by Thomas Baker
He woke up to the sound of rustling and banging pots. Zombies got in! The thought woke him right up. Harold jumped out of bed, ready to put his contingency plans into motion. Then he remembered the woman he had picked up the day before. He couldn't remember her name. It was probably her. He tied his robe around his naked body and went out.
"Hey there's the sleepy head," said Barb as a cheerful greeting. She whirled around the kitchen like a mini tornado. " I didn't see you again last night, so I crashed on your couch. I figured I was probably overwhelming for you. I have had a few ex boyfriends tell me that. I hope you don't mind, I went through your kitchen and helped myself. Fixed us both some breakfast. Looking around here, I figured it had been awhile since someone did something nice for you."
Harold shook his head, trying to clear his fog of confusion. A part of him was very angered at this intrusion but another felt touched by a gesture that before had only came from his mother. Then he felt himself harden beneath his robe.
"Thank you," he made himself reply. He sat down, uncomfortable with her presence. He snatched glances at her as they ate.
"I know it's just some simple oatmeal and toast, but it taste like Fillet Mignon after eating canned food for so long." Harold shoveled in the food as fast as he could, so he didn't have to talk. Barb was just the opposite, full of questions. "So why don't you stay there? At Safe Haven? If you don't mind me asking,"
"I prefer my home," Harold mumbled with his mouth full.
"Okay, guess I can understand that. I wouldn't want to live by myself but to each their own."
Harold grunted.
"When can we go?" Barb said as she scooped up her empty bowl and tossed it into the sink. She stood there, looking at Harold, bouncing on her heels.
"As soon as you are ready. We will have to go out to my boathouse. We will take a boat across the lake. On the other side I have a little jeep that will take us the there."
"Great!" Barb said, giddy. "You finish eating. It will only take me a moment to get my stuff together and I will be ready to go."
She gave Harold a bright smile. "Guess it's lucky I ran into you. I'll count my blessings that I won't have to walk all the way there."
"No. No you won't."
Several hours passed as the seven of them rummaged through the store, gathering what they wanted. JT grabbed several handfuls of jerky sticks, some candy bars and a few bottles of Gatorade and stuffed them in his backpack. Some more batteries and another flashlight as well. It was still hard to get use to the fact you just couldn't flip a switch and presto let there be light.
After everyone had their turn at the rummage sale, they all gathers in the diner. Dim sunlight threw splotches on the peeling wallpaper. They all sat around two tables shoved together. JT kept shifting in his chair. The cracked and worn out vinyl made for a uncomfortable experience. Guess if that's the price I have to pay for a nice, relatively safe place to stop, I'll take it.
JT took a look at each person as he munched on some of the beef jerky. Everyone seemed cooled off from their first encounter. Some, like Gus and Hannah were even chit chatting with the others. Dusty just glared back as their eyes locked. He hoped he wasn't going to have problems with that guy. He had seen enough of his type back when he was a bouncer. Military men, they always thought they were hot shit. It was even worse when they were drunk and thought they could be cute and cocky towards him. He always got a kick out of wiping those holier-than-thou looks off their faces when he got to throw their asses out on the street.
"So JT," Gus said, turning his head to face him. "Sarge and Alan have seen these "Safe Haven" signs pop up in the last couple of days. What do we think about that? Have you seen them? Think it's a real place?"
"I will say it again, I think it's a trap," Dusty answered before JT could even think to reply. "There is no place safe anymore. It's probably just some low lives who would rob you and kill you,"
"Or it could be where other survivors are," said Ashley. "I haven't seen the signs, but it sounds great. We could finally be safe. Everyone could get a shower too. I am tired of smelling like a man."
There were lots of looks down at the table and around the room at her comment. JT thought a moment about what they said before responding.
"It is possible there is someplace like that. People would want to stick together, there is strength in numbers," JT offered.
"That's my thought," Gus said. "I would expect people to get together. Block off somewhere safe. The signs just started showing up, it's got to be somewhere close by. I think we should look for it."
"You mean like all of us together?" Hannah asked.
"You expect us to trust you just like that?" Dusty asked, glaring at JT. "Gus, you can't be serious. Their actions were out of line."
"My actions! I had a bat and you were charging into where my friend was. You pulled a gun and stuck it in my face," Hannah said, getting loud."You didn't ask us if we were OK, if we were hurt or needed help! JT saved us when this all started. If not for him Ashley and I would probably be dead. You guys show up, the first people we've seen and you....you.." Hannah's voice cracked.
Hannah got up from the table, knocking her chair back as she stood up. She fled to a corner booth, Ashley following behind her.
"You happy now dick head?" JT said while roughly cracking his knuckle. He was having that all too familiar burning feeling in his chest. He always got it when his temper started to bubble up.
"Gentleman, this isn't high school," Gus joked, trying to ease the tension.
JT sat back in his chair, arms folded, looking across the table at Dusty.
Dusty returned his look.
"You think looking for this Safe Haven is a smart idea kid?" Dusty said through clenched teeth.
"Man. We all need to work together ya know? Like a team or something. You know what I'm saying?" Tyrone interjected.
"I haven't even decided if I am joining anyone yet. I don't care about Safe Haven one way or another," Said Alan. It was the first thing he had said since they had all gone inside the truck stop. He got up from the table, grabbing the box of Cheerios he had been snacking on, and headed towards the corner booth. He slid in beside Ashley and said something to her. Ashley turned around and gave her best fake cough to get Tyrone's attention. When Tyrone looked over Ashley smiled sweetly and nodded her head for him to join them. Tyrone seemed embarrassed with himself as he gathered up his stuff and followed suit.
"OK men," Gus started mockingly. "Clearly you two are the alpha males here. Now how do we come up with a plan that benefits us all instead of fighting over the same banana?"
"We keep moving," Dusty answered. "The bigger the group the slower you move. Safe Haven sounds like a lunch buffet just waiting for a pack of zombies to chow down on it. I am fine with just me and Gus moving along. He knows his way around a gun and has other skills that are useful. What do you bring to the table exactly big shot?"
"Awe shucks," Gus said. "Flattery won't get you as far with me as a ten dollar bill Dusty."
Gus was totally ignored as both men leaned forward, faces inches from each other.
JT tried to stay calm but it felt like a losing battle. He pressed on anyway. "Listen jackass, what about the benefits of a larger group? Strength in numbers? The different skills everyone brings? How about just being a good person and doing the right thing? I found Hannah and Ashley, they were alone. I could've easily ignored them and ran but I didn't. I saw them in trouble and I helped them. I can handle myself just fine. I won't slow anyone down. Especially some prick like you."
"Someone like me is trained and equipped to deal with situations like this. You on the other hand look like a worthless civilian," Dusty said.
JT put his hands in his lap, balling his hands into fists. He struggled with holding down the urge to punch Dusty in the face. Who did this guy think he was? Did he really think himself better than everyone else? Typical GI.
"How about this," Dusty continued, "Gus and I will take the girls with
us. They would be a lot safer than with some young hothead who's probably only helped them in the hopes of getting laid. You, Tyrone and Alan can find your own way to wherever you're heading. It can be Safe Haven for all I care."
"Dusty! Now come on. Don't be so cocky," Gus jumped in, trying to be the peacekeeper again. "We're not leaving anyone to fend for themselves. I may be just a dumb old man but I am willing to bet if we have a vote Dusty, you'll be the only one voting for your opinion."
"Dusty. You think you're so superior? Your training makes you so much better than us? How about we all leave you to go your own way?" JT smiled smugly at his words. "While by yourself, you can then die when you run into a overwhelming pack of zombies. Meanwhile the rest of us will fight and survive together."
Without waiting for a reply JT stalked off. Back on the truck stop side, he picked up a display case of cheap roadside trinkets and threw it against the wall. It shattered, spilling the plastic crap inside it all over the ground. Next he took out his frustration on a gondola still full of pet food, hammering his fists into the bags and eventually tipping the entire fixture over. Satisfied with that, he headed out the door hoping to find a way to the roof, where he could be alone and cool off.
Why the roof he didn't know, but it sounded like a good idea. In the back of the truck stop he found a metal ladder attached to the building. He climbed it and made his way past the air conditioner units to the front of the building.
JT didn't know how long he sat there, looking up at the sky, letting the chill of the night air cool him off inside and out. JT turned when he heard scraping noises on the edge of the roof. He jumped up, ready to attack. Gus's head popped over the side.
"Care if I join ya?" Gus said when he got closer. JT just grunted.
"After you left, ole Sarge gave it to me good," Gus said in exasperated tones, taking a seat next to JT. "Dusty said to me. 'You know what Gus? You want to be some voice of reason? You're responsible for the three of them. They turn on us or slow us down you're cut with them. You got it old man?'"
"Dusty sounds like a major asshole. Why you sticking with him?" JT asked.
"He's not so bad all of the time," Gus said. "He is skilled at taking out the zombies. He saved my bacon, that's for sure. Besides, I told Dusty it's none of our faults he has a bayonet permanently jammed up his ass."
JT laughed.
Gus laughed too. "Then he stomped off, flipping me the bird for good measure. Everyone else looked to me like they were trying to find a place to get comfortable for the night. I thought I would check in with you."
JT was satisfied that he wasn't the only one who walked off. His temper had been getting away from him all his life. He didn't like it but seemed powerless to stop it.
"Well young gun, now that it's just the two of us, shoot me straight. I can trust you can't I?"
"Yeah, man," JT said. "Gus, you seem like a cool guy, and Tyrone too. Alan seems alright though he doesn't talk much. Dusty can kiss my ass."
"I can respect that. I agree with you too. I want us all to stick together. I think I can get Dusty around to my point of view. You think you two can get along for the sake of all of us? Or at least try to co-exist?"
"Try? Yes. Succeed? Meh, probably not so much," JT had to admit.
Gus snorted laughter. They sat there in silence for a few minutes.
"This place, Safe Haven, you think it's legit Gus?"
"Well I don't know. But if you would have told me a year ago zombies could be real and tried to bite my balls off every other day I would've laughed at ya while I poured the creamer in my coffee. So I would say anything is possible these days."
"You make a valid point there," JT conceded.
"You know what really bugs me though young man?" Gus asked.
"What's that Gus?"
"The day the world went to shit was the same day I was sure they were finally gonna find Bigfoot on this show I always watched on TV. Now I might never know if that hairy bastard is real or not," Gus said, dead serious.
JT laughed aloud at the sheer randomness of the comment.
"I should wait before coming down. It would be better for everybody. I'll take watch for a few hours Gus," JT offered. "Why don't you hop down and let the others know. No need for two of us to be up here when you can be resting with them."
"Yeah I probably ought to be hitting the hay anyway," Gus said, rising. "I'll have to deal with a cranky Dusty in the morning. You sure you'll be alright up here?"
"Yeah man. I'll be fine. Hopefully somebody from your group will let me get a couple hours sleep tonight. Sound good?"
"I will put a bug in Alan's ear. If things get hairy, you just start banging on the roof young man. Good night JT. I have a feeling we'll be mighty damn glad we ran into each other."
"Good night Gus. Hopefully you're right and we can all just get along." JT stifled a yawn and waved Gus off.
Spring was turning into summer but at that moment it felt more like late winter. A wind blew across the roof, it's cool fingers raising goosebumps on JT's skin. JT crossed his arms and crouched his body down, shivering. Now was another time he wished that he didn't let his temper get the better of him. He wouldn't have impulsively come up here without bringing some of his supplies, like a jacket. Minutes became hours in the unchanging darkness of JT's watch. He couldn't keep himself from dwelling about how he should have knocked Dusty the arrogant prick on his ass. Like Gus said though, if they were traveling together, he was going to have to find a way to get along with Dusty.
JT was thankful for some time alone. Having some space of his own for awhile. It gave him a chance to clear his head and evaluate the day's events. To think about Gus's offer as well. Even as he tried, mostly his thoughts just kept coming back to Hannah.
Was he stupid for letting himself like this girl? If it wasn't, would she be interested in him? Could she ever be in this new world?
JT's eyes began to feel very heavy. He stood up but still kept hunched over. He began to pace back and forth. Then he stopped. For a moment he thought he saw movement across the road. He trained his eyes on that area waiting to see if it they were playing tricks on him in the dark.
After convincing himself it was just his imagination he walked along the roof to the edge that faced the back of the building. Looking off, he noticed something he found odd. A black Buick was off the pavement and into the grass.
He pulled out his flashlight and shined it over the vehicle. It was riddled with bullet holes. JT scanned his flashlight around the car. Another oddity, there appeared to be no signs of a body anywhere.
"Was somebody really that bad of a shot?" He asked himself aloud.
"Lots of people have guns, most don't know how to use them properly," came Alan's voice from below him. JT was so startled, he nearly fell off the roof.
"Fuck! Man you can't do that! I about shit my pants just now!"
"Sorry. Thought you heard me." Alan laughed, but not in a mean way. "I'm coming up. You can go lay down now."
"I appreciate it man, let me know if you need anything," JT was thankful to get inside, away from the biting wind.
Alan didn't really answer. He climbed up and just shrugged his shoulders, nodding at the same time.
JT gave Alan one last look before heading down the ladder. The man looked like he had it rough since the Outbreak.
Who is this guy? JT wondered, watching Alan rock back and forth from heel to toe as he stared up at the night sky.
JT awoke to the sounds of muffled voices. They sounded like they were arguing. Probably outside he was guessing. His body strained as he pulled himself up out of the booth he had passed out in. He almost stepped on Tyrone's head in the process. Instead of sleeping in a booth, he had stretched himself out on the floor, wrapped in some throws from the store side.
JT stepped over him. He stretched, his body popping and snapping in protest of his poor bed choice. I'm too young to be feeling this old. He looked out the window to see Gus and Dusty engaged in what app
eared to be an intense discussion. Dusty kept pointing a finger into Gus's chest. JT shook his head as he made his way towards the door.
"It's not worth it," came Alan's voice from behind him."Let him get his griping out. Gus can take it, then we'll all hit the road."
Alan offered JT a warm bottle of Dr Pepper. "Want one? They taste kind of like warm ass."
JT waved him off. "I'll pass on the ass for now, thanks."
JT looked around. The only other person he saw was Tyrone, who was still snoring away. "Do you happen to know where the girls might be?"
Alan pointed outside.
JT squinted as he walked out into the morning light. He used a hand to shield his eyes from the sun. Then he saw them. Ashley and Hannah were sitting atop one of the picnic tables.
"Well look who finally decided to get up," Dusty called over as JT made his way over to the ladies.
JT disregarded him with a wave of his arm.
"Morning," JT said, giving his best smile to Hannah.
"It was so great to sleep with a roof over our heads for a change. It was super."
Ashley's kitten like perk made him chuckle.
"Morning JT. We've been watching the fireworks show." Hannah gestured towards Dusty and Gus."How do you see things going forward?"
"Ladies, I honestly think that we should join up with Gus and his group. More people to watch our backs. Sound fine?"
"I know right!" Ashley answered. "It will be more people to talk to. No offense Hannah." She gave Hannah a smirk.
"Well last night I wouldn't have agreed with you," Hannah started, "but I was sitting here thinking while they hashed things out. Ashley and I talked it over. It could be a good idea. I overheard Gus even say he was for staying here for awhile. It was good to rest but I have a feeling this place won't be safe for long."