Gen Z Boxed Set

by Baileigh Higgins

  “I don’t know, but we’d better get moving fast, or we’re all zombie chow,” Sanchez replied, dropping three more infected with swift precision. They’d taken up their positions at the back of their vehicle facing in the direction they’d come. From down the road, a massive crowd of zombies was sprinting their way, desperate for food.

  Julia marveled at Sanchez’ marksmanship before looking over her shoulder. “How’s that wheel coming along, Alvarez?”

  Their tire had popped when they hit a shard of metal, leaving them stranded in the middle of the road. It wouldn’t have been an issue if they weren’t being chased by a horde of infected.

  Alvarez’ grunt was followed by a muffled reply, lost beneath the barrage of noise.

  “What?” Julia shouted.

  His disgruntled face popped into view for a brief second, smeared with oil. “Two minutes, that’s all I need. Two minutes.”

  Julia aimed at a runner, squeezed the trigger and swore when she missed. “We don’t have two more minutes.”

  “Make it happen, okay?” he shouted back. “Just make it happen.”

  Julia closed her eyes for a brief second as she tried to think of a plan. Two minutes. That was all Alvarez needed. An idea jumped to mind, and she slung her rifle across her back and reached into the back of the cab for a canvas bag. “Hold them off, Sanchez.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain,” Sanchez said with a lopsided grin, as cool as a cucumber even under extreme duress.

  Julia shook her head as she ran straight toward the oncoming horde. Nothing ever seemed to bother Sanchez. Nothing. “If I get out of this alive, I swear, I’ll find out what that woman is scared of. We all have fears, even if it’s just one, and she’s no exception.”

  With that vow made, Julia reached the back of an abandoned school bus and clambered onto the roof. She reached into her bag and pulled out a flare. Moving fast, she removed the end and ignited the flare by striking it against the rough part of the cap.

  It burst to life, shooting molten bits of material into the wind. One smoldering piece landed on her exposed forearm. She yelped as it burned into her skin and dropped the flare. It rolled toward the edge of the roof, and she scrambled after it in a mad dash before it got lost. Her fingers closed around it just as it tumbled off into the air. “Gotcha!”

  Julia lifted the flare high into the air and screamed at the oncoming horde. “Over here, you rotters. Come and get me!”

  Drawn by the light and her screams, their attention shifted to the bus. They flowed around it like water breaking around a rock. The roof she stood on shook beneath her feet as they clamored for her flesh, their gaping mouths eager to dig in.

  Julia cursed as she tried to steady herself on the rocking surface, hoping she hadn’t made the worst mistake of her life. She tossed the flare into their midst and lit another. “Stay with me. Stay.”

  The zombies obeyed, focusing on her with single-minded intensity. This granted Alvarez and Sanchez a brief reprieve, but Julia’s position was worsening fast. Two of the undead had clambered onto the nose of the bus and were crawling towards her onto the roof. She threw the second flare at them, and the front zombie’s hair caught alight. It went up in a ball of flame that burned brightly against the sky.

  Grabbing the rifle from her back, Julia took aim and shot the first zombie between the eyes. The second followed soon after, dropping to the ground to disappear into the throng. More were climbing up, however, following in their brethren’s footsteps. “A little help over here, please!”

  Sanchez responded by taking out two more infected, and seconds later, Alvarez was racing toward the back carrying the jack and tire iron he’d used to change the burst wheel. He tossed the stuff into the back and slammed the door shut. “Get in, Sanchez. Hurry!”

  Sanchez ran toward the passenger side while Alvarez took the driver seat. He paused and shouted a quick command. “Get ready, Julia. You’ll have to jump.”

  “Got it,” Julia replied, getting ready to make her escape.

  A few of the zombies that surrounded her had noticed Alvarez and Sanchez. In a steady trickle, they began moving toward them. Julia wasn’t too worried, however. Their double-cab truck was more than capable of handling a few zombies with its fat tires, reinforced grill, and high clearance.

  Alvarez ignited the engine with a roar and slammed it into reverse. The truck bounced toward her across the uneven ground, smashing into several zombies along the way. They crunched beneath its wheels in a nauseating display of gore, and blood spattered the tar. It stopped several feet away from the bus, unable to get any closer due to a car wreck wedged between it and the bus.

  Julia eyed the gap with trepidation, her heart banging in her throat. Beneath her feet, the undead rasped their hunger through decaying throats. Behind her, more were crawling onto the hood of the bus, drawing closer by the second.

  I’d better not fall. If I do… Julia couldn’t finish the thought.

  “Come on! You can make it,” Sanchez screamed with half her body hanging out of her open window. She quickly ducked back inside when several infected lunged for her, but it was enough to get Julia moving.

  She took a few steps back, ran forward, and launched herself across the gap. For a breathless second, she thought she wouldn’t make it, dangling in the air like a delicious titbit for the undead horde to feast on. She landed on the edge of the truck’s roof, her left leg dangling below.

  Julia screamed when a zombie grabbed her foot and pulled. She scrabbled at the smooth metal looking for something to hold on to while her other foot kicked out into thin air. Panic set in as she slid lower…and lower.

  One inch.

  Two inches.

  Three.

  Suddenly, her free leg connected with something solid, and she managed to launch herself upward with a strong kick. The fingers clutching her boot fell away, and she was free as Alvarez drove off, putting distance between them and the horde.

  A few miles further, he pulled over, and she climbed into the backseat with a grunt of relief. “Man, that was close.”

  “Too close,” Alvarez agreed.

  “Yeah, this whole trip has been nothing but a disaster. It’s been a week, and we’re nowhere near Washington,” Julia said, reaching for a bottle of water and disinfectant.

  “Cheer up,” Sanchez said. “It could be worse.”

  “How? First, the truck broke down, then we had to take a huge detour because of the blocked highway, and now the tire burst. What more could go wrong?” Julia asked.

  “Easy. We could be dead already,” Sanchez said with a perfectly straight face.

  Julia sighed. “I know, but I’m worried about all the people in the safe zone. The barricade won’t last forever, and neither will their food.”

  “Have faith, chica. Everything will be fine,” Sanchez said.

  “I hope you’re right, Sanchez,” Julia said as she lay back in her seat, thinking of Chas and her friends. “I really hope so.”

  Chapter 3

  When they got back to the base, Chas climbed out of the truck with supreme reluctance. Not even the guns she’d found would be enough to mollify Lieutenant Stokes, and she knew it. Dean and Vanessa threw her sympathetic looks before running off, leaving her to face the music alone.

  “Some friends they are,” she muttered, though she couldn’t blame them. She’d do the same if she were in their shoes. Lieutenant Stokes was a force to be reckoned with, her grandfather’s right-hand man, and in overall command of both the supply runs and their fighting forces.

  Dragging her feet, she walked over to the waiting Stokes, and his expression was every bit as thunderous as she’d imagined it would be. “I’m glad to see you decided to grace us with your presence, Chasity.”

  “It’s Chas,” she replied, hating the sound of her full name on his lips. “And I almost didn’t make it, thanks to you.”

  He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You put the entire mission at risk when you decided to go off on
your own. You can be grateful I didn’t leave your butt behind to become zombie chow.”

  Chas bristled and opened her mouth, but Vanessa’s stern warnings jumped to mind, and she closed her lips again. Instead, she stared at her boots, focusing on the bits of mud that clung to the worn toes.

  Lieutenant Stokes sighed. “Chas, I don’t want to be the bad guy here. God knows, I respect your grandfather too much for that. He knows how to handle a large group of people, how to ration and stockpile, plan and defend. It’s the only reason I defer to his authority and why I don’t pull rank on him as an enlisted officer.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry,” Chas mumbled.

  “Are you?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Look, I know you’ve been through a lot. More than most kids your age could be expected to go through.”

  “But, that’s just it. I’m not a kid anymore. I’ve killed zombies, defended the safe zone from them, escaped from the same safe zone while it was surrounded by them, made it all the way here, warned Grumps, and I’m still here. We did that. My friends and I.”

  “I realize that, and you’re right. You’re not kids anymore. But you’re not adults, either, and like it or not, you still have a lot to learn. That’s where I come in.”

  “But why?” Chas burst out. “I can look after myself.”

  “Everybody needs someone, Chasity.”

  “It’s Chas.”

  “You have to understand, this is not just about you. I have to consider the safety and welfare of everyone, not just one stubborn teen who thinks she knows better.”

  Chas bit on her lower lip. Stokes was right. She knew it. So was Vanessa. But, she couldn’t help feeling the way she did. Ignored, marginalized…tolerated. “I’m sorry, Sir. It won’t happen again.”

  Stokes stared at her for a few seconds before his face hardened. “Sorry isn’t good enough. You need to learn discipline. Five laps around the park, a hundred sit-ups, and no supper.”

  Her head jerked up, and she stared at him. “What? You’re kidding. I said, I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head. “If only I believed you.”

  Lieutenant Stokes turned his back and walked away, leaving Chas alone in the gathering dusk. A rumble ran across the heavens, and a cool breeze stirred the leaves on the branches. It was about to rain. “Great. Now I’m going to get wet too.”

  With a hanging head, she made her way to the enclosed park where the inhabitants of the base got their exercise. It was placed across from the church where Grumps originally settled his followers. After securing the neighboring buildings and barricading the streets, he’d expanded the base to include almost the entire block including the park.

  Ever since they’d arrived, it had been a mad rush to secure more weapons, ammunition, food, and medical supplies. While she, Vanessa, and Dean often went out on supply runs, Emily spent most of her time in the infirmary learning to treat patients. Chas had a good idea she’d become a doctor or scientist one day.

  As for Vanessa and Dean, their relationship was growing stronger by the day, and they’d both settled into Lieutenant Stokes’ command with relative ease. That left Chas, feeling more and more like an outsider. Without really acknowledging it, she was growing more resentful by the day. I’m the outsider now. The one who doesn’t fit anywhere.

  They just didn’t get it. She’d done so much, and come so far, why should she listen to some trumped up soldier just because he was older than her? Older didn’t always mean wiser.

  “Well, let’s get this over with,” Chas grumbled as she pushed her aching muscles into a jog. She was still sore from her run earlier, and her leg burned where the coyote had chomped her. “Thanks a lot, Lieutenant Stokes.”

  Chapter 4

  Chas ignored the guards posted on the walls as she jogged. They’d witnessed the encounter with Stokes and were no doubt laughing their heads off at her humiliating defeat. Instead, she focused on putting one foot ahead of the other until she caught her second wind. She’d done three laps when she was joined by a familiar face.

  Anke.

  The girl had recovered well from her injuries in the car crash, a sprained wrist, bruised ribs, and six stitches to close a gash on her head. They’d become friends since then, and often trained together. At least, she doesn’t ignore me like the rest do.

  Anke settled in beside her, and together they ran the final two laps. It started raining half-way through, and the soft drizzle soaked them both to the skin. After Chas did the required sit-ups, they sought shelter beneath a tree.

  “How’s it going?” Anke asked.

  Chas shrugged. “So, so.”

  “Want an apple?” Anke said, producing the fruit from her pocket. “I heard about your punishment. No supper, huh?”

  Chas accepted the apple with a grateful smile. “You know Stokes.”

  “He’s a tough one,” Anke agreed.

  A few minutes passed in silence while Chas ate the fruit, musing that neither Vanessa nor Emily was here to support her. She tossed the apple core away. “Thanks, that was kind of you.”

  “What are friends for?”

  “We are friends, aren’t we?” Chas mused. “Even though we barely know each other.”

  “The apocalypse makes for strange bedfellows,” Anke agreed. “Especially, when you have no one else.”

  “I never asked before, but what happened to you?” Chas asked.

  Anke shrugged. “My parents got sick after going to a friend’s barbeque. The tainted meat, you know?”

  Chas nodded.

  “They started acting real weird. The strangest moment for me was when my dad grabbed raw steak that my mom had defrosted for supper and ate it.” Anke shuddered. “He looked like a monster with the blood dribbling down his chin.”

  “That must have been awful for you,” Chas said.

  “Yeah, but the worst was when my mom attacked my brother. She took a chunk out of his arm. I shoved her away and ran with him to my room, locking us in.”

  “What happened then?”

  “We sat there for a day. By that time, my brother was also sick. Then the soldiers arrived, and you know what they did to infected.”

  Chas didn’t have to ask. She knew. She’d seen it happen when the soldiers killed Andrew’s infected parents and him by mistake. “Even your brother? They killed him?”

  “He’s gone.” Anke looked away. “I swore to protect him, Chas, and I failed. When he was born, I was so proud to be a big sister, and now he’s gone. They’re all gone.”

  “I’m sorry,” Chas said, feeling the inadequacy of her words. She still had her family. Grumps, Lala, Vivienne. They were all still alive.

  “It’s okay. I ran away from the soldiers that day and survived on my own until I found you.” Anke smiled. “At least, I’ve got you now.”

  “Of course, you do. Friends,” Chas said.

  “Friends,” Anke echoed.

  A rumble of thunder passed overhead, and the rain fell harder, pattering on the ground until it drowned out all other sounds.

  “I guess we should go in,” Chas said with a shiver. “We’ll get sick if we don’t dry off.”

  It was the kind of thing her grandmother would say, and suddenly, she missed Lala more than ever. I wish she were here with me, safe and sound. All of them. Mom, Vanessa’s foster mom…everyone.

  “Do you feel like going on an adventure?” Anke asked out of the blue.

  “Huh?” Chas stared at her like she’d grown a second head.

  “Yeah, an adventure.” Anke nodded her head eagerly. “Something fun.”

  “What do you mean exactly?” Chas asked with caution, trying to ignore the frisson of excitement that unfurled in her belly.

  “I thought we could check out the safe zone,” Anke said.

  “We?”

  “Yeah, you and me. We make a good team. Besides, you’re the only one I know of that can hotwire a car.”

  “I nearly got us killed last time. I was lucky I
got that car going at all,” Chas protested.

  “So? You did it, didn’t you? This time there won’t be any zombies chasing us,” Anke replied.

  “When?”

  “Tonight, when everyone’s gone to bed. They don’t watch the vehicles,” Anke said. “Plus, I know a way out. I’ve already arranged it. We won’t get caught.”

  “You want to sneak out in the middle of the night, steal a car, and visit the safe zone? Just like that?” Chas asked with disbelief. “You’re crazy.”

  “Why?” Anke asked. “Don’t you want to know if you’re family is safe?”

  “We can’t get in. The zombies⁠—”

  “Yes, I know about the zombies, but we can at least make sure they haven’t broken through the barrier.”

  “But, we know they haven’t. We’d have heard if they had, so why go on this…this adventure of yours?” Chas said.

  Anke shrugged. “I’m bored, and it could be fun.”

  “Fun? You’d go to all that risk for fun?” Chas said, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, but I’m out.”

  “Please, Chas. Just think about it. Maybe we see something the adults missed. Something that can save the people in the safe zone. I mean, it’s not so safe anymore, is it?”

  “No, but Grumps and the others are working on a plan,” Chas said.

  “Are they? Really?”

  “What are you saying? That they’d abandon those people?” Chas said with growing anger. “My grandfather would never do that. Never!”

  “That’s not what I meant. I just think they’re waiting for Alvarez and his party to return with help, but what if they don’t? Or what if they’re too late? It’s been a week already.”

  Chas stared at Anke, a million things running through her mind. Many of the things Anke had said, she’d thought of already. What if Alvarez and Julia didn’t make it back on time. Or at all. Did Grumps have a plan B? “I’m sure my grandfather and Stokes will think of something.”