Things Change (Book 1): Things Change

by Citroner, GW

  “I think they’re to full to care, at least for a little while. We still need a ride that has a full tank.”

  Arriving at the parking lot, they groaned in despair. Although there were several vehicles of various makes and models waiting there, none were serviceable – every one had taken heavy damage. Dan took a good look around. “What do we do now?”

  Seventeen

  Lily was disappointed not to find either man at the firehouse, but determined to find them. Where could they be if they hadn’t sheltered in the station during the attack? She took a good look at her savage companions and noticed one of them had the ridiculous ears of a hound dog.

  Dashing upstairs, she found a shirt she recognized as Ty’s and brought it back to hold under the animal’s nose. Sniffing enthusiastically, it ran against the front door, pawing at it furiously. “You just earned yourself a name. From now on, you’re not just smelly, you are Smelly.”

  Throwing the door open she called out. “Go find him!” The ghostly pack vanished into the night, Lily close behind.

  Her legs pumped tirelessly as she easily matched their speed through streets and littered alleys. Hair streaming behind her she reveled in her new strength, taking huge gulps of the humid, night air.

  “Are you frigging kidding? That was my idea!”

  Ty apologized. “I’m sorry. You were right, just outside the old perimeter there are loads of perfectly good vehicles – abandoned right out in the open. The ambulance still has enough gas left to make it a couple of miles. That should be more than enough to find something that can get us well away from here.”

  “You see what happened, what’s still happening, where we are now? How much worse do you think it’s become farther out? The smell of blood could be attracting every monster for miles around. How long do you think we have before they own every inch of this town? Now, the odds might be better hiding in the station until morning.”

  “We can’t stay here and hope those things quiet down by morning. We need wheels that can get us away from here now, before those things settle in. Can you think of a better time to get them?”

  “No, I can’t. I’m just so goddamn tired of this shit.”

  “We’re not getting back on the road any other way.”

  Manning’s shrewd eyes followed them as they drove off. “Where in hell are you bastards going?” Jumping on his Harley, he turned left, and then right to pursue them on a parallel course, just one block over.

  Crying an unearthly, whistling howl, Lily’s monstrous hound sprinted ahead of the others, heading through the main parking area. Pausing briefly to catch the scent, he galloped away, toward the abandoned streets away from downtown.

  “Go get’em! I’m right behind you!” Lily was gasping now, having a hard time keeping the pace set by her grotesque companions. As she closed the distance between them, she first heard, and then glimpsed, the pursuing motor bike across the street.

  She cut across to see what was going on. A quarter mile behind the bike, she was invisible to its rider. Closing in, she thought hopefully. I know I look bad, but maybe I can hitch a ride. I can’t see the dogs anymore and my legs are getting really tired.

  “Hey, hold on!”

  Manning had ignored his rear view, so intent was he on pursuit of the ambulance – but now his full attention was on the swift runner behind him. He slowed to a stop and dropped the bike’s kickstand.

  Still several feet away, she put on her sweetest smile. “Hey, thanks for stopping.”

  Turning toward the girl, he immediately realized both who and what she was. “You must be Lily.”

  Cruising through the streets east of the city center, Dan and Ty searched block after block for another vehicle. Dan’s eyes roved warily, searching for the least sign of danger. “We’re not having any luck finding a new ride and dawn is still a couple of hours away.”

  “We tried my idea already, this one is yours.”

  “Don’t be a wise ass. Stop here, what about that one?

  “I’ll give it a shot.” They pulled over next to a dusty, 80s era custom van. “Hot wiring this one should be easy.”

  Dan stood near him, gun at the ready. Ty jimmied the driver’s side door and used a big screwdriver to pry off the steering column cover to expose wires running from ignition switch to starter.

  “Alright, green and red are tied together; let’s see if blue and yellow will wake this thing up.” He touched the wires together and the starter whined. He smiled broadly “Give me a sec to pump the pedal and this thing might actually go.”

  “Just hurry up!”

  He delicately pumped the gas pedal and tried again.

  Dan hissed. “This isn’t working, let’s find another one. We’re making too much noise!”

  Then the engine caught.

  “I told you – and check out the fuel gauge, it’s almost a full tank. Get in!”

  “It’s still a gas-hog”

  “Even so, we’ll get at least a hundred miles before we’re empty. Besides, look at it! It’s a classic.”

  “No, it’s a wreck.”

  “OK, it was a classic. Let’s load it up.”

  Lily stared at the face before her. It was Manning, and she knew he had the device that could end her life in seconds.

  “Now where are you heading in such a rush?” He pointed to her waist, now missing a utility belt. “Have you been taking your pills? No, I don’t think you have.”

  Drawing a box from his pocket, he showed it to her. “Do you know what this is?” She nodded slowly to show that she did. “Good. Whether I use it or not depends on just how willing you are to do what you’re told.” His face relaxed into the kindly lines of Sergeant Hartman. “You’ve lost your medicine, but luckily I’ve got some with me. You be a good girl and take it. It’ll all be fine if you do.”

  Lily thought hard. I can’t touch him before he hits the button on that thing – and even if I could, it might send a signal if it’s hit by accident. What the hell do I do?

  “Oh, I don’t like the way you’re looking me over, girlie.” He fingered the transmitter meaningfully. “I’m in a bit of a rush, so this can be over real quick if you get any funny ideas.”

  “OK! I’ll take the pill, please don’t do that.”

  “Fine, then. Step back.” He shut off the engine, dismounted, and stood before her. “I’m going to slowly take out the pills and lay the container on the street. After I’ve stepped away, you pick it up and take one.”

  As she bent down to grab the pills, something splashed against her face. Startled, and momentarily blinded, she automatically hopped back and landed hard on her rear end. She sat; eyes squeezed shut, fully expecting her electronic collar to blow any second.

  When it didn’t she raised a hand to wipe clear her eyes. The motorcycle was still there, lights brightly shining in the dark, but Manning was nowhere in sight.

  She stood up and approached the bike. There was a long bloody streak beginning where the man had stood and spreading thickly to a point just out of sight. She followed the grisly trail to its end and was pleasantly surprised.

  “Good doggie!”

  Contentedly licking himself clean, one of her animal companions was sitting on his haunches just inches away from Manning’s torn body. She found the transmitter under what may have been his lungs. Carefully removing the battery, she crushed the device with her boot. The key to the control collar was inside of it.

  “Were you worried about me?” She stroked the beast’s lumpy back. “Thanks for saving me. Your friends hurt my feelings; I don’t think they’re coming back.”

  The two sprinted off into the night.

  Eighteen

  “Wait, there’s one more thing I need to do before we head out.” Dan tossed another bag of gear into the van and shut its creaky rear door, then stepped back into the ambulance.

  “What’s up?”

  “We’ve got wheels and we’re far enough away to consider ourselves somewhat safe. I’m going to
try contacting Lily.” Flicking the power switch he keyed the microphone and called out “Lily, this is Dan. Do you copy?”

  “I’m right here!” Dan jumped, hitting his head against the hard metal roof. Lily stuck her tongue out at him. She was standing just outside the door.

  “Don’t do that!”

  Gun in hand, Ty ran over. Seeing it was lily, he pulled up short. Her face was filthy and smeared with blood. “You’re a mess.”

  “I missed you too.”

  “It’s good to see you, Lil.” He looked her over. “What happened?”

  “Remember the General?”

  “Sure, Manning.”

  “I’m covered in him.”

  “Do I want to ask?”

  “It wasn’t me.” She turned around and whistled shrilly, a bark-like trilling echoed back. “Don’t be scared, and don’t do anything remotely threatening. Please put away the gun.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s sweet and very protective of me, so just take it easy.” She shined her flashlight back the way she’d come. The change-dog, skin glowing in the harsh circle of light, glided to her side. Their faces went almost as white as Lily’s. “This is a dog that was treated with the same thing they gave me. There were a few assigned to patrol with us, and they respond to my commands. At least this one does.”

  “OK, if you say so. Can we move now?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Stop messing around, Lily.”

  “I’m not, Dan. I’m not sure. I didn’t think this out. Let’s try something.” She knelt down and placed her hands gently on the animal’s head. “Hey Smelly, these are my friends, come and say hello.” It approached Ty. “Put your hand out for him to sniff.”

  “No. His spikes are gone but I remember those ears. This thing tried to eat me once already. It took out our windshield.”

  Dan said, “They must have treated him with the same thing Lily got.”

  “It’s OK, really,” Lily insisted. “Just hold your hand out and let him sniff you.” She thought for a moment. “Don’t worry. If he was going to do anything, I think you’d both be dead by now.”

  Dan’s eyes went wide. “That’s not a comforting thought.”

  As they grew increasingly tense, so did their new acquaintance. A low, warbling growl sounded from deep in the creature’s chest. “Smelly! You calm down now, these are my friends.” Bending his head sheepishly, he took a tentative step toward Ty, smelling the air and recognizing the scent he had tracked.

  “I’ll do it, but if I lose my hand…” Ty bent down, extending his arm tentatively. Smelly took a long sniff and wagged his rat-like tail. Ty gently patted the hot, smooth skin between its ears “I’m still alive. That means he likes me, right?”

  “Now you, Dan. Let him know you want to be friends,” Lily was trying hard not to laugh.

  “We can’t take him with us,” Dan looked at the bizarre canine. “I understand if you’re a little attached, but I don’t think he’ll even fit in the van, and how are we gonna feed and water him.”

  “He really stinks.” Ty added. “And he almost killed us once.”

  “I feel bad just letting him go. I know he’ll do fine on his own, but I’ll miss him.”

  “I don’t know, Lil,” said Dan. “I mean, it could come in handy. He disintegrated Manning on impact.”

  Ty wasn’t convinced. “It’s like keeping a pitbull. You don’t know when it might bite its owner.”

  Lily insisted. “This is different, he’s much smarter than a normal dog, and he listens to me. Besides, have you noticed we haven’t been attacked since we’ve been here? Maybe his smell is covering ours.”

  They heard Ty yelling. “No, bad monster!” Smelly was trying to squeeze into the front passenger seat. “I sit there. You go in the back, please?”

  Lily laughed. “It’s settled then. Smelly! Get in the back, you can sit with me.”

  Dan climbed into the driver’s seat. “Let’s get back on the road before something comes after us.” The sky was light now and they could see the streets around them clearly.

  “Yeah, wagon trail ho. Let’s get back on the highway.” Ty sniffed his seat before sitting down. “You think we can find a car wash somewhere on the way?”

  Dan snorted. “I don’t think cleaning this rig is gonna improve it much.”

  “I meant Smelly, not the car.”

  “Leave my doggie alone, Ty! You don’t smell so good from where I’m sitting either.”

  They passed the remains of Lily’s missing animals two blocks later, only recognizable by the tattered collars. Stripped of flesh, their bones gleamed wetly in the early morning light.

  Lily looked away. “What could have done that?

  “Infected rats?” Dan guessed.

  Ty shuddered. “Maybe even mutant squirrels. I don’t think the way they smelled was any help. This apocalypse keeps getting better all the time.”

  Nineteen

  “Are you doing alright, Lil?” She had been unusually quiet since they’d left Boise, and Dan was concerned. “We’ve put about four hours between us and trouble and you haven’t said more than a dozen words.”

  Ty spared a quick glance from the road and asked, “What’s up?”

  “It was pretty horrible back there. I’m just trying to figure out how to deal with it. They lied to me, drugged me up, and made me hurt people. Worse, they changed me in ways I don’t understand. Will I be able to live normally? Can I have babies? I feel like crap and I’m trying to cope.”

  They were all quiet for a while after that, until they stopped for gas at a station that was still open. Ty pulled in to the pump, besides which an older man was seated on a rust-stained, metal folding chair. He was reading from a little paperback and had a hunting rifle across his lap. “Lily, keep Smelly out of sight.”

  “I won’t take money, but if you’ve got anything to trade…” The old man put his book away, and leaned forward a bit “Food, water or ammo, would do the trick just fine.”

  “We’ve got chicken soup, Spam, tuna – how about five cans for ten gallons?”

  “Four cans of spam and three cans of soup.”

  Ty countered “Three Spam, one soup and one tuna.”

  “Done! You get the cans out and I’ll fill you up.”

  While the men transacted their business, Dan asked “Hey old man, what news have you heard?”

  His face wrinkling up in a massive frown he said “Lots, and none of it good. Phone was the first to go, but I got a police scanner and my CB radio powered by those solar panels on the roof, same ones working this pump. I was hearing lots of ruckus for a while; riots and whatnot for a couple of weeks. Then it just went quiet. Once in a while I hear someone calling out, looking for help or someone they know.”

  “Has anybody else come here recently?” asked Ty.

  “A few. Same deal, I trade what gas and goods I have for anything I need. Been lucky so far, no looters,” he looked at the gun leaning against his folding chair, “no need to use that yet.”

  “Have you heard anything worth passing on to us?”

  “Nothing you don’t already know. Order’s broken down and most cops have ditched their uniforms and their duties to help themselves and their families. Some towns and villages have barricaded themselves against outsiders. They won’t help travelers. I wouldn’t go near Ogden or Salt Lake City. There are gangs around there. Road pirates, looting anybody they find for supplies. The military boys out of Boise have been helping keep the situation from getting out of hand. If it wasn’t for them the highways would be much more dangerous.”

  Dan and Ty looked at each other but kept their mouths shut.

  “Are you planning on staying here?” Dan asked. “Your supplies will run out eventually,”

  “I’m old, son. I don’t have anybody anymore and I don’t intend to run off half-cocked trying to make it in this mess. I figure I’ll just hang on until either the food or my luck runs out.”

  The highway w
as clear heading into Utah, and they were making good time. Ty was confident enough drive just under fifty miles per hour. “Can we stop? I think Smelly needs to get out for a bit.”

  “I think we could all use a break,” agreed Dan. “How about it, Ty?”

  “Sure, I’ll pull over here. We’ll take turns guarding each other while we do our business in the bushes. Smelly has his pick of trees. I don’t think we need to guard him.”

  The dog climbed out ponderously, disappearing into the trees. Dan and company took turns in the brush while each kept careful watch over the other.

  “Are we ready to go everybody?” Dan asked.

  “We just need Lily’s dog to get back.”

  “I’ll go get him.” Lily volunteered. “It won’t take long.”

  “We’ll be waiting.”

  The pair returned with a surprise. “Smelly brought us a present, in case you guys feel like eating something fresh.”

  Lily’s pet dropped a doe at their feet. Its neck was broken, but there was no blood. The beast hadn’t taken a bite for itself. Ty’s smile stretched from ear to ear as he reached for his knife. “He didn’t even taste it. Dan, help me butcher this.”

  The men took their time skinning the animal, slitting its belly to remove the entrails, which they fed to the dog. “We’ll wrap this up and cook it before we settle for the night. Bringing him along wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Thank your dog for me, Lily.”

  “Thank him yourself; he understands more than you think.”

  “I believe I will,” he knelt down in front of the dog, now carefully licking himself clean. “Thank you, Smelly. We really appreciate this.” The dog huffed in response, and then went back to cleaning bloody bits off his face and paws.

  “Well I’ll be.”

  “I told you! He understands when you talk to him. He’s a smart one.”

  “Alright, let’s clean up and get moving again.”

  “We’re getting close to Salt Lake City, the man at the gas station said there were pirates,” Lily said.