“Of course I did. Mine’s only a few days before yours, and you better remember it when it rolls around, too,” he joked.
“The other thing is that I can’t stop picturing a fourteen year old you sitting on your bed and crying your eyes out while reading the most romantic story of your life. I can picture it all up here. You were a big softy growing up, weren’t you?” Zoe teased.
“I wouldn’t have told you that if I knew you were going to make fun of me.”
“I’m just messing with you. Thanks. It’s really thoughtful. I’m sure I’ll love it.”
“All right. Since you reacted so well to that, I’ll give you your real present,” Max said and pulled a computer out of his bag.
“It’s great, but what will I even use it for now? The Internet doesn’t even exist anymore,” Zoe said.
“It’s got a CD burner, and as far as I can tell, there’s a world full of CDs, video games, and movies that no one is using. Sometimes it might be nice to just be a teenager and slack off. When you want that, you’ll have the book and more importantly, a computer that could lead to a lot of entertainment. As a matter of fact, there’s a store full of CDs and movies downstairs. I can keep watch if you want to see if any of it is salvageable.”
“You would be okay with that?”
“I don’t see anyone else using the stuff. Go ahead.”
“Thanks, Max,” she said and headed downstairs.
He smiled. It was amazing how something so small could feel so good. Bringing Zoe a little bit of joy on her birthday had really been more for him than anything. He needed to know he could do that. Max had never gotten the chance to see his own daughter grow up and spoil her on her fourteenth birthday. In a way, he had gotten an experience for himself that he never thought was possible, even if it was in the coldest environment he had ever been in.
When he looked back out the window, his smile quickly faded. The military was moving into town, and they weren’t just bringing a small force that Zoe and he could take care of. They had brought an army that could easily crush everyone at the school. He had thought they had more time, but they had to move. He quietly rushed downstairs and found Zoe. Then he placed one finger up to his lips to signal for her to be quiet.
“Put everything you’ve found into my bag and follow me. We’re going out the back,” he said.
“Are they here?”
“Yeah, and there are a lot of them. We don’t have a choice other than to leave. Come on,” Max said and led her out the back.
They made their way behind buildings until they were out of the town square. Then they cut across to the school. Max instructed Zoe to get Rebecca and Liam while he warned the others. He had noticed that a group of cars was just outside. He had to find a way to get the keys to one of them.
“They’re here, and there are a lot of them,” Max said to Mack once he made it upstairs.
“How many? Can we take them?”
“A few hundred, and I don’t know. I do know one thing. If we’re going to keep the sick and injured alive, we’ve got to lead them away from here.”
“What do you suggest?”
“There are cars out front. We can gather all able-bodied men and drive to the other side of town. Then we can attack them from that side. If we take the fight to them, there will be no reason for them to go to the school, and maybe we can win this fight before they even get a chance to.”
“I like it. How long do I have to gather everyone?”
“Not long. I need some keys and four guns. My group will fight. Liam will just have to get over his problems quickly.”
“What about Rebecca? Do you actually think she can fight with that wound to her leg?”
“She’s getting better, and she’s the best shot in our group. We’ll need her. Trust me on this. I’ve already dealt with these people once. We’ll need everyone who can hold a gun.”
“All right, you’ve got it,” Mack said and retrieved a set of keys and four guns for him.
It had all been too easy. Max felt a little bad about leaving these people, but it was to protect the people who meant the most to him. It had to be done. Once he was downstairs, he found Zoe and the others in the hallway. Rebecca was able to walk slowly now, but it looked painful. He offered to carry her, but she said she was fine. They walked right out the door without anyone noticing that they were being deserted. When they made it to the car, Liam did something that complicated Max’s plans.
“I’m staying,” Liam said and stepped away from the car.
“The hell you are! Get in or you’ll die,” Zoe said.
“There are worse ways to die than defending innocent people. I think you guys should run. You’re still looking for a way out of this crazy reality, and from what I’ve heard, you might just find it in Texas. I’ve made my choice, though. This is my way out.”
“You’re really going to do this, aren’t you? It can get better, Liam.”
Max normally would have considered letting Liam make his own decision about this. After all, in a world with so little control, being able to decide how you died was a luxury, and it should have been his choice. Max couldn’t let him make that choice on Zoe’s birthday, though. He walked over to Liam and hit him in the back of the head with the butt of his gun. Liam hit the ground, and Max picked him up and threw him into the car.
Once they were on the road, Max let out a sigh of relief. Even if it hadn’t been easy, they were safe now. That might have been the wrong word to use, though. The snow and ice was falling at a rapid pace, and the wind was picking up. The roads were anything but safe. Still, this was better than staying to fight a war.
“Where are we going to stay? We can’t drive in this all night,” Rebecca whispered.
“We’ll find a place to hunker down a few miles down the road. For now, we just need to get some distance from that place.”
“You’re a coward,” Liam said as the cobwebs cleared from his mind.
“I just saved your life. You were grief-stricken, and you weren’t going to come unless I knocked you out,” Max said.
“You’re going to turn this car around and take me back there. I’m not running away from a fight or what might be death,” Liam said as he reached up and grabbed the wheel.
Zoe pulled him back, but the damage had been done. The car went into a slide and ran off the road into a tree. It was freezing, they were three miles from the town, the car wasn’t going to crank, and Max had no idea where they could find shelter. In his attempt to meet his maker, Liam might just have decided all of their fates.
Chapter 13
Decisions
“Shit,” Zoe said as she got out holding her head.
Max wasn’t much happier than her. As he helped Rebecca out of the car, he thought about how he wanted to wring Liam’s neck. They were probably going to freeze to death. No one would blame him if he killed Liam.
“What the hell were you thinking back there?” Max yelled at him.
“What does it matter? We’re fine,” Liam said.
“Does this look fine to you? We have two choices now. We can walk back to the town and either be killed by the army or the people we deserted, or we can wander down the road and slowly freeze to death. No matter what we do, we’re dead, and it’s all thanks to you.”
“So what? We were going to die anyway.”
At that moment, Zoe slapped him. Then she walked to the car and reached inside to get her gun. Afterward, she handed it to him.
“I would give anything for my family or even a friend of mine to be alive, and I know they didn’t want to die. They were brave, and they wouldn’t have checked out early. You’re a coward, though, and you’re going to end up getting all of us killed. If you want to die, then quit talking about it, and make it happen. Put the gun to your head, and pull the trigger,” Zoe said.
“Are you serious?” Liam asked.
“I wouldn’t joke about something like this. If you’re going to do it, then go ahead. No one is sto
pping you.”
“Liam, you don’t have to . . .” Rebecca said before Zoe cut her off.
“Just let him make his choice. It’s only my birthday. I really wanted to see my first kiss blow his brains out today,” she said sarcastically.
Liam put the gun to his head and clicked the safety off. Death was within reach, and it was something he thought would be so easy, but pulling that trigger was the hardest thing in the world. Even if he wanted to, his body just wouldn’t act. After he had stood there for a few seconds, Zoe walked over and snatched the gun away from him.
“If you don’t really want to die, then shut the hell up about it, and help us find a way to survive. We’ve all lost people. Sadness and depression aren’t exclusive to you. Maybe you could actually try getting with the program and helping us out a little. It might give you some purpose.”
“I’m . . . I’m sorry,” Liam said.
“Don’t be sorry. Give us a way not to freeze to death because we’re not going back to that town.”
“I guess we have to walk and hope for the best. There has to be a house somewhere close.”
“Lead the way then,” Zoe said and motioned for him to go.
She lagged a little behind him and Rebecca because she wanted to get her laptop from the crash. Thankfully, it wasn’t hurt. She didn’t imagine that the subzero temperatures were going to be good for it, but there was still a chance that her birthday wasn’t going to be a complete bust. She had her gift, Liam was actually helping for once, and somehow she just knew this wasn’t the end for them. They would find a place to stay.
“That was pretty impressive. How did you know he wouldn’t shoot himself?” Max asked as she stepped beside him.
“I didn’t. I killed a boy before we got here because I thought he would be a threat to us. I know Liam’s a threat, and I would’ve put a bullet in him myself if I didn’t like him. It’s getting harder to have any feelings for him, by the way. I’m glad he didn’t shoot himself, though. Maybe now that he knows he can’t kill himself, he’ll be helpful.”
“I think he will be. That’s some way to teach a lesson, though. Remind me to never get on your bad side,” Max joked.
“I wouldn’t ever let you kill yourself. Do you think we’re going to find somewhere to stay?”
“I don’t know.”
“What kind of answer is that? Aren’t you supposed to tell the kid that everything’s going to be okay?”
“I think you grew up a few days ago when that comet hit. Even if you look like one to me, you’re definitely not a kid anymore. A few minutes ago proved that. Why don’t you go talk to him? He learned a lesson, and now he could probably use a friend.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I know it is. Now go ahead. Rebecca and I will hang back a little so you two can talk privately. I think she’s having a hard time keeping up with him anyway.”
They caught up with the others, and Max put his hand in Rebecca’s. They slowed their pace until they were several yards behind them.
“How’s your leg doing?” Max asked her.
“Terrible. What I’m more concerned with is them. I think Liam’s going crazy. What Zoe just did wasn’t exactly sane either. I can’t believe she told him to kill himself.”
“I know. I’m worried, too. They’re supposed to be kids, but I think Zoe’s becoming more of an adult than even I feel like. I could’ve never told that kid to kill himself.”
“Why did she?”
“He was a threat. He almost killed us back there. I think she figured that he would either have a moment of clarity and decide to get on board with what we’re doing, or he wouldn’t be a problem anymore.”
“I’m glad it worked. What we should really be concerned with is the fact that we’re freezing to death out here. Are we going to die, Max, because I think we are.”
“No. We’re going to be fine.”
“You don’t really believe that. You can be straight with me.”
“Okay. I think we’re probably going to walk and walk without finding a place to stay until we freeze to death. I hope we don’t, but I don’t remember seeing any houses for miles. Do you?”
“I don’t. This isn’t how I pictured it ending. I can barely walk, I’m freezing to death, and a fourteen-year-old boy is the reason I’m going to die. I figured maybe a bullet or a storm would get me, but not this.”
“I can help with one of those,” he said and picked her up.
As he held her in his arms, she asked him a difficult question.
“We’ve only known each other for a little while, and we probably never would’ve gotten close if it wasn’t for all of this, but what do you think would have happened if we had met under different circumstances?”
“What do you mean?”
“Like before Ira hit.”
“You probably would’ve thought I was an evil murderer and never given me the time of day. Then again, the only way you could’ve met me was if you were in prison, too, so maybe you wouldn’t be able to judge,” Max joked to try to get out of answering the question.
“I’m being serious. If I met you outside of prison and I could understand why you killed your wife, would we have been interested in each other at all? It’s not like we’re that close now, but under different circumstances, could you have loved someone like me?”
Max knew what she was doing. Rebecca had never been in a meaningful relationship, and she wanted to know that someone could have loved her if things had gone a little differently. She had to know that, if she was about to die.
“Let’s see. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and I do like talking to you. I know I would’ve liked you. I might even have loved you. I don’t know how you would’ve felt about me, but I think a lot of good things could have been possible. Maybe they still are. You never know,” he said and set her down. Then he kissed her.
It had been what she wanted to hear, and not all of it was a lie. Max didn’t think there was a possibility of them living through the night and loving each other, but he did know that he could have loved Rebecca. As far as he was concerned, just about any man should have been able to.
Up ahead, Zoe and Liam had been walking in silence. Something needed to be said, but neither of them knew what to do. Liam had caused them so much trouble, and he was embarrassed. Zoe, on the other hand, had told him to kill himself and even given him the gun to do it with. How do you have a conversation with someone after you do that?
“I’m sorry,” Liam said.
“Me, too,” Zoe said.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. This is my fault. I’ve made this all about me, as if everyone else doesn’t have enough problems. It won’t happen again. Thank you for making me see that I don’t really want to die, even if you had to do it the hard way.”
“No problem. If I had known putting a gun to your head would solve everything, I would’ve done it yesterday,” she joked.
“So this is your birthday. You told me it was today when we first met, but I forgot with everything that’s happened. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. That’s understandable. Trying to kill us in the car was the crazy part.”
“All right, I get it. Let me ask you something, though. Did I really give you your first kiss?”
“Yeah, it was my first kiss. I’m really glad you didn’t kill yourself. How does a person get over telling their first kiss to kill themselves and then them actually doing it?”
“You won’t ever have to worry about that again. I promise. Hopefully there will be a second kiss, too.”
“I don’t see any other options for kisses around here, so I’m sure there will be one,” Zoe said before seeing something interesting in the distance.
She pointed to the woods. In the corner of the trees there was a house. A dirt driveway led to it, and a light could clearly be seen shining from inside.
“Are we actually going to live through this?” Liam asked.
“I think
so. Come on, guys. We found a place to stay,” Zoe called back to Max and Rebecca.
They made their way to the house and knocked. They could hear people talking inside, but no one came to the door.
“Please, help us. We’re freezing to death out here,” Max called out.
Still, no one came to the door. He tried opening it, but it was locked. Everyone called out again and again, but it did no good. Just when he was about to kick the door in, he heard a man’s voice.
“Go away. We can’t help you,” a man said from inside.
“We’re going to die if you don’t,” Rebecca said.
“That’s not my problem. If you don’t leave, we’ll shoot you,” he said and stepped away from the door.
Max knew what had to be done. He clutched his gun and gave the others some instructions.
“I’m going around back to break in. You three need to stay here. If anyone steps out that door who isn’t me, don’t hesitate to shoot them. Do you understand?”
“You’re not going by yourself,” Rebecca said.
“I agree,” Zoe said.
“You can’t even walk well, Rebecca, so you can’t come with me. Zoe, I don’t want to endanger you either.”
“What about me?” Liam asked.
“I need you to stay here in case Zoe and Rebecca need some help. There’s a chance they’ll try to flee out the front once I’m inside. If they do, they could be a threat. You’re the one I’m trusting to pull the trigger when that door opens.”
“Why would you trust me after everything I’ve done tonight?”
“Call it a leap of faith. If you don’t get it done, I know Zoe and Rebecca will, but it’s time for you to earn your keep. I know you can,” Max said and walked around back.
Once he found the back door, he didn’t hesitate to kick it in. He ran inside and into the living room where he saw two teenagers sitting by a gas heater. The boy pulled a pistol. Max acted on instinct and pulled the trigger. The bullet ripped through the kid’s skull. Before he could even process what had happened, the girl dove for the boy’s gun. Max scowled. He knew what had to be done, but he hated doing it. At the last second, he pulled the trigger, and a bullet ripped through her chest. As she gasped for air, he put one more bullet through her head. There was so much blood, and these kids didn’t look like they were that much older than Zoe and Liam. What had they been to each other? Had Max just killed a brother and sister, or maybe they were in a relationship. Regardless, he had just taken two people’s lives who had banded together to try to survive the end of the world. Even if Max had no choice, he hated himself for it.
The Divide: Origins Page 12