johnstown. There were smaller towns scattered along as well, but they wouldn’t be actually passing through any of them. I used a red marker and circled the area around Altoona and Johnstown. If they had any problems, it would be there. This route would take them directly in between the two cities. I noticed one of the alternates would have them backtrack and make a very wide loop around the east of Altoona, where they would then move southwest towards me and be fairly free of any other towns. It would take longer, but was clearly the safer choice.
I e-mailed Ben and gave him my opinions and suggestions concerning this. I told him to stay safe, stay alert, and try calling me on the radio when they were about a hundred miles out. I promised to stay online, but couldn’t promise I would be in the vicinity to answer him since I only had a desk top and not a laptop. But I assured him I would check it periodically either for him, or an e-mail. I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and I was getting very anxious, so I ended the message with something I had never written, let alone said, before. At least to him. Hell, I rarely said it to my family, let alone my friends. But considering the zombie apocalypse was upon us, I figured I should start letting those I cared for know how I felt. I didn’t before, and now they were most likely dead. We always say, “I don’t have to say it, they know.” That’s horseshit, only I was learning that lesson a little too late in the game.
I read over it, content I’d said all I needed to, and clicked send. I blew out a breath and lit another Camel as I went back to studying the map. I wanted to memorize it, learn it by heart, commit it to memory. In the back of my mind I was terrified they wouldn’t make it. And terrified I would have to go after them.
* * *
After a quick supper of Spaghetti-O’s and iced tea, I let Gus out one last time to do his business before heading to my room for a shower. I stood under the hot water for at least an hour, my head lowered and my palms against the tiled wall. It’s also easier to cry in the shower, seeing as how your face is already wet. The monotony of the last few days was taking a toll, and thoughts of my family and the very few close friends I had haunted me. I tried to push it all out of my mind and think about that afternoon: the cool breeze on my face, the clean smell of the air, and the crunch of grass underneath my horse’s hooves. That worked until I thought about Ben, then the panic began to set in. I needed to talk to him.
I stepped out of the shower, dried off, threw my bathrobe on, and hurried downstairs. The house was dark and silent, the only light being the blue glow of the computer screen filtering down the hallway. I made a pit stop in the kitchen for a Dr. Pepper before heading into the study. I nearly dropped the bottle and fell over the chair when I saw he was online.
Ben? I typed, the instant message box popping up with his buddy icon above and mine below the post space.
Is this Kasey? the person I had thought was Ben replied.
Yes this is Kasey. Who is this?
It’s Kyra, one of Jake’s classmates. Ben put me in charge of watching for you. Hold on and I’ll get him.
I raised an eyebrow and sat back with my arms crossed. “Hmph,” I grunted, “this is an interesting development.”
Hey Kase, you have no idea how happy I am to see you, Ben finally typed. I almost forgot to reply; I was too busy trying not to burst into tears.
I think I have some idea. Are you okay?
So far so good. We’ve stopped for the night at the southeastern edge of the Allegheny National Forest. We’re going to try to get some sleep before getting back on the road.
Did you get my e-mail?
Ben hesitated. I almost asked him again before he finally replied.
Yes I did. I talked it over with Jake and Nancy. They still think we should stick to the plan. But they did promise, at the first sign of trouble, we would turn around and go the other way.
I sighed and hung my head. I didn’t like the sounds of this, but I wasn’t the one in charge there. I would have to trust Nancy and Jake to lead them for now.
Ok. My radio is working btw. I want you to keep me updated every few hours, even if I’m not online. Send an e-mail if you have to. I’m starting to go a little crazy here. Maybe it’s from having nothing else to do, maybe it’s from needing to see you. I’m not sure.
Ben hesitated again before posting. I was beginning to wish I could take back what I’d said in that e-mail.
Don’t worry Kase, we’ll watch each other’s backs. And I’ll be there before you know it. I need to go now, we’re taking turns keeping watch tonight, and I’m up next. Oh and btw, I luv u 2.
He signed off before I could reply. I sat in the dark, the light from the screen reflecting off my face, and cried again. But I was starting to feel a little better, so I called it a day and went to bed.
Chapter Eight
October 4th: Ben’s side
Startling, panicked shouts jerked Ben from sleep. His eyes flew open and he immediately noticed it was still dark. He sat up in the truck seat and looked out the windshield, then nearly jumped out of his skin when a gunshot sounded next to his head. Jake was standing by Ben’s door and yelling at someone, firing his rifle over and over. Before he had a chance to make sense of what was happening, the passenger door opened and Kyra threw herself inside.
“Start the truck, we have to go now!” She was breathless and flushed like someone who had just finished the 100-yard dash. Ben whipped his head around, trying to determine everyone’s location. He could see muzzle flashes in the darkness, but couldn’t tell who was firing. He didn’t have to ask what was happening; it was pretty obvious. They had been ambushed, but by how many he probably didn’t want to know.
He rolled his window down and screamed at Jake. “Get in the Jeep! Let’s get out of here!”
Jake turned and nodded, then started shouting for the others to run. Ben still couldn’t see anyone, but he assumed Nancy was in the Jeep. One turn of the ignition and the old pickup roared to life. He inhaled sharply after hitting the headlights: the undead lumbered towards them on both sides of the road. They had pulled o
ver before dark and slept in the vehicles, one person keeping watch at all times. He saw Zack come running from his far right and jump into the Jeep. The lights came on and Jake sped off.
“Where the hell is Mike?!” Ben cried, his head whipping around trying to spot him.
“I don’t know, I thought he was right behind me!” Kyra cried as she started to open the passenger door. Ben grabbed her arm and yanked her back just as Mike ran into the door. He jerked it open and fell in.
“Go, go, go!” he screamed. Ben hit the gas. The first of the zombies had just made their way onto the pavement. He steered the truck around them, sticking to the center in order to avoid hitting any. Not because he didn’t want to; he wanted nothing more than to plow them down. But he was afraid of damaging the truck. That was one thing they couldn’t afford right now. The taillights of the Jeep grew closer as he caught up with Jake, so he let up on the accelerator.
“You’re going to get us all killed one of these days. You know that right?!” Ben said as he glared first at Mike then back to the road ahead. He was quickly losing patience with the guy, who repeatedly put them all in harm’s way with his stupidity. Mike was panting hard and his hand tightly gripped the door handle. His other hand was pressed to his upper thigh, his fingers curling and uncurling. Kyra looked back and forth between the two men, frightened and angry as well.
“Well?” Ben asked. He was leaned up in the seat now, his face close to the steering wheel to stare at the other man. Mike glanced over, barely locking eyes, before lowering them and staring at his lap.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. Ben sighed and leaned back. He grabbed the CB’s mic and called for Jake.
“Everyone okay up there?” he asked.
“Yeah, we’re good. How ‘bout you?” Zack answered. Ben took another deep breath before answering.
“Yeah… we’re good,” he said as he glanced back at Mike. “I guess this means we won’t be stopping to sleep again.”
“It would probably be a bad idea, yeah. It’s too dark out here in the country, and not enough light to see them coming. And besides, the sound of the engines probably drew them in. We stop, it’s only a matter of time before they come,” Zack answered. He was calm, eerily calm. But Ben was learning that was just how Zack was. It was safe to say he trusted him a great deal more than he trusted Mike, especially at the moment.
“We have enough people, we should just keep driving straight through. When the driver gets tired, we’ll switch. Everyone will take turns. How’s that sound?” Ben asked. He had to wait a few moments before anyone answered; probably discussing it with Nancy and getting her opinion on it.
“Sounds like a plan, dude. You and I will drive for a couple hours, then we’ll pull over and switch. How’s that?” It was Jake who answered, and he sounded pissed. More than usual.
“Fine with me,” Ben answered. He replaced the mic on its hanger and leaned back in the seat. The adrenaline that had rushed through him was starting to ebb, and the seriousness of what had happened started to sink in. “That was close,” he whispered. Kyra patted his arm.
“Yeah, it was,” she said. She stole a quick look at Mike, who was still sitting rigid and straight with his head lowered. “You okay?” she asked. When Mike didn’t answer right away, she elbowed him. He turned his head slightly, and Kyra gasped when she saw his face, pale and blank, and his eyes were glazed. She grabbed his arm and turned him to face her. When she did, his hand pulled away from his thigh.
“Oh my God,” she whispered. His jeans were torn and blood-soaked. She could see the wound; it was a deep gash across the top of his thigh, the flaps of skin peeled back were clearly visible. She watched as a trickle of blood poured out of the cut, down his pant leg, and onto the seat. She slowly raised her eyes and stared at Mike in horror, her mouth hanging open.
“What is it?” Ben asked. He was only faintly aware Kyra had spoken; he was concentrating on the road and staying alert for any zombies. When she didn’t answer, he glanced over and saw she was turned towards Mike, who was sitting very still.
“Mike? Can you hear me?” Kyra asked him. Her voice was laced with panic and rose an octave. She grabbed his shoulder and shook him, which only produced a grimace and a groan. He squeezed his eyes shut and slid his hand back over the wound.
“Oh Jesus,” she whined. She leaned away from him and pressed her back against Ben.
“What’s going on? Kyra?” Ben asked again. Kyra was scooting away from Mike and shoving against Ben’s shoulder, and he had to brace his elbow and forearm against her back to keep her from pinning him to the door.
“Hey I’m trying to drive, move over,” Ben said. Kyra eased up enough for him to lean up and see what was wrong with Mike. “Holy shit, is that blood?!” Ben asked. The shock caused him to whip the wheel and swerve the truck towards the ditch. Kyra screamed and hit the dashboard with both hands as Ben counter-steered and almost overcorrected. They were both out of breath with panic by the time he got straightened up and behind Jake again.
“He’s hurt and he’s bleeding pretty badly,” Kyra said.
“Mike, how did that happen?” Ben asked. Mike didn’t answer. “Hey Mike, how did you get hurt!?” he shouted, again with no result. “Shit,” he hissed and picked up the mic.
“Jake, we have a problem back here. We need to pull over. Find a good spot,” he said firmly. He didn’t want the gnawing fear that had taken hold to seep into his voice and scare the others. Besides, Mike could have just run into something in his haste to get back to the truck. Sure, it could have happened.
“Uh…ok?” Jake said just before he slowed to a stop, dead-center of the road. Ben grunted but stopped right behind him, easing his bumper close to the Jeep’s. He leaned close to Kyra and whispered into her ear.
“C’mon, slide out my side.” He opened his door and held it until Kyra was out, then shut it quietly behind her. They ran to Jake’s window and Ben motioned for him to roll it down. All eyes inside the Jeep were on him; Zack leaned forward with one arm resting on the dash and Nancy scooted up between the front seats.
“We’re in deep shit, Jake,” Ben said as he held his friend’s gaze. Jake studied his face a moment before answering.
“What’d he do?” he asked. It was more a statement than a question. Jake had been waiting for Mike to finally make a fatal mistake. He had also been hoping it wouldn’t result in anyone’s death other than Mike’s own. Ben just shook his head.
“I don’t know what he did, or what happened. He’s hurt, that’s for sure. But he won’t talk. Or can’t, I really don’t know. What do we do? If it was…well if it was, we can’t keep him with us.” Ben’s voice dropped at the last part, allowing the gravity of what he was saying to sink in with everyone. None of them spoke, and none of them disagreed. They were all thinking the same thing, but he had expected some resistance to the idea of leaving someone behind. Definitely some resistance to outright killing one of them.
“I’ll take a look at his injuries,” Nancy said. She slid over to the passenger door and got out next to Kyra.
“Shit,” Jake sighed and looked over at Zack. He nodded once, hopped out, and grabbed the shotgun from between the seats. Jake slid out and eased his door shut. He stood with Ben for a moment, both men gauging each other, searching for any sign of doubt in the other.
“Alright, let’s do this,” Jake sighed again and clapped his friend on the shoulder. Nancy was already to the truck’s passenger side and ready to open the door when Jake and Ben turned towards the pickup.
“Wait!” they cried at the same time, causing not only Nancy, but Zack and Kyra also, to jump and scramble away from the vehicle. Jake pointed towards Mike as he stomped to the driver’s door.
“Zack, hold that barrel on him and if he makes a move at Grandma, blow his fuckin’ head off,” he said as he jerked the door open and pulled his pistol. Jake held his aim on Mike and watched as Zack simply nodded and his grandmother cautiously opened the passenger’s door. Zac
k moved into position and raised the shotgun. Nancy studied the injured boy’s face, then his bloodied pants.
“Mike, honey, can you hear me?” she asked. She leaned in closer, her hand slowly moving towards Mike’s wound as her eyes remained on his face. Mike turned his eyes to her and grimaced as though he were on the verge of tears.
“I’m sorry…” he whispered back, and they all knew. Nancy smiled and patted his cheek, told him everything would be fine. She stared across the seat at Jake and nodded curtly, then glanced at Kyra.
“Get my bag from the back,” she said calmly. Kyra jogged to the Jeep and climbed in the back seat. She reached over and sorted through luggage until she found Nancy’s first aid kit. She hurried back and moved around Jake, leaning over with the bag in her outstretched hand. Mike leaned his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes. Nancy took her kit and moved his hand away to pull back the torn edges of his jeans. Ben had his back to them, keeping watch with his hand on the butt of his handgun. Nancy pulled a few things out; a bottle of peroxide, a roll of gauze, and some medical tape, then tossed the bag on the dash.
“This might hurt a little,” she said softly, her sharp eyes never leaving Mike’s face. She twisted off the cap and poured the peroxide over the bleeding gash. Mike moaned and twisted away from her. She pushed him back with her free hand and tried to comfort him.
“I know, I know. But I have to do this. Almost done,” she smiled. Mike was breathing harder now, and tears streamed down his cheeks. She poured a little more peroxide over the wound and watched as the blood ran from red to brown. After replacing the cap and tucking the bottle back in her bag, she took the gauze and gently started bandaging his thigh, starting at his wound and rolling it around his leg.