Dead Reckoning_HZA, Vol. 3

by Marty Brockschmidt

  “Thomas Higgins, how long do you plan on letting that poor woman hang out there?” Sue chastised her husband.

  Tom considered the woman who had been watching their campsite from a distance the past couple of days. The previous night she had worked up the courage to move to a tree about twenty five yards from their camp and watched them from its branches. It's not like they haven't taken in strangers before, hell they've picked up about every stray that's come their way.

  Which is exactly why this was such a hard decision. For nearly a year they've made their way across this wasteland of the dead, hoping to find someplace safe to call home. Along the way, Tom has added to his band, as often as not the new additions were children. Occasionally they have had run ins with people who reveled in the darkness of this world. Every time, someone new was added the stakes to keep everyone safe and alive were raised.

  Tom took in a breath, exhaled slowly and smiled at his wife. “We're packing up later this morning. I guess I can't put it off any longer.”

  Tom picked up a bowl of food. Hap was experienced at living off the land and he kept them stocked with food, but Tom had learned not to ask to many questions about what they were eating. Picking at the mixture in the bowl, Tom wandered nonchalantly towards the tree and finished his breakfast in the shade of the tree.

  The sound of a stomach growling caused Tom to chuckle softly. “You know if you're that hungry, we have plenty to share.”

  “I'm fine, thank you.” The woman answered, indignant at being laughed at.

  Tom looked up, her face was obscured by the leaves and branches, but he caught a glimpse of red hair. “Suit yourself there Red, but we are pulling up stakes in the next few hours and you have spent the last two days checking us out.”

  A sprinkling of pine needles and twigs caused Tom to look up and appreciates the woman's shapely posterior as she climbed on down. As she got close Tom offered a hand, which the woman ignored. When she got to the ground Tom got a chance to take her in.

  She was definitely dressed for the road. Worn hiking boots, jeans, jacket, belted with a holster, complete with pistol and knife. On her back was a backpack and a sniper rifle. Her hair was a lovely shade of red and appeared to have recently been crudely shorn back. She was tall for a woman, maybe five foot nine. Her face, though absent of cosmetics and somewhat sunburned, was beautiful. Her most striking feature, was her green eyes, that couldn't hide a deep sadness.

  Tom reached out a hand. “Tom Higgins.”

  The woman stood there silent, hands clenched to her sides, forcing Tom to continue. “And you are?”

  The woman chewed her lip as she thought about her response. “Red, will do.”

  Tom smiled good naturedly. “Come along Red, lets get you some breakfast and introduce you to the gang.”

  As soon as they were close enough Sue closed the gap. “Hello dear, I’m Sue. My husband here thought you wanted some time to get to know us in your own way. I’m sorry you had to spend the night up in that tree.”

  To save her the trouble Tom intervened. “Everyone this is Red. Sheila would you get her something to eat?”

  Sheila already had a bowl put together and handed it to Red. “Come, sit yourself down Dear.”

  Red took a seat at their small table. Set the bowl down on the table, took the rifle off her shoulder leaned it against her thigh and slipped her pack off, but kept it between her feet. Tasting the concoction in the bowl. “It’s good.” Red said quietly before wolfing down the remainder.

  “Pete looks like you have a satisfied customer. Do you think you can scrape up a bit more?” Sheila suggested.

  Pete returned shortly with a refill and a glass. “It is sort of a tea that Hap finds the herbs for. I hope you like it and we have food left, if you’re still hungry.”

  Sheila sat down across from Red. “Tom thought it best we didn’t bombard you all at once. Though we don’t get to see new faces often. At least not living ones. I’ll be the welcoming committee and point out the rest of our group. You’ve already met Tom and Sue. Their son Jimmy is the taller of the two boys taking down the tents. The other boy is Jackson and he is Jeff, the one with the glasses and Miri’s son. Miri is the woman helping Sue. Tom and Jeff were long time friends and the two families happened to be together when this all started.”

  Red nodded. “If it’s not to much bother I’ll take you up on that offer of another helping. I’ve been scrimping on meals lately.”

  Sheila picked up her introductions as Pete refilled Red’s bowl and glass. “That’s alright dear, Hap keeps us well stocked. The two on watch are Tim, he’s spent some time in the marines and Tracey. When this broke out Tom and Jeff took their families to hide out in the Okefenokee and that is where they met up with Tim, Hap and Pete and I.”

  Red shook her head declining more food, but allowed Pete to get her some more tea. Miri came and joined Sheila and Red. “How’s it going?” Miri asked.

  “Well we know Red’s got a healthy appetite. I’ve about finished pointing out our crew.” Sheila answered. “Let’s see who have I left out. We ran into a rough crowd where we were camped and had to leave all of a sudden. That is when we came across Tracey. Her’s is a long, sad story, but she’s been a blessing to us. We came across Lizzie as we headed north.”

  Suddenly a little blonde head popped up under Sheila’s arm. Smiling broadly, the young girl extended her hand to Red. “Pleased to meet you.” Lizzie said in her best big girl voice.

  Red briefly shook the little girls hand, but her face remained without expression. Sheila gently scolded the child. “Lizzie we talked about this, we’re giving Red a chance to get to know us gradually. Now I know you have chores.”

  Lizzie playfully pouted. “Geez. All I wanted to do was say hello.”

  Sheila remained stern. “Lizzie.”

  “Yes ma’am chores.” Lizzie replied.

  “That one doesn’t have a shy bone in her body, unlike our last two, Arianna and Mitchell. We came across them as we were preparing to winter over, in the mountains east of here.” Sheila finished.

  Miri called out. “Jackson, how much water is left in solar shower?”

  “About half.” Jackson answered.

  “Don’t take it down quite yet.” Miri instructed.

  “Red it’s not much, but it is a warm shower. Do you have any clean clothes to change into?” Miri asked.

  Red shook her head, feeling a bit overwhelmed, by all of this and wondering if they would be quite so friendly if they knew all she’d been through and all she had done.

  Miri called out again. “Tracey. Would you get Red something to change into and a towel.” Miri turned to Red. “I hope I’m not being to pushy, it’s just a tiny bit of civilization. Take a little time for yourself and let us worry about the rest.”

  Red picked up her pack and her rifle and went over to where Tracey was waiting for her. Tracey opened the flap that gave access to the small changing area next to the tarp walls of the makeshift shower stall. “There’s a laundry bag in there you’re welcome to use. Just pull the string to let the water out. Feel free to use up the water. Take your time, I’ll make sure nobody bothers you.”

  While Red was bathing Tom came to check in with Sheila. “What do you think?”

  Sheila went through the observations she made as she had described the group to Red. “I think she’s been on her own for a while, she’s a survivor to be sure. There’s a sadness emanating from her, that she’s not ready to talk about. I don’t get any sense that she poses a threat. Whether she can integrate with our group, only time will tell.”

  Tom nodded. “Have you asked her to join us?”

  Sheila shook her head. “I think it best that we don’t give her that choice. She shouldn’t be alone any longer.”

  Tom patted Sheila’s shoulder. “Your call.”

  Red came out of the shower, wearing the borrowed clothes and pushing hers back into her pack. She walked back to Sheila and Miri, combing at her hair with her
fingers. “I don’t have a brush. Funny I haven’t missed it before this.”

  “Sheila runs the best salon in these parts. What do you say, we let her finish the trim, that got started there?” Miri suggested.

  Red ran her fingers through her shortened hair. “It had to be cut back in a hurry. You all are being so nice to me. You don’t even know me, or what I’ve done.”

  “This world belongs to the dead now. The only way we have a chance, is if we band together. You’ve survived in this shit, excuse my French, for nearly a year, there is a vast number, that cannot claim that accomplishment.” Sheila responded.

  Red hung her head. Sheila’s face mirrored Red’s sadness. “Oh my Dear. You just lost someone close, I am so sorry, I should have realized.”

  Red shook her head and waved back Sheila’s apologies. “You couldn’t know. It’s not something I allow myself to think about.”

  Sheila flashed a smile, amazed that this suffering woman, was concerned about her feelings. “I understand.”

  “If you can spare the time, I’ll take you up on that haircut.” Red responded, hoping to move away from the uncomfortable memories rising in her mind.

  “We have the time. We never find enough gas, to travel far.” Sheila brightened and called out. “Lizzie, go fetch my comb and scissors.”

  Miri reached for Red’s pack. “Here, let me help with your stuff.”

  Red jerked it back from Miri’s grasp and then reconsidered, holding the pack out to her. “I’m sorry. They are just things, but it’s all I have left.”

  Miri took the bag and looked Red straight in the eye. “Not anymore.”

  Lizzie came at a run, with Sheila’s kit. “Here you go ma’am. My chores are done can I stay? Please?”

  “As long as you can behave yourself.” Sheila answered.

  Lizzie plopped herself in the seat directly across from Red, placed her elbows on the table and rested her chin on the heels of her hands. Sheila wrapped a towel around Red’s shoulders and began combing out her hair. “It’s a lovely shade of red.”

  As Sheila began clipping away, Red was brought back to the night that Andy had cut off her ponytail to free her from the grasp of a dead one. Everytime Sheila made a cut, the events of that night played over and over again in Red’s mind. All she could do is grip the arms of her chair tightly, close her eyes and grit her teeth.

  “There... all done.” Sheila announced.

  Lizzie beamed a smile at Red. “You look pretty Miss Red.”

  “Alright you, gather up Mitch and Arianna and get yourselves settled into the van.” Sheila told Lizzie.

  As the little girl took off Miri filled in Red on their travel plans. “We don’t have a specific destination in mind. We want to get far enough north, hoping the colder winter will have an effect on the zeds. We’re headed to the Chattahoochee and travel through that into Tennessee. We figure we got enough gas to get to Baxter. It’s tiny, barely on a map, the kind of place we like to use for a base. There are a few bigger towns nearby, hopefully good salvage and we can get enough gas and supplies so we can focus on a place to make home.”

  “I was headed to the national forest too, when I came upon you. Before leaving with you, I need you to know I’ve done things, I’ve...I’ve killed.” Red told the two women.

  “Honey I don’t see you as the wanton killer type.” Miri responded unshaken, by Red’s disclosure.

  “The last group I was with was set upon by a herd of dead ones. Our leader was being eaten alive, I ended his pain. The image of his head exploding is burned into my brain.” Red began.

  Sheila placed a hand over Red’s. “Child that is mercy, not murder.”

  Red shrugged her shoulders, in her heart she understood the distinction, in her mind a friend lost his life to her hand. “A few days back, I saw a couple of Inferno thugs preparing to execute some men. I just got so angry, I took up my rifle and stopped them. I didn’t know what those men did to cause the Inferno to attack them. From what little I know of the Inferno, it doesn’t take much.”

  Miri’s face clouded. “Fuck, we had hoped we had left the Inferno far behind south of here. You’ll get no recriminations from us. What they had done to Tracey, months of abuse and brutality at their hands. A bullet is to kind for that lot.”

  “Red, the fact you’ve burdened yourself, proves you’re good people. You can ride with Pete and I in the van, if you don’t mind riding with the three amigos.” Sheila said. Red just nodded. Even though she felt a bit better after her confession, it had taken a lot out of her.

  “Come on kids...time to go.” Pete called out. Lizzie, Arianna and Mitchell came running, taking their places in the van. Pete watched, as Red emptied the chamber of her rifle, putting the unused round in a magazine stored in one of the many pouches of her jacket. After checking the round was clean and undamaged, she put the magazine back in it’s pouch and got in the van. Pete was fascinated at how swiftly Red did this. She treated the rifle almost as if it were another appendage. Tim with his military training, had a similar relationship with his weapons. Pete could not see this pretty young woman in military service, but she has definitely been on the front lines of this. Pete checked the trailer, that was hauled behind the van, making sure it was secure, before giving the ready signal to the other drivers. The caravan pulled onto the road, on their way to the next destination.

  “I like your jacket.” Lizzie commented. Red looked down at her jacket, the one Bess and Gideon made her. The rifle and the jacket, could have been dark reminders for Red, of the group she lost. Instead, she chose to look at them as a legacy of her time, with good people, she considered herself lucky to know.

  “Well thanks, some friends made it for me.” Red replied. “Every pouch has a use.” Lizzie was intrigued. “My spare pistol magazines go in these pouches and my rifle magazines in these ones…” Red showed Lizzie the extra magazines she carried. “...and I have my fishing line here.” Red pulled out her line and hooks.

  “What about that pocket?” Lizzie pointed to the right upper pocket.

  “That is the most important one. I have flint and steel to make a fire. If I can’t get those to work I also have a butane lighter and matches.” Red showed the young girl.

  “Ma’am will you teach me how you make a fire?” Lizzie asked.

  “Only if you call me Red.”

  Lizzie stuck out her hand. “Deal. Happy’s been trying to show me how to set snares, but I can’t figure out how he knows where to put them.” Red smiled as she shook the girl’s small hand.

  “Well Hap has been at it his whole life, your lucky to have someone like him to learn from.” Red hoped that made sense to the young girl. It was pretty obvious how much Lizzie adored Hap and he her.

  “I never showed this to no one ma’am ..I mean Red.” Lizzie slipped her hand into her boot, pulling out a small blade, from its sheath strapped to her ankle. Red looked over at Mitchell and Arianna, who were both asleep, before checking out the weapon.

  Red inspected the knife appreciatively, before she handed it back to Lizzie. “I see you take good care of it.” Lizzie nodded as she slipped the blade back into its sheath.

  “It was my dads.” Lizzie became melancholy. “He told me to always carry it with me.” Red understood Lizzie’s feelings, hell she carried Andy’s gun with her everywhere and not just because of the protection it provided.

  “This gun here…” Red pulled Andy’s gun from her holster. “...was my brother’s gun, he gave it to me for the same reason your dad gave you the knife.”

  “So you’d be safe?” Lizzie asked.

  “Yes, so I’d be safe.” Red holstered the gun, the memories of her brother so clear in her mind.

  “We can watch out for each other.” Lizzie said hopefully. “Now you have people to watch out for you, you’re not alone anymore.”

  Red smiled at the young girl. It was amazing how Lizzie would act all grown up one minute and like a little girl the next. “I’d like that.”
<
br />   Pete turned his head over his shoulder. “So where you from Red, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “I’m from Atlanta and I don’t mind you asking at all.” Red answered.

  “We’re glad to have you with us.” Red was relieved, Pete didn’t go any further with the questions, she wasn’t ready for that just yet.

  “Thanks… It’s good to hear the sound of voices again….I thought I could go it alone, I was wrong.”

  Tom’s voice came over the walkie. “There’s a gas station up ahead, let's stop and take a look.”

  “Everyone stays in their vehicles.” Tim commanded. Pete pulled in behind Tom. “Keep the engines running, till further notice.” Tim and Tracey slowly got out of their car, Hap staying behind the wheel. There were three cars by the pumps, covered in a years worth of dust and leaves, one still had the gas nozzle in its tank.