Kristie smiled. “Aw…you’re such a sweetie,” she said grabbing his scruffy chin and kissing his lips.
His face was solemn. “Hey, they’re your friends and without them, we may have never met. I owe them for bringing you into my life, babe.”
Kristie’s eyes filled with tears. She touched his arm. “You know, your heart is as big as your biceps.”
He flexed. “You get my blood pumping in many places, mama. Just like I told you before, though, it’s destiny. We were meant to be together. And now I’ve found you, I will never let you go.”
Ugh, thought Paige as her mom threw her arms around Tiny and smothered him with kisses. They’ve only known each other for a few days and now they’re like… soul mates?
Henry grunted. “I’m truly happy for you both. Now someone better get their ass inside and look around before I grow a tail and can’t make it to the shitter. If you haven’t noticed there isn’t a public restroom anywhere close.”
Tiny sighed. “Don’t worry, gramps. Well get you to a toilet.”
“You have about an hour before my intestines push one out. It’s clockwork with me, by golly.”
Paige shuddered. “I can’t believe I’m listening to this.”
Henry’s eyes narrowed. “When you’re my age you’ll appreciate a healthy dump, young lady.” He sighed and then continued. “Once I was backed up for two weeks…”
“Okay,” said Paige, holding up her hands. “Sorry, now can we change the subject?”
Henry mumbled something under his breath and then looked out the window.
“Let’s just wait until the zombies spread out a little more,” said Tiny.
They waited awhile and watched as the zombies wandered aimlessly around the building without even so much as a glance in their direction. When the undead seemed manageable, Tiny decided it was time for him to go in and investigate.
“I’m coming with,” said Kristie, grabbing her gun from the glove compartment.
He shook his head. “It’s too dangerous, hon. Just let me go and you stay back to protect the girls. I’ll take Henry.”
Kristie shook her head. “Not a good idea. You’ve never met Kris, you won’t recognize her. Plus, you’re kind of intimidating for someone who’s never met you.”
“Yeah, she’ll think your some biker dude wanting to start trouble,” said Paige.
“Doesn’t anyone watch pro-wrestling anymore?” asked Tiny incredulously. “I’m one of the heroes; the good guys. I thought everyone knew me?”
“She runs a daycare. The only television shows she’s familiar with is Elmo or the Teletubbies,” said Paige.
Henry sighed. “I tell you what…Kristie should go in with you and I’ll watch the girls. My back is pretty sore and I probably won’t be much help bent over and staring at the ground.”
“See, you need me. I’m coming with,” said Kristie.
“Why don’t I just go?” asked Paige.
Kristie turned and looked at her. “You need to keep Kylie calm. Plus, you know what Kris looks like, so if you see her outside, you can get her attention. Obviously, Henry’s never met her.”
Paige bit the side of her lip. “Oh, fine. Just be careful, mom.”
Kristie raised her gun and smiled “Don’t worry, honey. I’m getting the hang of this thing. I can shoot at my target from over two feet away, now. Plus, I have Tiny on my side of the ring.”
“That’s right,” said Tiny, flexing his muscles. “And I’m bringing out the big guns, mama.”
Paige groaned.
“Okay Tarzan, just remember what I said and make it quick,” said Henry. “Not only will I have to poop, but it’s going to be dark soon. This place might not have a generator working inside anymore and you two don’t want to be stuck alone on the tenth floor in the dark.”
“Oh, I don’t know…I could think of worse things,” said Kristie, smiling slyly at Tiny.
Henry shook his head. “Don’t even think about it. You lose sight of what you’re doing in there and the only one enjoying your bootie will be the zombies. Keep your pants on, both of you.”
“Oh, for Heaven’s sake we’re not a couple of teenagers,” said Kristie.
“No, but women can’t seem to control themselves around us. It’s always been a curse in our family; if you want to know the truth,” said Henry.
Paige rolled her eyes. “Oh, Lord…here we go again…”
“It isn’t funny. Why do you think my back is so messed up? Not just cause I fell earlier today. Back when I worked the rodeo, it wasn’t the horses or bulls that rode me hard.” He took off his cowboy hat and scratched his head. “Too bad you couldn’t claim disability on that.’
“You’re incredible,” said Paige, not really believing him anymore.
“I am but you’re a little young for me. So don’t get any ideas,” he said with a light in his watery blue eyes.
“I’ll try to control myself,” she mumbled.
“Okay, we’re out of here,” said Kristie. “And you watch your mouth around my girls, Henry.”
Henry looked appalled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re looking tired gramps, why don’t you just take a nap,” said Tiny.
“You just remember my warnings,” grumbled Henry.
Tiny and Kristie gave each other a kiss for good measure, then got out and bolted towards the front entrance. Two zombies began to follow them immediately but Tiny took them out with his rifle.
“You know, I think I’m just going to rest my eyes,” said Henry. “Let me know when they come back out.” He then laid his head back and placed his hat over his face.
“You doing okay?” Paige asked Kylie.
Kylie nodded. “Yeah, but a little hungry.”
Paige leaned over and started digging through the bag of snacks next to her. “Chips?”
Kylie’s eyes lit up. “What kind?”
Paige sighed, thinking about Cassie who loved those particular chips. “Well, there’s some dill pickle flavored kettle chips.”
“Yum, I’ll take some.”
She handed Kylie this chips and opened up a can of grape soda for herself. “You want any?” she asked.
Kylie shook her head. “No. I still have some water from before.”
“Okay.”
Henry began to snore and both girls smiled at each other.
“He’s a lot quieter when he’s sleeping,” whispered Paige.
“No doubt.”
Paige watched as two zombies stumbled by the van without even looking towards them. “Not very good at hunting for their food, are they? Maybe they’ll die off soon.”
“They’re already dead,” said Kylie.
Paige sighed. “Fine, I mean hopefully they’ll just stop “being”.
Kylie nodded. “There’s too many of them. The ones who aren’t shot or killed by the living will eventually run out of food. Mark my words, a year from now, the zombies won’t be a problem.”
“Hope you’re right.”
“Me, too.”
“You know, they must be eating all of the poor dogs and cats too,” said Paige, her face turning white. “I haven’t seen any animals since Minnesota.”
Kylie’s eyes filled with tears. “All of those poor defenseless animals. They don’t even have a clue and their owners are eating them. It’s so… sick.”
“I hadn’t even thought about that. That’s such a horrible image,” said Paige, closing her eyes. “I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight.”
“You know, I wonder if Goldie’s doing okay?”
Goldie was the Golden Retriever puppy that Cassie and Bryce had saved from the zombies. Kylie had also fallen in love with the pup but unfortunately they hadn’t seen her since she’d disappeared with Dave and his group.
“I wonder how Megan and Bobby are doing, too” said Paige. “They’re so little. They must be terrified.”
“Actually, Bobby seemed to be enjoying running over zombies,�
� said Kylie. “He thought it was a game.”
There had been a total six people in the other vehicle, besides the dog, Goldie. Cassie, Dave, Bryce, Sara and her two year old daughter Megan, and six year old Bobby. Eva’s dog, Chi Chi, had fled once Eva had turned into a zombie.
Paige frowned. “Great. I have to pee.”
“You shouldn’t have guzzled that entire can of soda,” said Kylie.
Paige burped. “Too late now. Listen, I’m going to sneak out and pee behind that car across the street.”
“I should come with you, it’s not safe to go by yourself,” said Kylie.
“No, stay here with Henry,” she said, looking at him. He was still snoring with drool running down his chin. “He might freak out if he wakes up and we’re both gone.”
Kylie sighed. “Well, okay, just hurry back. Don’t forget your bat.”
Paige grabbed the bat and then quietly slid the van door open. She looked back at her little sister, who was biting her lower lip. “Don’t be scared,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
“Just hurry, Paige. I don’t want you to get attacked by a zombie.”
She lifted the bat in the air. “They’re too scared to come after me. Don’t worry,” she said to Kylie, who was smiling nervously.
“Okay,” said Kylie.
Paige slid the door shut and then went to find a safe spot to pee. She looked around quickly and saw that there were a couple of zombies near the C.D.C. entrance, but neither seemed to notice her.
She went around to the other side of the van and quickly crossed the street, ducking behind an old Buick Century. She unzipped her pants and sighed, finding relief. When she was finished, she stood up and smiled at Kylie, who was watching her from the van window. A look of horror crossed Kylie’s face and she began motioning with her hands. Before Paige could turn around someone grabbed her from behind, threw her over their shoulder, and took off running.
Chapter Six
Carly returned to their room an hour later. She looked slightly disheveled but her eyes sparkled with victory.
“So I take it everything went well?” asked Kris, who was sitting at a table playing solitaire.
She nodded and sat down. “Oh, yeah. That guy was so frisky; I could have probably talked him into anything.”
Kris sighed and then leaned forward at the table, resting her chin on her palm. “I still feel guilty that I allowed you to leave with him knowing he was going to put his paws you. I’m a mother of two girls, I should find that totally unacceptable.”
She grabbed a hair brush and ran it through her curls. “Oh…you have nothing to feel guilty about; I didn’t do anything I didn’t want to. Besides, it really didn’t get very far.”
She sighed. “Well, that makes me feel a little better. I was really worried that you were doing something you didn’t really want to. So, um…did you find out anything about Allie?”
Her face became serious. “I am almost one hundred percent sure that she’s alive. They’re definitely guarding someone or something in that research lab.”
She stood up. “Did Mike tell you that?”
“He didn’t have to. Two very serious looking soldiers stood outside guarding the doors.”
“But you didn’t actually see her?”
“I didn’t but one of the scientists brought something into the room that made it obvious.”
“What?”
Carly smiled. “A package of double-stuffed Oreo cookies.
From their many conversations about Kris’s family, even Carly knew that it was Allie’s favorite snack. She completely obsessed over them. Cassie had a thing for pickles and Allie had one for Oreo’s.
“I have to go to her,” muttered Kris, standing up. She began to pace. “She’s probably wondering where I am.”
“It isn’t going to be easy to do with those guards posted.”
Kris scratched her head. “Well, then I’ll just need to create some sort of a distraction.”
Carly nodded. “That might be your only hope.”
The plan they came up with was kind of weak, but they didn’t know what else to do. Carly would go on another rendezvous with the soldier, get him liquored up and take his gun.
“Then we’ll set off a couple of the fire alarms and hopefully the guards will leave the door to investigate. If they do, you can sneak in and get Allie the hell out of there.”
“I have a bottle of tequila,” said Carly, unzipping her backpack. “I found it hidden in the cafeteria yesterday. Nobody claimed it so I grabbed it. Now I’m so glad I did.”
“Do you think he’ll drink any of it?” asked Kris.
She snorted. “Oh, yeah. He’s already complained about how much he misses his rum and cokes. When he sees this and the promise of a little party with yours truly, I have a feeling that he’ll jump on it. He’s still just a young and horny guy,” she smiled. “Even the zombie apocalypse can’t change that.”
“Okay, I hope this works,” said Kris.
“It has to,” she said. “It’s all we got.”
A couple of hours later, Carly disappeared with an overjoyed soldier and Kris waited on pins and needles. She was more than a little scared of what they were about to do, but there was no way anyone was going to keep her away from Allie. She would find her and leave this place, regardless of what was happening in the outside world. It was easier dealing with the enemies you knew rather than the ones you didn’t, and right now she didn’t trust anyone but Carly.
An hour later Carly showed up out of breath and with a rifle. “Let’s go,” she said, nervously. “He’s passed out but I don’t know how long that’s going to last.”
“Wow, you must have poured it down his throat,” said Kris.
Carly smiled. “Let’s just say he’s all talk when it comes to drinking. He’s a sloppy drunk.”
“I guess that’s unfortunate for him but very good for us.”
“Yeah. You ready?
“Maybe we should hide the rifle.”
“I’m going to put a blanket over it so the other soldiers don’t notice,” said Carly, grabbing the cover from her cot.
“Okay,” said Kris.
“Let’s go.”
They left the room with Carly leading the way. Kris followed her to the other side of the hospital and fortunately they weren’t questioned by anyone. In fact they didn’t even run into any soldiers.
“So, where are all the soldiers?” asked Kris.
“Mike mentioned that the zombies were starting to get thick out there so they’ve been working on paneling up the windows near the entrance.”
Kris raised her eyebrows. “More zombies? That’s another problem. How are we going to get out of this place once we find Allie?”
Carly smiled and held up a set of keys. “Forgot to mention this but Mike and I were partying in an ambulance. When he passed out I grabbed the keys.”
“Good thinking,” smiled Kris. “You know, I don’t think I could have done this without your help.”
“Well, we haven’t done it yet.”
“Still, thanks for everything.”
Carly squeezed her shoulder. “You’re welcome, hon.”
They continued on until Carly stopped at one of the waiting rooms. “Okay,” she said. “Through that door is the hallway that leads to the research lab. I’m sure the soldiers are still guarding it. Why don’t you hide behind the patient check-in counter while I start working on a few little distractions.”
“Okay.”
“You know, you should probably take the rifle,” she said handing it over, “since you’re the one going in there. Do you know how to use it?”
Kris shrugged. “Yes. I’m just not a very good shot.”
“Well, either am I but it looks impressive when you’re staring into the barrel from the other end.”
Kris chuckled. “It sure does. Good Luck.”
“You too. I’ll pull some fire alarms and then be back.”
“Um…what if someone c
atches you?”
Carly tossed her the keys. “Then you’re on your own. The ambulance is downstairs parked in the emergency entrance.”
“Be careful,” said Kris.
“You too, lady.”
Carly ran off and Kris knelt down behind the counter. Less than two minutes later, sirens were blasting throughout the hospital. The doors burst open and two soldiers hurried by.
“You think the zombies got through?” asked one of them.
“I hope so. I’m bored off my ass.”
When they were gone, Kris snuck quietly to where the soldiers had abandoned their post. She sighed with relief to find nobody around and quietly opened the door to the laboratory. It was dark except for a small light in the back of the room. She heard murmurs and crept quietly towards the sound.
“Is there a fire?” asked a small voice that made Kris’s heart sing. Tears of joy filled her eyes.
“I don’t think so,” replied Dr. Hill in a low voice. “But put these shoes on just in case we have to move you to a different room.”
“Okay. Where’s my mom, do you think she’s safe?”
“Actually, I’m right here, Allie,” said Kris, stepping out of the shadows. She raised the rifle and pointed it at Dr. Hill. “Alive and well. I see we have that in common.”
Allie, who was twelve but looked so very small in her hospital gown, squealed in delight and moved towards her mom. “Mom! Oh, my God…I’ve been waiting for you all day. Where have you been?”
Without taking her eyes off of the doctor, she said, “Actually, honey, I’ve been trying to find you.”
Allie looked in confusion at the rifle, which was still trained on Dr. Hill. “Mom, what are you doing?”
“Just protecting us.”
He smiled uncomfortably. “Um, Mrs. Wild…there’s no need for that firearm. I’m not a threat to you or your daughter.”
Her eyes blazed. “Oh, really? In that case, why in the hell did you tell me that my daughter was dead?”
He sighed. “It wasn’t my idea. I was just following orders. Now please, put down the rifle.”
Kris shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. Say goodbye to Dr. Hill, Allie, we’re leaving.”
Dead Endz Page 3