by Flacco, Jack
“You’re wrong.” Ranger said, filling his mug with coffee.
Randy stopped turning the fish for a moment, then picked up from where he left off.
“She did make a difference. She saved Jon from one of those chewers back in Las Vegas. She reconciled with Matty after their fight. She did make a difference. She taught a grudge ain’t worth keepin’. It ain’t no better than the eaters consumin’ your insides.”
The words fell on Randy like a sandbag to the head. He wondered if it was time to forgive Matty for not wanting to take the relationship any further than it was. He continued turning the fish making sure it didn’t burn from the shooting flames.
“I want to stay here, Ranger.” Jon said. He picked up a cup and drank the water he had collected from the stream. He enjoyed it so much that he licked his lips. “It’s quiet here and I like the sound of the birds, the stream, the look of the mountain and how the trees bring in fresh air. Can we stay?”
“I don’t think Ranger wants to stay here.” Silver said, tossing a broken stick in the fire. “I think Ranger has a plan and we’re about to find out what it is.”
“All I want is to be safe and not worry about ever having to fight chewers again.” Ranger said. “I’m playin’ it as we go.”
“You didn’t know about that compound back there, did you?”
“There was something in the way on the map, but no, I didn’t know about the compound.”
The aroma of the fish with its spices filled everyone’s nostrils and it made them salivate for a piece of the wonderful meal. Randy took the hint and pulled the pole from the spit. He stood the pole upright so that the fish was looking up, then he began to cut pieces from it. Once he finished loading one plate, he passed it along until Silver received it. One by one everyone received a plate.
* * *
Combing Abigail’s hair calmed Matty. The lapping of the water on the shore and the smell of the clean air contrasted the awful stench that had soaked her nose the evening before. She enjoyed the view of the sun cresting over the mountain, warming her face with its rays. She didn’t want it to end.
A twig broke behind her, but she wasn’t concerned. Ranger would have killed anything that would have come close to the camp. No matter what it was, she continued brushing Abigail’s hair, feeling the breeze caress her face.
“I thought you two might like to have some of the fish I made for breakfast.” Randy said, holding the plates in both hands.
“Oh,” Matty said, “Sure.”
Handing her one of the plates, Randy passed Abigail the other.
“You’re free to join us.” Matty scrunched over making room on the rock for Randy.
“Thanks. I’d like that.”
Abigail saw the way Matty looked at Randy and thought it best to do something else. “I’m going to see what Jon’s up to.”
When Abigail left, Randy took his place next to Matty. His mind swam with what Ranger said earlier. He didn’t think he was holding a grudge, but he wanted to make it clear with her, nonetheless.
“Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Matty said, then tore a piece of the fish and tucked it in her mouth.
“Yeah, it’s not raining. Thank God.”
Matty chewed and gulped and a smile hit her face. She said, “Look at us. We’re talking about the weather.”
The sound of the stream removed the tension in Randy’s muscles. For the first time in days, he could breath. The talk of the weather lifted his shoulders. He wouldn’t have thought such a mundane subject could do that to him. Yet, due to previous conversations he’d had with Matty, how they were less than superficial, it struck him funny.
“Aren’t you eating anything?” Matty asked.
“I’d eaten earlier while I was plating the dish. You can go ahead, you need the energy.”
“I wonder what’s going through Ranger’s mind right about now.”
“I don’t know. He must feel the weight of all of us on his shoulders. I don’t blame him. Wherever we go, those chewers are there. Nowhere we stay is safe. Our only chance is Paradise. If it’s all that Ranger said it would be then I’m good with following along. And if I have to lose my life for any one of your sakes, I’ll be more than happy to. As long as you’re safe.”
Matty stopped chewing and took the words to mean he’d give his life for her. She placed the plate on the rock and licked her fingers clean. The breeze dried her hands without her worrying of wiping them anywhere. After several seconds, she turned to Randy, then said, “You came into my life and gave me—”
“Look,” he interrupted, “I really don’t think it’s a good idea to talk—”
“Listen to me, Randy.”
He glanced over his shoulder to see the boys and Abigail watching them. The spectators quickly turned to each other, seemingly laughing and carrying on around the fire.
“You came into my life and gave me hope. I don’t ever regret that. Now I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking I’m nuts, that I’ve somehow lost it and want nothing to do with you. But you have to understand. You’re not like a brother to me. You’re not even like a friend to me.” She paused for effect, hoping the next few words make sense to him. “Oh God, why am I being such a girl about this, and saying these things to you? You’re like part of me. I know me. Sometimes I scare myself. Whatever happened back at the hotel, can we forget about it? I want to start over. Clean. Fresh. Nothing on the board. Maybe I was too hard on you. Maybe I needed to back away in order to understand what I’m missing in my life. All I know is without you I’m unhappy. I need you, Randy. Do you understand that? I need you.”
Once again, Randy glanced over his shoulder and saw everyone staring at them wondering what Randy would do next.
“Say something.”
He rubbed the bottom of his lip in thought and gazed at her. Randy said, “I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here. But you’ve got to do something for me.”
“What’s that?”
“You’ve got to stop saying you need me. It makes you sound desperate.” He said then smiled.
Everyone around the fire burst into laughter.
Matty shook her head and knew without a hint that Randy wasn’t holding anything against her.
* * *
An hour later that morning, Ranger, Jon and Abigail were walking along the path that ran parallel to the stream’s edge. The others in the meantime were having fun in the water, splashing and carrying on behind them. As Ranger strolled with his boots clicking on the rocks, wearing his green-stained jeans, flannel-checkered shirt, leather jacket and baseball cap, the kids looked up to him as a greater-than-life hero. Short of being taller than they were, his tough face made him seem angry all the time. Jon knew better though. He knew Ranger’s steely eyes, square jaw and gruff nature was nothing more than a shell on the outside. Jon knew the inside of the man and knew he was a gentle man with nothing on his mind other than to help others even if it would cost him his life.
They came upon a waterfall where trees and the brush held a shade. Chipmunks scooted across the grass into the bushes where a small trail led deeper into the woods. The water from the majestic falls crashed gently on the rocks below. Ranger and the kids stopped in their tracks taking in the sight. They soon forgot about the chipmunks.
Abigail ran toward the edge of the falls, then lent her hand to the cascading water and enjoyed the pitter-patter on her skin. There was something calming, she thought, of a place that featured shade, water and trees.
Jon peered at Ranger’s face and noticed the smile. He asked, “What are we doing here?”
“We’re leaving soon and I want to make sure everyone is happy before we leave.”
“Everyone is happy, Ranger. I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
“I’m figurin’ that. We had a rough couple of days and I don’t know what we have waitin’ for us in the city. For all I know, it could be the worst decision of our lives. Or it could be the best. There ain’t no way of tell
in’”
“Are you thinking Paradise isn’t what you think it may be?”
“I don’t know what to think anymore. All I want is peace without havin’ to worry about chewers ever again.”
Jon scratched his head. “I thought you liked chewers. I mean, I thought you like bashing their brains in with the butt of your shotgun.”
“I’m tired. Let’s go.”
“Wait, Ranger. Can you tell me something?” Jon grabbed the zombie killer’s sleeve.
“What is it?”
“That night we met you back at Peggy’s gas station. Do you remember that?”
“How can I forget? Matty wasn’t in the best of moods.”
“Right. The back of your pickup had gas canisters in there, much like what we’re carrying now.”
“Okay. So?”
“Well, would I be wrong if I thought you were going to blow something up again?”
Ranger gazed at Abigail playing with the water. He exchanged glances with Jon then said, “You’re startin’ to sound like your sister. I’ve been carryin’ all this gas for our trip.”
“You’ve got a lot leftover once we get there.”
The kid is smart, Ranger thought. So he said, “Just enough for the trip.”
Jon didn’t say anything. He knew Ranger was up to something, but he didn’t know what. Maybe the whole Paradise trip was nothing more than a front for something Ranger was planning all along. He didn’t know. Whatever it was, Ranger wasn’t about to tell anyone anything. The whole idea bothered Jon. What could he do?
“C’mon, Abigail.” Ranger called with his hands cupped around his mouth. “We’re leaving now.”
When Jon ran along ahead to tell everyone they were leaving, Abigail returned. As she and Ranger were walking along the shore, Abigail said, “Thank you for looking after me when my mother died last night.”
Ranger stopped. “You’re not upset with me?”
She stopped, too, and faced him. “Why should I be upset?”
“I blame myself for her dyin’. Hadn’t I—”
“Listen, Ranger. None of it was your fault last night. We had those stupid torches lit all around that perimeter. Even if you hadn’t come along, we still would have fallen under attacked. We were asking for it. My mother knew and the residents didn’t care. They thought the fences they had built would’ve been strong enough to hold anything. You saved us all. I’m sad about my mother, but I knew it would have happened to one of us. Don’t feel bad about any of it, okay? I’m fine. Let’s move on.”
* * *
The pickup left Yosemite National Park and headed west on a desolate road to San Francisco. Neither Ranger nor any of the kids had a clue as to what they would find when they arrived. All they knew from Ranger was what he had told them. The place was safe and there wouldn’t be the threat of zombies. They liked that idea. Jon couldn’t sit still thinking about it. He sat with Ranger in the front along with Abigail in the passenger seat, while Matty, Randy and Silver sat on the pickup’s bed as they leaned against the gas canisters, littered on the floor of the truck. Jon played the kid part very well asking Ranger if they were there yet—something he hadn’t done for a long time. Of course, Ranger answered the same way as always. Not yet.
In the back of the pickup, Randy couldn’t stop looking at Matty. He played the part of the cat that had swallowed the mouse very well. He couldn’t get enough of her. Matty returned his attention with a partial smile, not making it obvious she liked it. In the meantime, Silver’s gaze went back and forth between them as he sat in the middle with his back on the cab.
“I liked it better when you weren’t talking to her, Randy.” Silver said with the most serious face he could muster.
Realizing how goofy he must have looked, Randy wiped the smile from his face, then asked, “How’s your foot?”
“It’s better. Don’t try changing the subject. Are you two together or what?”
Matty turned crimson. “No! We’re not together.”
“We have an understanding.” Randy said.
“What?” Silver asked. “That you’re going to drive each other crazy while making those goofy faces until everyone around you vomits?”
“C’mon, Silver, it isn’t that bad.”
“I saw you carrying her gun before we left this morning.” Silver said then smirked. “The gun weighs—what? less than a pound? You don’t think Matty can carry her own gun?”
“I was trying to be helpful.”
“You were being a lap dog.”
“I think it was sweet of him.” Matty said, batting her eyes.
“Oh, God. When is this ride going to end?” Silver dropped his head in his hands.
Just as Silver said that, Ranger pulled the truck to the side of the road squealing the brakes to a stop. He shifted the pickup to park and shut the engine. No one knew why he stopped.
Ranger opened the door to his cab and jumped to the ground, tightening his cap around his head and slipping his shotgun in its holster. Jon and Abigail followed, but Ranger placed his hands on both their shoulders and told them to get back in the truck. While Ranger walked away, they traded glances and followed Ranger anyway a few steps behind him.
The others peered over the cab and noticed him not slowing his pace to the top of the hill. He was up to something and they, too, wanted to find out what it was.
Climbing the bank, veering far from the road, Ranger pushed through the bushes that lined the top of the hill. He kept the noise to a minimum and his head low. He separated the bushes at the top to reveal a view of the San Francisco Bay area. Having carried his binoculars around his neck from the glove compartment, he looked through them, adjusting the focus as he panned the area near the waters. By that time, Jon and Abigail appeared next to him and wanted to know what he was looking at. After a few words of “get back in the truck” and “we want to help,” Ranger relented. He studied the shoreline matching the area with notes on the map. He saw warehouses, factories and houses, but he couldn’t find what he was looking for. Silver, Randy and Matty, appeared too, and by that time, Ranger didn’t care. He continued scanning the area.
It wasn’t until he spotted a solider in full military garb that he knew he was in the right place. He followed the soldier and sure enough, he saw more of them until one became many. They all stood inside a walled area. Ranger examined the wall and followed it from side to side. He then examined the bottom of the outside wall.
“Oh, damn.” He said.
“What is it?” Matty asked.
Ranger rolled on his back and closed his eyes. His binoculars fell on his chest.
Matty scampered to Ranger and pulled the binoculars to her face. She shifted her sights to where she thought Ranger had been looking. She was almost on top of him, trying to get a good view.
“Oh, shit.” Matty said.
Below, near the walls of the fortress city, a horde of hundreds roamed about with little else to do than screech their hunger to the top of the walls.
If anything was true, Ranger and the kids had a fight ahead of them.
Chapter 18
Several minutes passed before Ranger would say anything. For now, he leaned against the pickup driver’s side door as the kids stood in a semicircle watching him.
“We’ve got to talk, Ranger.” Matty said.
Ranger ignored her, finding the dust on his boots more interesting.
“Why can’t we go back to that place where we were this morning? It’s quiet. We had plenty of water. Lots of food. I don’t get why you’re bent on making Paradise our home.”
He let her talk without interruption. He wasn’t expecting a crowd of eaters to surround the place. They didn’t have enough ammo. They didn’t have enough people to take on a thousand zombies. He couldn’t see how it would be possible for them to consider getting near the place without the chewers ripping them to pieces. He allowed all the doubts to wash over him and he pulled his cap over his eyes not wanting their comments to affect his
mood.
“Ranger?” Jon tugged at his hero’s sleeve. “Are we going to be okay?”
“Yeah, we’ll be okay.” Ranger finally answered.
“With a few thousand chewers at the doorstep of one of the biggest fortresses I’ve ever seen,” Silver said, and stepped into the semicircle. “We have a lot of work to do if we want to get in there.”
“Just hold on a second.” Randy said, “Matty’s right. Why can’t we go back to that place by the stream and live out the rest of our days there?”
“If we did that.” Ranger raised his head and pushed his cap away from his dark gaze, “We’d never be safe. We’d always have to run. And y’all know it. No matter where we go, eaters will be there ready to take a bite. That hotel in Las Vegas was the closest thing we had for callin’ home. It had runnin’ water, electricity and plenty of food. And if we got bored, we could have always hopped over to another hotel.”
“Why didn’t we stay there, then?” Matty asked.
Ranger smiled. He thought she ought to have been bright enough to figure it all out on her own. “Because no matter where we go, and as safe as we thought that place was, we always would have to look over our shoulder. We’d never be safe until we had walls and other people lookin’ after ‘em.”
Abigail finally spoke her turn. “My mother heard of this place. Sergeant Baskins, the deserting military officer who helped mom and me escape Temple City, talked about it, but we never really knew what it was all about until he said it was a neutral zone. The military had no control over it, and neither did the survivors. It wasn’t from the government, nor was it from the people. Paradise is the place to be if we need to be safe. The people there are open to ideas and are unwilling to let one group rule.”
“What about all those military personnel?” Silver asked.
“Former military personnel. Most of them became deserters after seeing what their leaders wanted to do with the survivors. They banded together, spoke about building a new city away from the government and rebuild society again.”
“Wait.” Matty said. “What about government? How did they know where to go?”