by Tara Brown
“What island?” Sasha gives me a confused look.
“Whidbey Island Base is apparently a biter-free zone.”
Her eyes lift. “Seriously?”
Lee nods. “It’s what we heard. And everyone on the road talked about it.”
Sasha sits back, slumping into the couch. “Well hell, let’s get outta here before we get caught up here by anyone we can’t fight off.” She means Danny Hillman—I know that.
And I don't blame her for it.
Chapter Eight
We sit in the living room, all of us in a circle with the evening’s fire creating an orangish glow in the room. I look around at the small faces of my sister and her friends and say the thing I least expected to say, “We have a decision to make. Lee and Erin are going to the coast because they heard there’s a chance that the base there is a biter-free zone. Would you guys want to go there?”
Joey’s eyes narrow. “What if Dad comes, Lou?”
My stomach twists as the reality of the situation crashes upon us and I can only shelter her from so much. “Dad never came for Mom, Jo. He never came.”
Joey’s eyes close. I know this means she’s stopped listening to me. I glance at Julia and say the thing I’ve needed to say from the beginning. “Your dad is gone too.” Julia starts to leak tears but doesn't make a sound, not like Joey who’s sobbing. I hate myself. “All our parents are dead. The only one who might be alive is our dad and if he is, he stands a very good chance of being at the base on the coast. He’s a military scientist. They won’t let him leave there until he helps cure it. That's how it works. So if he’s alive, I suspect he’s there.”
Sasha comes and wraps her long thin arms around the girls. “We have each other, and right now that's the most important part.” Furgus gets up from the fire, panting, and snuggles into the girls. He squishes all three of them but they don't seem to mind it. I think he senses they need to be squished with his version of hairy love.
We all sit in silence. I don't know what else to say. Joey lifts her face, tears still filling her eyes, and murmurs, “Did you see her? Was she at the house?”
I nod slowly, wishing I could be anywhere else in the world or that I wasn't the only version of an adult in her life.
She sniffles, wiping her face. “Was she sick?”
I nod again.
That seems to make it better for her. She wipes her face again and rests her head on our dog. She closes her eyes and holds onto his thick dark fur.
Lissie and Julia eventually calm down. I have to imagine we all sort of expected the worst and hearing it is hard, but at the end of the day, we all knew it would come to this. The last couple days have proven that.
Sasha strokes their heads, kissing and whispering comforts softly. She’s a lot like her mother, a nurturing woman.
Erin gives an exhausted sigh. “We have to leave in the morning. We need to get to the coast by tomorrow. Once we hit the cities on the coastline it’s going to be brutal there.”
I wince. “It’s like twelve hours of long, hard driving on Highway 90. Spokane, Seattle, and Everett will be busy cities.”
Lee shakes her head in twitches. “We avoid highways. No highways.” The panic in her eyes is intense.
Erin bites her lip and is looking like she’s thinking. “How populated is this area?”
Sasha lifts her head. “Not like Chicago, but it’s busy enough that the highway might be interesting. From here to Spokane should be fine. That's the lion’s share of the journey. Once you hit Spokane though, it’s going to be busy.”
I narrow my gaze. “There was a tank. It drove through town with a bunch of biters chasing it.”
Sasha rolls her eyes. “That's Danny and the morons. They stole it from that weird guy who has all the old army crap in his junkyard.”
Erin scoffs. “He has an old tank? They allow that?”
“Yeah, he was some dude who built stuff for the military back in the day. It doesn't fire. He almost got it taken away, but he proved it doesn't actually do anything but drive. He made it more for fun.”
Lee looks excited. “Could it fit us all?”
Sasha nods. “You can fit five adults easily but we can’t take it from Danny. He’ll kill for it. He’s been using it to kill the biters. He lures them and Kelly and Lance—”
“Anyway, it’s probably a gas guzzler.” I cut Sasha off and nod toward the girls. Her cheeks brighten as she realizes all our parents are biters.
Erin nods. “We’d have to gas up every hour. That won’t work.”
Sasha shakes her head. “No. It has a tank so big, Danny and them have been driving it for days and they haven’t filled up yet. He was mentioning it.”
Erin gives me a grin. “Well then, let’s go and pay those morons a visit.”
It’s a bad idea and I instantly regret mentioning it, but Sasha beats me to protesting. She shakes her head. “No. We can’t go down there. We can’t.” The terror in her voice would change my mind but Erin just grins harder.
Lee sighs, closing her eyes. “Erin, we can’t risk going down there.”
Erin nods at me. “Sasha says you’re amazing with a gun.”
I shrug but don't answer. I don't want to go down there. She looks at Sasha. “You stay here with the little girls. We’ll be back.”
I look at the bandage on her side. “You’re hurt. We can’t go down there. You’ll get killed.”
Sasha’s eyes widen. “Or worse.”
Erin shakes her head. “We won’t get caught. Think of it as redemption, Sasha.” I have to assume Sasha told her the whole story—one she hasn't even told me.
Sasha hugs the girls whose eyes are all wide. Joey gives me a look. “Don't go.”
I don't want to explain anything to her. I shake my head. “I’m not going. We’ll stay here, and then in the morning we’ll leave for the coast to see if Dad’s there stuck on a base.”
She swallows hard, not believing me fully. I nod my head at the upstairs. “But you girls need to go to bed. We have to leave early.” I don't meet Erin’s gaze. I know she’s trying to find out if I mean what I say. I’m not sure if I do or not, but I’m not discussing it in front of ten and eleven-year-olds.
Sasha stands, shoving Furgus off of them all. “I’ll tuck you girls in.” She gives me an evil look but I ignore it. Furgus shakes his coat and saunters up the stairs with the girls.
My stomach is in knots and my throat feels thick, but the tank would guarantee my sister’s safety. And I have a sneaky suspicion the look in Erin’s beautiful blue eyes would mean revenge on Danny for whatever he did to Sasha. I think I want both and I know my mind is made up.
The discussion is a series of intense whispers, arguing both sides. We reach an agreement the moment Sasha comes downstairs. The look on her face swings my vote. “Fine, let’s go.”
Sasha shakes her head. “Don't. It’s not worth it.”
I look straight into her bright-blue eyes and lie, “We’re going to find a bigger vehicle and some gas cans so we can just drive across. We aren’t going for the tank. My SUV is out of gas, so if we can’t find a bigger one, we’ll just find gas for mine.”
She doesn't believe me but she nods. “Hurry.”
We leave, driving down in Lee’s crappy little car, she had stolen somewhere between Maine and here, in a hurried rush to get to the West Coast. I glance at Erin in the passenger seat. “Your wound is pretty bad. I don't think this is a good idea for you.”
She lifts the MK25. “I don't have to be strong or fast, just accurate.” There’s a crazy look in her eyes. It almost matches Mr. Milson’s. “Your friend thought I was sleeping when she told me what had happened to her. She said she had to tell someone before she went crazy from it. Trust me, this Danny asshole deserves all he’s going to get.”
My insides light on fire as I imagine what went down. I wish I could change how things had happened.
We spend the rest of the ride plotting in a way that only three bitter girls can.
/>
When we get back into town I am mystified at the lack of biters. It’s insane. There are none.
“Where are the biters?”
I swallow hard. “Dead.”
Lee gives me a look in the rearview mirror. “Those guys are crazy, aren’t they?”
I nod, staring at her reflection. “I think so.” She gulps and I join her. My nerves are on edge. She drives to my old neighborhood, turning when I point to the street. “This is her street. If they’re even still here,” I mention, not really thinking about it.
“I’m sure Sasha wasn't the only girl there.” Erin sighs. Her words bring a fire in my belly but it isn’t fear. Not anymore. The dark street doesn't scare me the same way it might have before.
Before my mom died alone, twitching and starving for blood.
Before my dad got stuck and couldn't come to me the way he promised he would.
Before a boy I have never liked made my friend do things because no one could protect her.
Before my sister had to shoot her own mother to protect herself.
Before all this happened.
The girl I was before would have run from the dark street. But now I see the point Erin is arguing about making him pay. And I need his tank to keep my sister safe.
Erin gives me a look. “You ready?”
I nod, shoving the gun into the back of my pants like my dad told me not to. Lee pulls over and gives us both a worried look. “Be careful, okay?” When we get out, she turns the car off and sits there in the silence of the dark.
We walk along the sidewalk until we can hear it—a party.
“That them?”
“Probably.” I nod, wondering how may are there now.
She shoves the gun in her pants like me and walks. “Have you killed anyone yet?”
I shake my head. “I don't know. Maybe.”
“Don't think of them as people. Think of like Shaun of the Dead or The Walking Dead. That’s the only way. They aren’t people.” For a pretty girl, she’s a downer.
We know we’re at the right place when we see headlights shining at the house. Music blares from one of the cars and a bonfire lights the backyard. A guy with a gun stands at the back gate, guarding it. I freeze when I see a biter, but the dude lifts the hunting rifle in his arms and fires, dropping the biter to the ground. He lowers the weapon but his face doesn't change. He took a life, even if it was just a biter’s life, and doesn't even seem fazed.
Erin gives me a look. “Ready?”
“No.” But I nod, waving at the guy when we are close enough for him to see.
He lifts the gun but pauses when Erin smiles wide. “Hey there, big guy.” He lowers the weapon, confused but maybe excited at the prospect of more girls to party with. “You girls been bitten?”
“Really?” I sigh, offering him a sarcastic look. “Dude, we’re not running around, trying to chomp our teeth down on you.”
He flashes a grin and instantly I recognize him. He’s one of the guys who smokes a ton of pot at our school. He rarely comes to school, and when he does, he’s in the shop most of the time. He’s big on fixing cars and smoking weed. He’s a senior with me.
“Lou, is that you?” He grins and I can tell he’s obviously high and holding a weapon . . . awesome.
“Yeah. You’re Jared, right?”
“Yeah.” His eyes trail off to the supermodel on my right. “And who is this?”
“My cousin, Erin. She wants to party. I told her I knew Danny and them were partying.”
He grins wider. “Well, the more chicks the better. It’s a sausage party in there right now. A couple girls bailed earlier. You know Jamie? She’s here.”
My eyes lift to the house. “No way!” I try to sound excited and not devastated, thinking of beautiful Jamie with her glossy red hair and delicate porcelain face in the greasy fingers of Danny Hillman. That would make me gag.
“Yeah, she’s pretty drunk tonight but she’s here. We found her yesterday, hiding out and hungry.” He opens the gate. He doesn't even search us for guns. He’s not that smart.
The backyard is filled with kids I know, from freshmen to seniors. Everyone is drinking and dancing to the music around the fire. It has a Lord of The Flies feel to it and I have a bad feeling I’m Piggy.
Jamie is sitting at the fire. I spot her first. Her glossy red hair is pulled into a high ponytail and she looks drunk off her ass. I glance at Erin, giving her a look. “Danny is the one over by the fence, peeing.”
“Of course he is.” She nods. “Cut the head from the snake and the body dies. That's been my experience.” She walks directly to him, strutting like she doesn't have a gash in her side or an infection.
I walk to Jamie, hoping Lance and Kelly don't notice me. Kids wave or nod, not really excited to see me or just too high and drunk to care. I want to hug each of them and tell them I’m excited they’re alive, but they don't seem to want to return the love. I drop down to my knees next to Jamie. “Hey,” I whisper in her ear.
She glances at me sideways, not putting much effort into the greeting. Her eyes narrow as she focuses on my face. Instantly, the corners of her mouth lift, but I place a hand over her lips. “Shhhhhhh. I don't want Danny to know I’m here.”
“He’s pissed at you.” She nods exaggeratedly as the glow of the fire flickers in her dark eyes. She tries to pass me her bottle of beer.
I shake my head. “No, let’s get you to a safe place.”
She laughs. “My parents tried to eat me. This is the safest place in Laurel. You just have to pay Danny the price for that freedom.” There is a frightening bitterness in her voice. She looks at me and I hate the lifelessness in her stare. “I thought the biters were the monsters but I’m afraid I was wrong.”
“I know, but it won’t always be like that.”
She ignores me, bobbing her head to the song we used to sing in the hallway, “Somebody to You” by The Vamps. The song’s beat really kicks off as the kids around the fire start dancing even more excitedly. Everyone sings like we’re at a regular pit party and not the last pit party ever. I search out Erin who’s smiling away at Danny. She bats her lashes and I nearly roll my eyes. I suspect he’s about to die and he doesn't even know it.
Everyone is mid-chorus when suddenly the music cuts. People scream the lyrics for a whole ten seconds before they realize the music has cut out. Gunshots ring out into the night. I grab Jamie’s hand and run for the side of the house, dragging her with me. Kids scream and run around the yard, trying to hide. Jamie throws up on the gravel at the side of the house. I gag when the smell wafts up at me but the fear of who or what turned the music off is stronger than the nausea.
“WHERE IS SHE?” A guy’s voice rings out over the party. “WHERE IS MY SISTER?”
I glance down at Jamie and wonder if it’s her brother, Miles. He graduated two years before us and has been in Boston at school. The screaming voice sounds like his.
I would know it anywhere.
“JAMIE!” he screams again. I leave her at the side of the house, scared but also desperate to see if it’s him.
And it is.
His dark-auburn hair stands out immediately—well, after the huge machine gun in his hands. He sees me and points. “You okay? You hurt?”
“I’m fine.” I nod, shaking slightly.
“Where’s Jamie?” His jaw flexes when he finishes snarling. The cold hatred in his eyes makes them look like liquid steel.
I reach back and drag her from the side of the house. He instantly softens. He looks like he hasn't breathed in a year, the way he gulps his air.
He storms to us through the sea of frightened kids and grabs her red head that is much brighter than his. He kisses the top of it, snatching the bottle and breaking it on the fence. We all jump at the sound.
There’s another guy with him who holds his gun on us all, moving slowly like he’s done this before, a lot. “Let’s go, Miles. These kids are bait.”
Miles shakes his head. “Of course,
the damned world is ending and you’re drunk.” He kisses the top of her head again and shouts, “You kids need to shut this shit down. There’s a herd of them coming this way. They’re drawn to the noise, ya morons.” He nods toward the gates. Kids scramble, running like each of them knows exactly what’s coming.
Danny steps forward, holding a gun in his hand but not lifting it from his thigh. “What the hell, Miles? Who invited you? We’ve been doing fine without you here.”
Erin doesn't hesitate. She lifts her gun, popping it at the side of his head. Danny’s blood spays from the side of his head as he drops to the ground instantly. She doesn't notice the guns lifted on her. She doesn't care. She reaches down and grabs the gun from his limp fingers and nods at me. “Let’s go.” I bend forward, fighting the urge to throw up everywhere.
Miles gives me a panicked look. “Who the hell is that?” His gun doesn't move from being pointed right at her.
“She’s a friend.” I don't know how else to explain any of it. So I just say the thing I think will keep him calm. “When your sister is sober I’m sure she’ll be able to fill you in on what a great guy Danny was and how he kept all the girls safe in this little brothel with him. The rent wasn’t very cheap, apparently.”
Apparently, I was wrong about it calming him down.
Chapter Nine
Day Six
I can’t help but follow him with my eyes as he paces, lecturing all of us. Even Erin hasn't said much. Erin, Lee, Sasha, Jamie, and me all sit with our backs to the wall at my cabin as he takes long strides, ranting. His friend, Kyle, leans against the wall nodding at all the points Miles is making. He has a cheeky grin on his smug face that doesn't ever seem to fade.
“You girls could have been killed. You think it’s a game out there? We’ve been driving across America since the day it started and it’s bad out there. The little gang of hoodlums in Laurel is the least of your worries. There’s no government. There are no hospitals. People see something they want and they take it. And if it isn’t them, it's the biters. They don't care that you’re a pretty girl.” His eyes meet mine as he rants on, but all I see is Miles—the Miles I have had a crush on since I could say the word boyfriend. His savage expressions and annoyances are nothing—nothing compared to the relief I feel with him being here. He’s twenty, intelligent, and fit. He was in judo our entire lives and used to go shooting with my dad and his. He’s the perfect person to keep us all alive, well him and Erin. I almost sigh as he goes on and on.