We passed a grouping of three homes, all vacant. Nothing moved, not even the wave of a curtain as we made our way back to the highway. The ghost town faded in the distance as I focused on the future and what was on the horizon.
I could breathe again once I saw the first highway sign—the simple 91 numbers and exit ramp. For some reason, the interstate, although packed with cars, had significantly fewer eaters than the towns.
When we walked to the hospital, a constant whisper floated over my back. Always on edge, my heart never stopped its rapid pace. But when we walked on the highway, there was some relief to the constant paranoia.
The chill in the air deepened overnight. The coolness felt uncharacteristic for September. If I was doing my math correctly, it was already September seventeenth. Wind rustled the trees, most leaves beginning their transformation for fall. The woods cast eery sounds of falling objects and breaking twigs while wildlife scattered around.
Once we accomplished our mission to get to Scarlet’s sister, I knew we’d have to find a place to stay long-term for the winter. We couldn’t be walking around in windbreakers when the temperatures dropped below freezing. Especially in clothes that didn’t fit and shoes that had worn down so much I swore I could feel the pavement through the soles.
We walked like ducks in a row, Jim leading the pack and Gabriel closing it out. I hovered somewhere in the middle, trailing off as I looked around. I’d lived in Connecticut most of my life, and as we walked along the highway, I realized that I’d been too busy to just take a second and look around.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Kev asked as he caught up to me. That said a lot since he could barely walk. I glanced up and put my arm under his to give him some extra support.
“I never stopped to just look. It’s so weird, right? What we miss from real life.” I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. “How are you feeling?” I glanced down at his leg, the white bandage tinted with yellowish, red puss that bled through.
“Other than a little throbbing around the cut, fine.”
“That’s a lot more than a cut.”
Kev laughed, and I chimed in.
“Hey, so…I don’t know if I should even mention this.”
“Then you probably shouldn’t,” I cut in, glaring over at his dark brown eyes. His face appeared pale, but he had gained some color back. Maybe cleaning the wound had fixed him.
“I’m sorry for the whole kidnapping thing.” He shrugged and nearly tripped over his own feet. I reached over with my free hand and pushed his chest up so he was straight again.
“Do you need a break?” I asked with a grunt.
“I think I’m okay.” I paused so he could balance again. He coughed, phlegm catching and gurgling in his throat. I turned away, squeezing my lips shut. I didn’t know how the infection transmitted, but his cough worried me.
“Stop,” I said as he tried to move forward. “They’ll wait for us. Don’t worry.”
“I don’t wanna drag ‘em down.”
“You’re not,” I promised. “I’m just as slow as you. Remember? You caught up to me.” I bent down so we were at eye level as he rested his hands on his knees, his back bent forward.
“Lana, I’ve been bitten. I’m not stupid.” He glared up at me through his long dark lashes.
“Sorry. Just trying to make you feel better.”
“I’m probably going to die,” he said as he breathed his way through another coughing fit. The cough sounded deadly, like he could keel over at any second.
“You don’t know that. And we don’t either. I support you and won’t let anything happen. I’m serious.” I met his gaze and held it, knowing the implication of my words. I’d have to follow through now.
“Why would you care about a guy who kidnapped you?”
“You’re a good guy,” I said with ease.
“I’m not talking about me,” he said. He stood up and wiped his mouth with the lower part of his shirt. “Let’s go.” He didn’t wait for an answer from me. He jogged, hopping over his hurt leg. He linked arms with Scarlet, who cast a suspicious look over her shoulder, her eyes narrowed at me.
We stopped for a quick break when the sun dipped down in the sky. If I had to guess I would say it was close to four. We hadn’t eaten any food since last night. My stomach ached as I sat on the pavement, criss-crossing my legs over each other. My body began to shake, my limbs threatening to give out with each movement. It was a struggle to pry open my eyes.
“We have to find food,” Scarlet whined. She positioned Kev against a tree at the perimeter of the woods, propping him up so that his leg was elevated by a rock. She came and sat beside me, not more than two steps from Kev. Jim and Gabriel ran ahead to find an exit, shelter, or just one of the many things we needed to live.
I nibbled on my fingernail as my mind raced. We had no food, no shelter, and no safety. I was sure that the guns were going to run out of ammo soon, too, despite the fact that we hadn’t even used them much. I didn’t even know how to check the ammo holder for more bullets.
We hadn’t passed an exit in a few miles. A lot fewer vehicles crowded the two-lane highway, so it was easy to see a good amount of distance ahead. The on-ramps had the largest amount of vacated cars, most in odd angles and crashed positions.
“There’s a sign,” Gabriel gasped. He ran towards us and stopped, both of his hands on his knees as he attempted to catch his breath.
“What kind of sign?” I asked him.
“A sign for food and shelter. Look.” He pointed past us, just around a bend in the road.
“How far does it say?” I asked.
“You can’t see?” Scarlet asked as her brown eyes darted to me. She hunched over, her back in an oval shape.
“I don’t have my glasses,” I said with a shrug. It hadn’t bothered me until now since I hadn’t had to read anything in days. But I couldn’t see the words on the sign for the life of me, only saw the square shape and bright blue background.
“About two miles off the highway,” Gabriel filled in.
“We’re not stopping for anything. There’s still plenty of light out.” Jim refused to make eye contact with me as he walked over to us. He reached past me and grabbed one of the bags of clothes, sifting through it. He found a NutriGrain Bar and tossed it on my lap, and then threw the bag over his shoulder.
“Where did you get this?” I leapt up and ran after him as he walked towards the outline of the trees. He didn’t answer me. I kept following, though, needing an answer. “Where, Jim?”
“I was saving it. It’s yours,” he ground out without facing me.
“Have some,” I said as I opened the package. Immediately my nostrils filled with the scents of honey and grain. My stomach murmured from the intoxicating smell alone. I broke off a piece and held it out in the palm of my hand. He paused.
“Thank you,” he whispered as he held out his hand. I dropped the small piece in his large hand, and his fingers curled around it. His eyes were glued to the parcel of food, droopy and tired like I suspected mine were. He bit the piece but refused to look at me, so I turned and walked away, meeting back up with the group.
“Here, guys.” I broke off equal pieces from the bar and handed each person one. I was left with only a few crumbs, but it was enough to hold me over until the next time we ate. We all deserved the food, not just me.
Just as I bent my knees to sit, Jim came over. He waved his arm like a shepherd. We were his sheep. Everyone stood and flocked towards him away from the sun.
“Hey, Gabriel,” Jim said over his shoulder not even five minutes later. “You want to lead off the highway? It’s too late to find another exit so we’ll have to crash close by. You can take charge.”
I furrowed my brows at Jim’s words. He had just told us we weren’t stopping, and now he gave up the reins. Gabriel glanced over at me with a look I was sure I shared. I shrugged as his eyes narrowed. Gabe walked past Scarlet and Kev and led us off the exit ramp towards the blue sign that promi
sed food.
Jim threaded his way backwards between the cars. He slowed his steps until we were side by side. I didn’t know his game, but it was obvious he wanted to talk by the way he kept glancing over at me, like he didn’t know I could see him. I bit the inside of my cheek to hold back a grin.
“Yeah?” I asked him. I was in a shit mood—hungry, tired, and sore from walking too much. At any moment I could burst into tears. I didn’t want more drama to get in my way. Whatever was going on between Jim and me was volatile and erratic at best. I couldn’t handle one more mood swing.
“Here.” He reached for my hand and lifted it. He placed his little chunk of the honey bar in the palm of my hand. I looked up at him with wide eyes. I could’ve cried it smelled so good. My mouth immediately watered. “I knew you were gonna give it all away.”
I glanced up at his dark blue eyes that smiled down at me. This stupid little square meant more than anything else in the world. This man had saved his food, knowing my next move. Maybe Jim did know me. Maybe he understood me. I shook my head and smiled.
“Split it?” I lifted a shoulder.
“If you must…”
I handed him half of the chunk, our fingers brushing. My tired body broke into excited jitters as his heat transferred into me. I looked through my lashes up at Jim, desire overwhelming all other thoughts.
“Guys!” Gabriel yelled from a few yards in front of us. The lust-induced spell between us broke, and I gasped. I shoved the piece of NutriGrain in my mouth and speed-walked behind Jim to catch up. “There’s a Sports Authority ahead. Should we go there?”
“Probably won’t have much food, but we could definitely use the ammo and camping equipment. I say ‘yeah,’” Jim said, and then he looked at me. I just nodded.
The building’s concrete was chipped at the corners. I grabbed onto the back of Jim’s long-sleeved black shirt as we all crept around to the back entrance in a single file line. A large gray gate blocked our entrance, two eaters behind the metal.
“Kill them first,” Jim said with a nod to Gabe. They both sauntered towards the gates. Jim pulled his knife from his back pocket and snaked his hand between the lines. He grabbed the eater by the back of the neck, tugged it forward so its head was pressed against the metal, and then jabbed his knife down the top of his head.
Gabe stuck his long knife through the rungs, slicing the eater in front of him. The bodies toppled over each other, pools of crimson extending towards my feet. Jim waved us over as Gabe glanced around them, searching for more.
“Grab the other side,” Jim said to Gabriel. Kev stepped forward to help, but Scarlet tugged his arm back, shaking her head. His raised eyebrows and his expression tore at my soul. He was too injured to actually do anything helpful.
“And…push.” With a grunt, Gabe and Jim shoved the gates to the side enough so we could slip through.
I paused on the other side while Scarlet helped Kev hobble forward. The large concrete parking lot looked like a truck unloading zone. Yellow lines were drawn up and down the alleyway, the back fence lining forest. The gate screeched as they shut it. Jim huffed extra hard as he leaned down and rubbed his knee.
“You good?” I asked him as he passed by me.
“Yeah.” He smiled at me, but it was far from reassuring. He stepped very carefully. From the subtle limp, I knew something bothered him. But I dropped it for now.
I raised my gun and glanced back at Scarlet who did the same. Even Kev had his weapon raised. We had to climb up a two-foot tall ledge to get to the back garage doors made for trucks to back up against.
It took a moment for us to help Kev up, but he never once stopped trying. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he huffed at the outside of the door. His lips were pale white and cracked as he breathed heavily Jim pulled on the chains to raise the metal door. Gabe crouched under first. I went next, tucking my head so it didn’t bash against the bottom of the door.
“It’s clear so far,” Gabe said as he stood with his back towards me. I stood beside him and waited while the others followed. Jim was last in.
The stockroom was painfully silent. Empty boxes lined the shelf beside us. I crouched behind Jim, listening hard for any sort of disturbance. Jim and Gabe moved around the shelves. When only the echoes of our steps came back, my stomach settled.
“Split up or stay together?” Gabriel whispered from in front of me.
“Together,” I answered fast. I didn’t want to separate, and while it would take longer to scout around the entire store, I was okay with that. Gabriel didn’t answer me.
Jim led us through the back room, walls stacked full of toilet papers, shoe boxes, and tennis balls. Kev’s steps were louder than the rest of ours. His left leg made a strange dragging sound that reminded me of eaters. I walked behind him.
In the entire store, we only encountered three eaters, all meandering down aisles alone. I lay back in a camping chair, my feet throbbing, my head spinning. The square of the breakfast bar did nothing to fill me up. My body ached like I had the flu. Since light had disappeared, we had time to gather supplies.
“There we go!” Kev said as he lit the cardboard. I discovered that shoe boxes were perfect for beginning a fire, surrounded by a circle of golf balls and sand. I stored the information away in case I ever needed it again.
Unfortunately for us, the store had been looted, and no food remained. Clothing had been taken, but we were able to work with what was left. Luckily, whoever stole from here didn’t take a lot of camping equipment. It must have been early on, before they realized how dire the situation had become.
“Water!” Jim yelled as his footsteps clapped against the linoleum floor. I darted up in my seat like a prairie dog, searching for him. He appeared from the hunting section with a large gallon jug of water.
“Where was that?” I asked him. The blue-tinted bottle said Crystal Rock but it should have been called holy water.
“Employee lounge.” Jim smiled like a child, not a care in the world. He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. I giggled as he lifted the jug over my mouth and poured. I gurgled as the cool liquid slid down the back of my throat, some spilling down my shirt.
“Thank you,” I said as I shut my eyes in bliss. My scratchy throat felt like it had been rejuvenated in the one large sip. I sat back down in the chair and relished the feel of a cool stream down my throat. While the water was great, it didn’t shut my stomach up, though. I clutched my midsection and tried to ignore the pinching pain. Jim gave sips to the others, who were scattered around the store.
With new resolve, I got up and started walking down each aisle. I perused the shelves, trying to gather anything that would help us. Near the back of the store was a hunting section, closed off by a thick tan rope that warned children to stay back. I swung my leg over.
I wasn’t a hunter in my life pre-bombings. Though I did know some people who would hunt deer in the fall and quail in the spring, it wasn’t something that interested me in the slightest. As I looked up at the large stack of crossbows and multicolored arrows, I realized how out of place I was.
“Looking for a new weapon?” Gabriel asked as he popped up from behind me. His bright orange-camouflage pants made me flinch and squint. He had changed into a jumper that almost looked like the fabric of snow pants. The army green cap covered his sweaty hair.
“Were you a hunter?” I asked him as I let my fingers trail along some feathery sticks. They tickled my dirty hands.
“No,” he answered as I stopped in front of a display-case of large knives. They lay on top of what looked like black velvet beneath glass. I pressed my hands on top of the glass, smudging it. I looked into the case.
Jim came up from behind us and muttered something I couldn’t quite hear to Gabriel. I pretended to be looking really hard at the knives while I attempted to eavesdrop. I turned back around, but Gabriel had already vanished. Jim stepped towards me.
“Want me to help you find one you like?”
“How
do you know what I’d like?”
“Well, I did see you kill some eaters, so I know your fighting style. Plus, you have small hands so you can’t use something like that.” He pointed at a long handled knife, the blade at least a foot long. Sadly, I agreed with him. That was more Gabriel’s caliber with his monster sword and huge biceps. I didn’t think I could handle something like that without harming myself in the process.
“Help away.” I swung my arm across the glass, giving him full rein. He walked around the counter and jiggled something. I propped myself over and glanced down at the lock. He picked the lock.
“How do you do that?” I asked him in amazement as the back sliding door opened.
He shrugged. “Learned when I was about sixteen. It’s come in handy, huh?” He pulled out a brown knife, the handle only two inches long, but the blade much longer.
“Feel it out,” he said as he passed it across the counter, handle first. I held it in my right hand, but felt like a fool as I jabbed it into thin air. It felt fine, I guessed, but I didn’t know what to compare it to. Jim chuckled to himself as he watched me. I glanced up and saw the humor written across his face, from his raised brows to the lines around his dimples.
“Stop,” I whined as I pushed the knife towards him. He lunged back with his hands up, faking fear.
“Are you going to kill me with your new knife?” Jim joked.
“Maybe I will.” I pursed my lips, challenging him with a cock of my head. I lifted the knife and twirled it in a circle, toying with him. He squinted his eyes.
“What do I have to do to be in your good graces again?”
“For starters you can stop being so damn moody.”
His navy eyes met mine. I couldn’t understand what they tried to convey. They lifted up in the corners, crinkling and creating long lines to his hairline. The hard lines of his face suggested he was much older than I assumed. “Hey, how old are you?” I asked him.
“Do I have to answer all your questions now?” he asked back, resting his back against the wall. His body had relaxed since we got here, his shoulders pushed back but low. He seemed much more carefree and calm.
The Last Legacy (Season 1): Episodes 1-10 Page 18