~~~
It took James a total of five minutes to pack because he’d been prepared for this day since they’d gotten there. Looking at his duffle, he noticed the folded picture Olive had drawn him sitting near the top. He unfolded it and looked at it. They’d come so far since then and yet they still had a long way to go. He slipped the drawing into his back pocket and closed up his duffle, loading his gear into Scourge.
During that first week of the apocalypse, he’d worn his tactical vest and then his plate carrier almost non-stop. By the time they arrived in Coutts, he’d mostly grown used to it, but during their time there, he’d only worn it on runs. That had made him soft, and when he stepped out into the mid-morning sun at ninety-some degrees, he almost felt like dying.
A couple of Marines brought them some rations of MREs, a few ammunition cans, a big medical kit, a couple of tents, and some cots. They had some supplies in Scourge already, but only enough for a few days. With these, they’d be set for a week, maybe two if they rationed and didn’t run into too much trouble—which they would. It was inevitable at this point, but until then he’d enjoy every moment and face head-on whatever trials came their way.
Connor and Tank finished packing up around the same time James did and they stood there, looking back at the old store they’d been staying in.
“I’m gonna pick up Chloe and then swing by the saloon to see if Durt’s willin’ to part with some whiskey,” Tank said, climbing into Scourge.
“I’ll join you,” Connor said.
James shut the door to their place and then jumped into the back seat. “Can you drop me off at the orphanage?” he asked.
“Sure thing,” Tank said as he pulled out.
A minute later, James hopped out and walked towards the front door as Tank drove off. He stopped outside, preparing himself for what was ahead. It would be hard—really hard—but he knew it was the right decision.
~~~
Alexis packed up what few belongings she had with a light step. Call her crazy, but she was glad to be leaving this place. She was under no delusions that it would be easy going forward. It would certainly be harder than anything they’d faced so far, yet she knew they’d face it together. Her dad, James, Chloe and the rest were a large, dysfunctional family now. As long as they had each other, they could get through anything, so it was with optimism that she packed up all of her things and loaded them into a duffle.
Taking the duffle out to her dad’s truck, she threw it in the bed. Laying on the tailgate was a plate carrier vest already loaded with magazines and an M4 rifle with a Trijicon scope and attachments. She picked up the rifle and checked it quickly, refreshing herself with the setup. Taking the plate carrier—which was heavy—and the rifle, she set them on the front seat. She was wearing the same gun belt she’d worn since she’d been there. Pulling out the Glock, she looked at it. This was the same one Ana had given her the night she’d rescued them from the Reclaimers.
Alexis had been avoiding thinking about Ana over the past couple of weeks. It was easier that way. She regretted the way she’d acted toward her friend. In the moment, she’d felt hurt and betrayed, but after spending many nights thinking about it and talking with her dad and James, she realized that Ana had done what she’d had to. Alexis didn’t ever think she’d be able to do it, not like that anyway, but she couldn’t fault Ana for it. Maybe Ana would find them somehow. She could only hope.
“You ready?” Emmett asked as he brought his own duffle out of the house and threw it into the bed of the truck.
“Yep,” Alexis said.
Her dad shut the tailgate and walked over to her. Gazing down into her eyes, he smiled. “I’m proud of you, honey. You did what you had to in the infirmary, and now we have answers. I just want you to know that you’ve grown into such an amazing woman, and I love you.”
By the end, his voice broke a little and a single tear leaked down his cheek.
“I love you too, Dad.”
She embraced him and he held her like he always did. The contact with her father bolstered her strength and gave her courage for what lay ahead. As long as they had each other, the whole world could be falling apart around them and she wouldn’t care. They were a family, and nothing would change that.
~~~
Connor sat in the truck while Tank went in to help Chloe pack. She was taking it the hardest. In her mind, this had actually become her home, whereas for Connor this was just another stop. He wasn’t thrilled about at how they were leaving, but he was excited to finally make some progress again. They’d been stagnant for too long.
This next leg of their journey would be the hardest. The Reclaimers would be dogging them every step of the way. They’d have to be on their guard—and stay on their guard—the entire time since they didn’t know when or how they’d strike. But they would strike. Whether it was when they first set out that day or the following days, Jezz would return to finish the job. Maybe flushing them out had been what the attack was about the night before. It was a risky move that might not have worked, but after the bomb and then the attack, they hadn’t left the colonel with many choices. Either the leaders of Coutts would have to hunt down the Reclaimers and kill them all or cut the ones they were hunting loose. Connor would’ve chosen to hunt them down, but the colonel had taken the other option. Did that make him a coward? Maybe, or perhaps he knew something they didn’t. Either way, the choice had been made and they’d have to roll with it.
~~~
Tank grabbed a shirt and handed it to Chloe. She had to go through every single piece of clothing she owned, which was a lot considering she’d had nothing when they’d gotten there two weeks ago.
“Where the hell did you get all this?” Tank asked, tossing her a pair of blue jeans.
“I bought some, and people gave me some,” Chloe said. “It’s not like I could wear the same outfit every day like I did out there.”
“Well, you could. You just didn’t want to.”
“Yeah.”
She held up two tops, looking from one to the other. They looked identical to him, but she seemed to find some small defect in the one because she tossed it aside. Immediately, she regretted her choice and picked it up again, comparing them a second time. Tank sat next to her, taking both shirts and setting them down. Grabbing each of her small hands in his, he looked into her eyes.
“Stallin’ won’t change the outcome,” Tank said. “We’re leavin’.”
“I know,” Chloe said, tearing up. “I was just starting to think of this as home. I felt like maybe I could pretend things were normal.”
She broke down and the tears flowed freely. Tank took her in his arms and she grasped him desperately, crying onto his shoulder. He held her, stroking her hair as she let it all out.
“It’s okay,” he said, when her sobs began to subside. “I won’t let anythin’ happen to you. Once we get to Alaska and out to the lodge, things’ll begin to take on a new ‘normal,’ I promise.”
Chloe pulled away slightly, looking up at him with glistening eyes. “You promise?”
“Yes, I promise,” Tank said, wiping some of the tears from her cheek. “You and I are together now and I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
~~~
James walked through the doors of the school and was immediately greeted by Olive standing next to one of the tables with a packed bag beside her. Neil walked by, loading a suitcase into the van they’d stolen from the mine.
“She’s determined to join us,” Neil said as he walked by. “Good luck.”
Taking a deep breath, he approached Olive. She noticed him and set her jaw. It almost made him laugh out loud.
“Look,” Olive said, as he came to a stop before her, “I know it’s not safe out there, but Neil has been teaching us how to survive. And it’s not any safer in here. What if more bad people attack? Or what if someone gets bit and comes into the orphanage? Or—”
“Olive,” James said, trying his
best to hide his smile.
“No, you listen to me, James,” Olive said, and a tear started to slip down her cheek. “Everyone I have is gone. All I have left is you. Please don’t leave me.”
More tears followed the first, and it broke his heart. He bent down and picked her up, wrapping his arms around her.
“I wouldn’t ever leave you,” James said, holding the little girl in his arms. “I was trying to tell you that I’d like you to come with us, if you want to.”
“Really?” she asked through the tears.
“Of course. You’re allowed to make your own choices. Just know it’ll be a lot harder out there, and we might not make it.”
“That’s okay. Jesus has our backs.” She wiped the tears from her eyes and James set her down. “Let me go say goodbye to Squeezer and my friends.”
“Sounds good,” James said, smiling as she ran off.
Helen looked out the door of her classroom after Olive and then turned her gaze to him as she walked over. Now for the hard part.
“You can’t expect me to allow you to take a child back out there,” Helen said in a stern voice. “Even if she wants to go, she’s just a little girl.”
“I know, and that’s why I have this,” James said. He pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. She unfolded it and began to read. That thing had been in his pocket for a week, and he’d just been waiting for the right time to use it. Now was that time.
“You can’t be serious,” Helen said. “This isn’t a legally binding document.”
“No it’s not, but it’s as official as it can be. It’s the end of the damn world, Helen, and I don’t need an official document. That right there works just fine for me. It states my intentions and has my signature, along with Cpt. Miller’s.”
“James, you don’t know the first thing about raising a child,” she said, but her voice had softened somewhat. “And that’s not even considering the state of the world out there.”
“No, I don’t, but I do know that I love that little girl and I’ll do everything in my power to protect her and care for her. That’s all I need to know. Now, if you’re going to try and stop me then go ahead, but when she returns, I’m leaving here with her, one way or another.”
“I’m not going to stop you. I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing. This may condemn her to a death that could’ve been prevented.”
“I’ll give her the choice one more time, but it’s ultimately her decision to make.”
Helen nodded. “I won’t stop her if she wants to leave.”
James let out a sigh. He hadn’t been sure that was going to work, but he’d been determined. Olive returned a few minutes later, carrying her backpack. Then she looked back at Mrs. Olger’s classroom.
“I forgot something in my desk,” Olive said, running inside. After a minute or so, she returned. “Will you take care of Squeezer, Mrs. Olger?”
“Yes, honey I will,” Helen said. “Mr. Andderson had something to ask you.”
Olive looked at James and suddenly he was nervous. What if she changed her mind?
“Olive, I need you to be sure you want to come with us,” James said. “It’ll be hard, and it may result in all our deaths.”
“I already told you,” Olive said, “I’m not afraid. I want to go.”
“Good, then I have another question for you. I’d like to adopt you. It’s not official or anything, but for all practical purposes, it will be. Olive, do you want to be my daughter?”
39
Always
on the Run
James opened the door to Scourge, letting Olive and Felix climb into the third row of seats while he threw their bags in the back. He then climbed into the back seat. Felix had come out shortly after Olive with his bag packed. He was determined to go as well, and Helen could do nothing to dissuade him. So now they were both coming along.
“We good?” Tank asked.
“Yep,” James said.
“You’re bringing them?” Connor asked quietly.
“They wanted to come,” James said. “I told you my plan.”
“I know, but still.”
“Tank, Connor, Chloe” James said, raising his voice. “I’d like to introduce you to my daughter, Olivia!”
Olive rolled her eyes. “Hi, guys,” she said. “It’s just me.”
“Nice to meet you, Olive,” Chloe said.
“Hi,” Olive said.
“We only met briefly,” Tank said. “I’m Tank.”
“Hi, Tank,” Olive said.
“And of course you know Sir Felix,” James said.
“Just Felix, Mr. Andderson,” Felix said.
“Hi,” Chloe said.
“Hey, Felix,” Tank said, pulling away from the orphanage.
They headed to the parking lot beside HQ where they were going to meet the rest of their group. James was legitimately excited to be back on the road soon. Pulling up beside Emmett’s truck, James climbed out.
“You ready?” Emmett asked.
“Yes, sir,” James said, coming up to his window. “We have all our gear and people.”
“Same here, enough for at least a week. Just waiting on the others.”
“How did they do after their escape from the Reclaimers?” James asked.
“A lot better. They really stepped up, especially the ones who’re joining us. Greg, Lucas, and Neil have taken to it well.”
“Good.”
“You still gonna take charge?” Emmett asked.
“I was hoping you’d do that.”
Emmett nodded. “You’ve grown a lot. You sure?”
“Yes, sir,” James said. “I think you can do a lot better.”
“You did a damn good job before, but yes, I’ll take charge from here.”
“Thanks.”
Alexis walked out of the HQ building and up to him.
“You ready for this?” he asked.
“Oh, yeah,” Alexis said, smiling. “I have my family with me.”
“That you do.”
“Anyone need to use the bathroom?” Alexis asked.
“Me,” Olive said, climbing out.
“Have you met my daughter?” James said as Olive walked up.
“James,” Olive said, giggling.
“This is Olive, my daughter,” James said.
“What do you mean? You adopted her?” Alexis asked.
“Yep, it’s as official as anything is these days,” James said.
“I would say I’m shocked, but I could see it coming,” Alexis said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before leading Olive back inside.
Felix climbed out a moment later. “Might as well go too, I guess,” he said.
“Very true,” James said, following him inside.
When they came back out, the rest of their group had arrived. Greg was driving the truck they’d taken from the mine on the last leg of their trip. Lucas and Troy were riding with him, and there were a few supplies stacked in the back seat. Neil and Beverly drove the van they’d also taken from the mine, and the rest of the supplies were packed in the back. Connor was going around putting a small CB radio into each of their rigs, sticking the magnetic antenna on their roofs.
“Everyone set?” Emmett asked.
“Yep,” Greg said.
“Good to go,” Neil said.
“Good. The Wolf Pack will be taking the lead in the LAPV. Greg, you go next, and then Neil. I’ll bring up the rear. We stay tight and we keep a sharp eye out. The Reclaimers are out there somewhere and we need to be ready for them. The CB radios are set to channel seven. Keep ‘em there and always on when we’re driving. Take these as backups. There’s enough for everyone to have one,” Emmett said, handing them each a small radio and headset. “Keep in touch. If you see anything, report it. We can’t be too careful.”
“Will do,” Neil said.
“Got it,” Greg said, grabbing three sets of
radios.
James walked over and climbed into Scourge, noticing the head mechanic, Tom, talking with Tank on the other side of the rig.
“Remember what I told you, son,” Tom said.
“I will,” Tank said, shaking the man’s hand.
“Safe travels,” Tom said, moving away from the rig as Tank climbed in.
“We ready?” Emmett said once everyone had loaded up.
“Yes, sir,” James called from the hatch on the roof of Scourge.
“Time to roll out,” Emmett said.
James slapped the roof and Tank started off, taking the lead. He watched behind him as Greg followed in his truck, then Neil in the van, and finally, Emmett. He waved at Alexis in the truck, and he could see her smile and wave back. That might not have been very smooth, but who cared if he was a little dorky? The girl he loved didn’t mind it. The girl he loved. The thought should have come as a surprise, but he remembered thinking it the night before during the attack and it felt right. He did love her. It didn’t matter that they’d only been on one “official” date. They’d known each other for a couple of weeks, and that was all the time he needed.
The caravan pulled out onto Alberta Highway 4, heading north. The sun was high in the sky, promising another hot, sunny day. Even though they’d been there for a couple of weeks, it almost felt like they’d just rolled into town yesterday. When he thought about all that had happened, he knew it’d been longer than a day, but it still felt like it. They were finally on the road again, heading to their true home. They just had to traverse more than two thousand miles of zombie-infested, apocalyptic landscape to get there. No big deal.
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