“Let me get this straight. You want me to stay with the brother of a man who tried to kill me. I’m not even mentioning the fact that you did kill his brother. How is that conversation going to end?”
“We’ll lie. We can say that Jerome told us all about his setup in Texas. Then we’ll feed him a story about how Jerome died a hero’s death. Maybe he’ll let us stay if he thinks we were friends with his brother.”
“Do you even know where this guy lives in Texas?”
“At some house about an hour outside of Houston. I know it’s not much to go on, but we’re running out of wood, and the gas won’t last much longer. We’ve got to go somewhere, and that sounds like a good bet to me.”
“All right. I’ll follow your lead on this one. That’s a long drive, though. How are we going to survive that long in these conditions?”
“We can gather everything possible here. We’ll bring all the canned goods and the bottled water from the fridge. As for the heat, I know the truck air conditioner won’t keep up, but we’ll find a way to manage. At night, we won’t have a choice other than to find shelter if things keep going like they are. I can’t drive in a blizzard. We can look for more houses like this one as the day gets late, and we’ll simply make it our own for the night.”
“And what if someone’s already staying in it?”
“We’ll do what we have to.”
“No, we won’t. Your friends killed everyone who lived here. We can’t be those people.”
“First of all, stop calling them my friends. I hated Stanley and Vincent, and Jerome was simply someone I got stuck with. It’s true that I thought he was a friend at one time, but that was before I knew how sick he was.”
“All right, so they weren’t your friends, but you still haven’t told me how we’re going to take the houses without killing anyone.”
“We’ll ask nicely if we can stay,” Max said sarcastically.
“I’m being serious.”
“We really will ask first. If they turn us away and we’re freezing to death, though, you need to be willing to do whatever it takes to survive. I don’t like saying this to a kid, but you’ve got to grow up fast. Nothing about the rest of our lives is going to be pretty if we want to grow old. We’ll have to do things we regret, but I promise nothing we do will ever be out of anything other than necessity.”
“I can accept that. Don’t worry about saying anything to a kid, though. I think I grew up two days ago. Maybe everyone did.”
“I’m sorry. I suppose you have had to grow up fast. Once we get to Texas, hopefully life will start to get back to normal. For now, you need to get some rest. I’ll wake you as soon as it starts to warm up.”
Zoe rested as best she could, and in the morning, they showered. Max found some new clothes in one of the bedrooms. They would be a lot better than continuing to walk around in a prison jump suit. Finally, they were able to pack all their supplies and the generator into the vehicle. As they were leaving, a problem occurred, however. Just as Max was about to get in on the driver’s side, he heard someone step behind him.
“Don’t move, or I’ll kill you,” a woman said.
“Do you even have a gun?” Max asked.
“You bet I do. I’ve been watching you load this truck with plenty of food and water. I even saw a generator. All that’s mine now. Do we understand each other?”
Max simply turned around.
“Hey, I told you not to move,” she said.
He paid her no mind, however. What he saw was in no way threatening. A dark haired woman with curly hair stood there with a kitchen knife. Max pulled his pistol and put it against her head.
“Do you want to threaten me one more time?” Max asked.
“I’m sorry. I haven’t eaten since all this started. I don’t even know how I’m still alive. Some others and I found shelter at the office where I worked. We burned what we could to stay warm, but eventually, some looters came and killed everyone but me. I think they thought we would have supplies, but we didn’t have anything other than a few drinks. I escaped out the back while they were slaughtered. Now I’m here, and I’ll do anything for a bite to eat and something to drink. Can you please help me?” she asked and dropped her knife.
Max didn’t want to help her. It was going to be hard enough just to keep him and Zoe alive. This woman would only complicate things. Still, could he shoot her when all she needed was someone to show pity on her?
“What’s your name?” Zoe asked as she walked around the vehicle.
“I’m Rebecca Stiles.”
“We’re going on a road trip across the country to try to find a man who might be able to help us survive this. What do you bring to the table?”
“I don’t know . . . I . . .”
“Relax. Max doesn’t want to kill you, and I don’t want to see you die either. You can’t be too careful now, though. You were just threatening him. I couldn’t blame him if he shot you, but still, there’s got to be a reason to take you with us. Maybe you could do something that helps us survive.”
“I’ll do anything. I just need people to be with. I’ve lost a lot, and it would . . .”
“You’ll drive,” Max said and lowered his gun.
“What?”
“Zoe gave me the generator, so that’s what makes her valuable. I can kill anyone who threatens us, and you’ll get us to our location. We’re heading toward Houston. Do you think you can get us there?”
“I know I can.”
“Good. There’s some canned goods and water in the back. Get what you need now, and then we’re hitting the road.”
“Thank you,” Rebecca said and started to walk away, but Max stopped her and frisked her.
“Sorry about that. We don’t really know you yet, and I don’t want a stab in the back while I’m asleep,” Max said.
“It’s fine. I’ll be ready to go soon.”
After she walked away, Max looked at Zoe questionably. He didn’t know if he made the right decision. If he had been on his own, he probably would have shot Rebecca, but Zoe was with him. If he had killed that woman with no thought, he might have lost Zoe. She would have viewed him just like the monsters that killed her friend.
“It’s all right, Max. I think you made the right decision. She looks harmless. She wasn’t even carrying a gun. If it turns out that she’s not who we think she is, we’ll dump her somewhere, but until then, let’s assume she’s not playing an angle,” Zoe said.
“I hope you’re right. Giving charity is kind of hard in these times. We have enough supplies for us. Who knows if we have enough for her, too?”
“We’ll find a way to manage. Let’s just hurry her along so we can get on the road. It’s hot as hell out here, and I’m ready to get under the air conditioner.”
“You know you’re only thirteen, right? You shouldn’t be cursing. I didn’t think much of it before because of everything you had just gone through, but it might be time to cut it out.”
“You know you’re not my dad, right?”
“I realize that, but we become who we are in our teen years. If the world recovers from this, it’s going to need intelligent and patient people with class, not frustrated people who curse about everything.”
“Point taken, but Max, do you really think the world can ever recover from this? What does it matter if I’m the picture of what a girl should be when nothing is the same?”
“I’m glad I didn’t kill that woman a second ago. Every moral decision we make matters, no matter what’s going on around us, and that includes cursing.”
“Are you actually going to give me some religious speech right now? Yesterday you didn’t even know if you believed in God.”
“No. I’m going to tell you that our choice to do the right thing in the worst moments is what separates us from animals. We have a conscience, and even if it can get in the way at times, I think it’s there for a reason. Talk however you want. I’m not your dad, but you might need to think about who you want
to be in the future. I didn’t want to be someone who indiscriminately killed, so I didn’t pull the trigger a second ago. It might cost us in the end, but I decided who I wanted to be in this new world. Now, it’s your turn.”
“I guess you’re right. I’ll lay off the language for now. If we’re in the sun for much longer, though, there’s no telling what might come out of my mouth,” Zoe joked.
“If we’re out here for much longer, we might just be cooked alive.”
“There’s no need to worry about cooking. I’m ready to go. Thank you for helping me. I’ll get you to Houston,” Rebecca said, and they got into the vehicle.
They hadn’t slept well the night before because of Jerome, so Zoe was still very tired. She drifted off about thirty minutes into the trip. While she caught a nap, Max made it a point to get to know their new companion.
“If you’re going to be with us until Texas, I might as well get to know you more, Rebecca. What’s your story?”
“I don’t have much of one. I would be interested in yours, too. I think I heard the girl call you Max. Is that your name?”
“Yeah, and she’s Zoe.”
“Are you two related?”
“No. We met after everything happened. It’s a long story.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Max told her everything. He told her about what his prison mates had done to the family Zoe was staying with and how he ultimately killed Jerome when he tried to hurt her. Then he told her why he was in prison.
“What do you mean you killed your wife?” Rebecca asked in shock.
“I mean exactly that. I walked in to find that she had killed our baby. I just lost it after that. I stabbed her to death. I didn’t even remember doing it until recently. I want you to understand that I’m not some crazy serial killer. I’m just a guy who lost it when he saw his little girl dead. I think that’s why I helped Zoe. I couldn’t save my little girl, but I had a chance to save someone else’s. Maybe that’s stupid.”
“No, it’s not. It doesn’t matter what we did in the past anyway. We’re in uncharted territory now, but just for the record, I don’t know if I blame you. I never had children, but if I had and someone hurt one of them, I probably would’ve done the same thing.”
“Thanks for that. Can you tell me your story now?”
“I worked to move up the ladder at my job from the time I was twenty-two. I was in marketing, and I put all of myself into advancing. I was the youngest vice president in our company’s history. I was so proud. The funny thing is that all the work I put in means nothing now. When Ira hit, all I could think was why didn’t I find someone to spend my life with and have a family? My legacy means nothing, but even if I die, that would’ve meant something. I guess it’s too late to cry over it now, though.”
“I think we all wish we had lived it differently now that the end is here.”
“Do you think that’s what this is?”
“Probably. I don’t say it in front of Zoe, but if this isn’t the end of the world, then I don’t know what is.”
Before she could respond, they heard several loud pops and felt the truck shaking as it turned sideways. Then the vehicle flipped over onto its side and slid into a guardrail. Max didn’t know what had happened, and it didn’t seem to matter. It was over now. As he was losing consciousness, he heard footsteps coming toward them. He had failed to protect them all.
Chapter 6
Family
Max woke up to see a white ceiling and feel the full heat of the day. He could hear a fan running in the background. When he tried to sit up, he noticed that he had been tied to a table.
“I wouldn’t struggle if I were you,” a man said.
“Who are you, and where am I?” Max asked.
“You’re safe, and who I am isn’t important. This is about who you are. We rescued the women with you. Rebecca Stiles had an ID on her. The girl didn’t, but she’s only a child. We can’t be suspicious of people like that. You, on the other hand, were in a prison transport truck, and you had no identification. That means you could be dangerous,” the man said and stepped beside the table.
The first thing Max noticed was that he was wearing a policemen’s uniform. Nothing made sense to him. They had mysteriously crashed, and now someone who was supposed to be one of the good guys was holding him captive.
“I’ll tell you my story, if you explain why our truck crashed and who you are,” Max said.
“My name is Tate, and I was a police officer here. It crashed because we set out road spikes under some brush. We needed supplies, and you had them.”
“Who is we?”
“My partner and I and a few others we’ve taken in. The station has a backup generator, and we’ve been surviving there since the incident. We’re willing to take in outsiders, but we have to know they can be trusted. Now, who are you?”
“I’m Max. I was a prisoner before the world went to hell. I can be trusted. You, on the other hand, I’m not so sure about. You act like you’re taking people in, but offering to after you rob them isn’t much charity.”
“Big talk for a man who just got out of prison. It’s funny. When I asked the women you were with, they acted like you were just some regular Joe they met on the road. I’m sure you told them the truth, though, if you would tell someone like me so quickly. I don’t tolerate criminals or liars. We’ll exile them and get rid of you now,” he said and pulled a knife out.
“Are you actually going to kill me? I thought you were a cop.”
“I am, but the world has changed. There aren’t prisons to lock men like you up. There are only people like me who can make sure you’re never a threat again,” he said and raised the knife.
“Wait a minute. Don’t you want to hear what I did before you decide if I deserve to die?”
Tate wasn’t going to hear anything he said. In his mind, this had to be done. Max saw his life flash before his eyes. It was over.
* * * * *
While Max was being questioned, Zoe and Rebecca were with the other survivors. They had already been told who they were dealing with, and they acted as if they were more than glad to be accepted into a group. The truth was that this group had been responsible for taking all of their supplies, and they wanted them dead. Not everyone could be held responsible, though. As far as they could tell, the only ones allowed to have guns were the two officers. The others likely joined them out of desperation. Some might have even been victims like themselves.
“That guy has Max in a room alone, and we don’t have any idea what’s going on. We’ve got to do something,” Zoe whispered.
“We can’t do anything rash. We’ll be killed if we do. Besides, he’s probably being questioned just like we were. I’m sure they’ll let him go after a while,” Rebecca said.
“And then what? Are we just going to stay here and be their prisoners? Count me out. I’m finding a way out of here now.”
“If you’ve got an idea, I’m open to it. I don’t think there’s anything we can do, though,” Rebecca said while looking at the officer in the next room.
“We’ve got to get a gun. From there, anything can happen.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve got an idea. Wait here.”
“No way. Let me in on what’s going on.”
“I’m going to sweet talk the guard and get him into a position where he’s away from his gun. From there, I’ll steal it. There’s just one problem. I’ve never fired a gun. Do you know how to? If so, I’ll give it to you.”
“Not really, but it can’t be that complicated. You’ve got a safety and then a trigger. What could be so hard about that? Here’s what I don’t understand. If I have the gun, does that mean I’m going to be shooting this guy?”
“No, my plan is stupid. I can’t let you kill someone, and I’m going to be useless with it. We need to figure something else out.”
“There is nothing else. Max told me we might have to do some things we regret in order
to survive this. You get the gun, and I’ll do the rest.”
Rebecca nodded and walked into the next room. The man looked surprised to see her approaching him so casually.
“I thought I told you to stay in there. We’ll be serving dinner in a couple of hours. Anything else you need can wait.”
“Hold on. What’s your name?”
“I’m Aaron. Now go.”
“I’ve got one question, Aaron. I can see that things work a certain way here. You and your friend are in charge, and as long as the others do what you say, they get to live here. It’s basically a shared dictatorship. I’ve got no problem with that, but what does somebody have to do to gain a bigger standing in this group?” she asked and closed the distance between them.
“There’s nothing you can do. Now, get back in there.”
“I disagree. I think there are plenty of ways we could make each other happy. You scratch my back by giving me better standing, and I’ll make the apocalypse seem like heaven for you,” she said as she wrapped her arms around him and gently kissed his neck.
“I think we might be able to work something out. Let me shut the door,” he said and stepped toward it.
For a brief moment, his guard was down. Rebecca had to act then. She reached out and pulled the pistol out of his holster. Then she quickly backed into a corner and clicked the safety off.
“Put it down now!” Aaron exclaimed and started running at her.
She didn’t have time to pawn this task off to Zoe or anyone else. She could kill this man, or she would probably die. Rebecca closed her eyes and shot. When she opened them, she saw him lying on the floor holding his chest. She fired two more times, effectively ending his life. While she stared down at his lifeless body, Zoe ran into the room.
The Divide: Origins Page 5