Victoria looked back at the supermarket with a tear in her eye. She wiped it away with a calloused hand. She never got to tell Damon how she really felt. Suddenly, she regretted every mean thing she ever said to him.
When they returned to the safe zone, Marco met them at the front gate. Chloe’s tears told him what he needed to know. He opened the gate, and Harper pulled through. The same group of nagging survivors was walking up to them with their hands on their hips. Their faces were pinched in disgust. Without even acknowledging that Damon wasn’t among them, they started in on the blazer’s occupants. “That’s it?”
Harper was just getting out of the blazer to hear. “You’ve got to be kidding me? There is a whole fucking trailer load. Don’t you even give a shit that Damon isn’t here?” He boomed. His deep voice cracked with anger. He glared at all the people staring dumbly at the big marine. “You know what?” The group took a step back. “You guys can get your own shit next time. Count yourself out of this one. I’m done with you.”
“He’s right!” Victoria agreed. She had one hand on her hip and another on her sword. “You ungrateful pieces of shit! Why don’t you show some freaking appreciation? These guys risk their lives for you every day and today--” Her voice broke. “We lost a good man. He sacrificed his life to save us…to make sure you can eat. So you can stay safe.” She took the depressed teenager by the shoulder and started walking towards the fire station.
Riley stood toe to toe with the group. “Consider this your last warning. Next time you bitch. You go out there.” He pointed beyond the fence. Two zombies stumbled towards the fence. They intertwined their dead fingers in the chain-link. The group looked down at their feet and faded away. They muttered apologies as they left. Riley watched as Harper dealt with the zombies at the gate. Two on-lookers volunteered to help unload the supplies at the headquarters.
When Chloe and Victoria got back she broke away from the woman and ran inside. She ran passed Liz without a word. Lucky meowed loudly but went unnoticed. The orange and cream tabby trotted after the teenager tail in the air.
“I can’t believe he’s gone.” Liz said when Victoria shared the story. Victoria nodded but remained silent. Riley came up behind her. “The asshole shouldn’t have did it. We would have thought of something.” Victoria squeezed her stinging eyes shut.
“There was no way to get to him.” Harper squeezed Liz’s hand. “Not unless we had that camelback outside the city limits.” For months he wanted to get the Humvee with the turret inside the perimeter.
Riley nodded. “Maybe he made it out…” The others stayed quiet, not sure they believed him. Everyone retired early. Harper and Liz went back to his house. Riley decided to spend the night with Kya. Victoria sat alone in the truck bay staring at the wall mindlessly playing with her sword. Her chest ached like someone punched a whole right through her. The tears came later. She didn’t want to go back to the apartment nor did she want to stay in the firehouse. Countless minutes passed when she finally decided to leave. She paced the perimeter of the safe zone watching the landscape change behind the chain-link. Her stomach dropped when she thought of Damon. Her knees gave out and she sobbed in the immature grass.
A lonesome week passed. The general demeanor of the safe zone was somber. One of the nights they had a service for Damon even with resistance from Chloe and Riley. It was short and sweet, the same old stuff that’s said at every funeral.
Chloe paced the fence one warm morning like she did every day since they left Damon. Honey gold light kissed her cheeks. Her green eyes scanned beyond the chain-link through the lush evergreens and cinnamon tipped grass. She was sick every day. With Damon gone, Chloe realized how much she cared about him. It felt like the loss of her parents all over again. She hated this world.
She remembered the day Damon found her she thought she was dreaming up the man that wore a white shirt and blue jeans; that she had finally gone insane. When the man turned to leave her, her body shocked her into speaking with a voice she hadn’t heard in months. She also remembered the horror in mind when he turned to leave her behind. When she spoke, she saw his eyes. There was so much darkness. Those eyes had seen as much death and terror as her own. Through the abyss she saw light, enough so that she was able to get into the Silverado that day. Chloe sighed. That was almost two years ago now.
Damon was gone; the teen knew she was going to have to accept it sooner or later. She was about ready to turn back to the station. Victoria wanted her to go over the Book of Survivors with her. Her young eyes saw something just then, something on the interstate. Her nose smelled diesel. The blue dot got bigger, and that’s when Chloe heard the roar of a semi engine. Her heart leapt in her throat. She knew it wasn’t possible, but her body refused to listen. It must be more people…more people to feed. The rig was pulling a white trailer with the name WALMART stamped on the side. She used the binoculars Harper loaned her, and when she peered through them she shouted with joy. A man with shaggy brown hair dressed in a white T-shirt with dark eyes sat behind the wheel bouncing with the movement of the truck. Tears of joy flooded from the teenager without reservation. Her chest fluttered. Could it really be? She lifted the walkie to her lips and pressed the red button. It was her constant connection with Riley. “Riley! Get the guys and get down to the gate!”
“What is it?” “Just get down here, okay?” “Okay. Okay. Don’t get a hernia.”
Chloe worked the chain-link gate open when the semi was close. The teen was nearly jumping like a pogo stick when the semi finally stopped inside the perimeter. The door to the semi opened, and the driver stepped carefully down the side of the cab. Chloe ran full force into him and wrapped her skinny arms around his torso. “I missed you too.” Damon’s voice was dry but steady. He wrapped his thick arms around the teen. He knelt down to her level. His eyes met hers. “Chloe…I love you like you’re my own kid.” The teen wiped away a tear. “I will never leave you again.”
“Love you too, Damon.” After a moment she looked up at him. “You stink.” She choked through the waterworks.
Damon smiled. “Thanks.” He said just when the other showed up. Riley flashed his radiant smile. “Son of a bitch…” He clapped Damon on the back with a loud thud. “Boy I’m happy to see you. I knew you made it.”
“Yeah…While you were gone he thought he was head honcho around here. We damn near had a mutiny on our hands.” Chloe interrupted. Her voice was still choked up. She whipped her eyes with her sleeve.
Harper shook Damon’s hand tightly. “Good to see you got out with your skin in one piece.” Harper looked over the blackish zombie blood on Damon’s not so white T-shirt.
“The leather held up.” Damon nodded at the big marine, and then looked at Macro who walked up with Victoria at his side. The Latino gave the mechanic a loose hug. He moved in front of Victoria and locked eyes with her. Damon could tell she was crying. This made his chest wrench. When he was gone Victoria haunted most of his thoughts. She reached out to Damon and clasped her arms around his neck. “Damon...I’m sorry-”
Before Victoria could finish Damon drew back and cupped her pointed chin in his dirty hands. He planted his lips squarely on hers. “You don’t’ have anything to be sorry about.” He said when he pulled away. “I’m the one who’s sorry, Victoria. Sorry for the way I treated you.” He kissed her again. Even though he heard the teenager and Riley mutter ‘Eeeww.’ “Can you ever forgive me?” His mahogany eyes stared deep into hers.
Victoria squeezed him tighter. “Yes.” She took a step back. “But don’t you ever do something like that again.” They shared another kiss.
“Geez guys get a room. Yuck.” Chloe stuck her tongue out distorting her face. “Now what did you bring me?” She wanted to change the subject.
Damon laughed and let Victoria go. He walked around to the back of the semi and unlatched the door. The metal door rumbled loudly as it shot upward revealing the contents of the trailer. “This should tide us over for a while. That is unless
the Denver Broncos find us.” The group was in awe of the supplies. Countless pallets were stacked in front of them. “Let’s see, we got canned goods, boxed dinners, junk food, candy, pet food and for Marco…” He grabbed a can of refried beans and tossed it him. Marco smiled. “I think there’s some tortillas back there somewhere.” He looked back at Victoria and Chloe. “I even put a pallet of girly stuff in there.”
By the time Damon was done describing what was in the semi nearly the entire population of the safe zone was standing in a semicircle around the group. “Three cheers for Damon!” Someone shouted. The crowd echoed a hip-hip-hooray. He even pulled out some toys for the kids. They followed Damon back to the fire station and waited for him to park the semi.
“What happened back there Damon?” Chloe asked. Everyone waited for the story. Damon sat on the end of the trailer. “It’s a long story.” “Come on let’s hear it.” Another person in the crowd said.
Damon sighed but thought it was best to get it over with. “Well after I told you guys to go I saw an opening in the crowd…very small, but I took it. I took one of the phones off the pipe bombs and attracted the zombies. I ran through the door. I did a couple laps around the store, and when I had a big crowd of them I threw the bomb in the middle. Boom! That took care of most of them. I threw another one just in case. I was out of ammo so I used what I had. Since I had a little time I snatched a cart and hit the camping section. Broke the gun case open and took all of ‘em.” Victoria brought him a glass of water. Damon took a long drink and then continued. “The zombies were on to me once they heard me break the case so I ran. I was able to go through the fishing stuff and grabbed some poles and tackle. I was able to get some of that freeze dried food before they found me. I ran back to the warehouse but when I got there, the door was still surrounded by zombies. I was pretty much surrounded too, so I left the cart and ran back to the break room. I stayed there until the zombies forgot about me. I waited for what I thought was a few days. When I came out again they were milling about like before…like I was never there. I tossed another bomb and then took off for the warehouse. I blocked both the doors when I got in. I couldn’t block the bay door so I had to wait again just make sure there weren’t any more zombies. When we originally came I saw the semi in the parking lot not far from the loading dock. Very carefully…and quietly I ran for it. Luckily, it had the keys in it. Along with the former driver…I nearly lost my jugular to him but I killed him. I backed up the semi to the loading docks and started packing it up. I put as much in the trailer as I could. The warehouse is pretty much empty now.” He looked at Harper and Riley. “That reminds me. Sometime we need to go back for the Silverado. We just can’t leave the death machine, yanno.” He went back to his story. “Since it was so late when I finished loading I slept at the very top of a shelving unit. The next day I started home…and here I am.”
“And we are so glad you are.” Victoria said embracing him. “Mostly me…” She whispered.
Damon took a deep breath. “Me too. It smells better here.” After the group left Damon and Victoria went to the river to relax…and for Damon to clean off. Harper, Riley and Marco spent the rest of the day unpacking the semi and cataloging all the provisions. Damon and Victoria returned when they finished. Each retired for the evening. Damon went to the barracks and lay on the warm cot. He couldn’t explain the happiness he felt being back. He breathed deeply. Since he returned with supplies the survivors were happier too. On their way back from the river Victoria showed Damon where they started farming. It was in the clearing next to the homes. They had used her horses to plow fields. It seemed things were going great in the safe zone. Damon let his shoulders relax, and he closed his eyes.
Chapter 50
The spring air grew warmer as another two weeks passed. Damon was thrilled to discover that the wildlife was coming back. He watched a brown Labrador chase a squirrel up a green maple tree. A variety of storks, ducks and loons surrounded the grassland around the river. The hunting parties were bringing back deer and elk. Riley currently had the record for biggest elk. His next target was a buffalo. The survivors were performing their duties on a daily basis. The streets stayed clean of debris and the abandoned cars were pushed to the curbs or parked in parking spaces. The safe zone actually looked like a small town.
Damon and Victoria had started taking walks around the perimeter every night. His feelings for the woman were growing stronger. When he was stuck in the supermarket he came to terms with the fact that his wife was gone, and it was okay to move on. Chloe reinforced the fact every time he showed doubts. That night he had planned a special dinner for the two of them on the roof of the fire station.
The mechanic watched the sun set in a symphony of orange and purple. He made the finishing touches as the moon rose, and the sky turned a deep shade of blue. He heard a knock on the rooftop door. He straightened his plaid button down shirt, which Chloe had picked out for him. He dusted off before he opened the door. He let out his breath when he saw that it was Chloe. “How do I look?” He combed his mane with one hand.
The teenager smiled. “Great.” She picked a piece of string off his shirt and plucked a hair out of his neck. “She’ll love it.” “Hold on a second” He eyed her face narrowly. “Are you wearing make-up?” He noticed that her cheeks were a little pinker, and her lips were red.
“Maybe…” She said shyly.
Damon smiled. “What are you up to tonight?” “Me and Tyler are going to the Welcome Center today. More people came in, and I need to update my book. And someone said they have like a crazy, amazing story how they got here. They had to fight like a ton of zombies or something. We’ll see. After that though, we are going to Luigi’s for dinner.” Damon knew the restaurant. It was opened by a couple of survivors to make it feel more like a town. Every few nights the family made an Italian dinner. The portions were a lot smaller than Damon was used to, but nobody seemed to mind.
“Sounds like a plan. Don’t be out too late.” Chloe shook her head. “What could it hurt to be out late? There are no more school nights you know?” She went to leave. “Good luck tonight.”
The door closed behind Chloe as she left. Damon waited until he couldn’t hear her footsteps anymore. He moved back over to the table and pressed the play button on the CD player he had set up and lit white taper candles. He sat and surveyed his surroundings. As quickly as he sat down he stood again and hurriedly blew out the candles. He shut off the music. Too much. Then he realized he couldn’t see across the table too well. He lit the candles again. “All this indecision over me?” Victoria’s sweet voice startled him. Zombies he could deal with but not women.
He jumped and turned. His mouth went dry when he saw her. She was dressed in a tight low cut long sleeve dress the color of the night sky. He imagined what her long legs looked like underneath the black leggings she wore. Damn the cool temperature. Damon watched her plump breasts rise and fall in the flickering light. “You look great.” He said dumbly.
“Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.” The night disguised her blushing cheeks. She glided across the roof and met Damon at the table.
He held out the folding chair for her. “I’m glad you made it.” He looked around her. “What? No sword?” “Well I had to shuffle a few appointments around.” She laughed. “I wouldn’t have missed it.” Victoria sat down in the chair and slid closer to the table. “Don’t worry it’s close by.”
Damon watched her dark eyes dance in the candlelight. His brain went crazy as he flashed back to the night at her apartment. He didn’t know what to say; he felt like he was back in high school again. He didn’t love the feeling, but he wasn’t complaining either. “I hope you like the food tonight. I made it myself.” He lifted up covers over the food. “It’s elk steak, corn and macaroni.”
She laughed, not in shame but in glee. “This is my first home cooked meal that I’ve had in a long time.” The two ate their dinner over everyday conversation. The stars twinkled in the black sky as t
he night progressed. Damon leaned over the small table and kissed Victoria when he ran out of things to say. She met him eagerly.
A scream interrupted them. Damon snapped up. “What the hell?” From his vantage point he saw a white SUV as it crashed through the gate and careen into the Welcome Center. It erupted into flames almost immediately. Damon snatched up a spyglass that lay under the air conditioning ducts. That’s when the scariest part was realized. A horde of zombies was pursuing the car. He had a feeling they were from the store or the prison. They always find me. “We gotta go.” Victoria didn’t question and followed Damon down the stairs. Their quick steps echoed as they jogged. He was shouting for Harper and Riley when he hit the bottom but ran into Marco. “Where’s Riley and Harper?”
“I don’t know, Homes. What’s the rush?” He was sitting with a beautiful Latino woman with long eyes lashes. She was perched happily in his lap and stroked his tattooed face. Damon had seen her around the safe zone before but never caught her name.
“A car crashed into the gate and there are a ton of zombies coming our way.”
Marco flew off the chair knocking the woman to the floor. “What are we gonna do?” “We gotta block the gate before the zombies get inside. It will be hard to keep everyone safe if they get in.” Damon was serious. He snatched up his guns. “And don’t get eaten.”
Marco nodded and grabbed his pistol that lay on the table in front of him. He kissed his woman. “Bye, baby. I’ll be back. Stay inside.” He followed Damon and Victoria out the door.
Damon barely realized that Victoria had strapped her sword to her back. Damon handed her his pistol and another clip. When they walked outside they heard more screaming. “Let’s get that gate blocked.”
“I’ll drive this rig and park it in front of the hole.” Marco tapped on the semi. He jumped into the cab and fired the engine up when Damon nodded. “That should slow them down.”
Zombie Revolution Page 28