Other Side

by Rose, Isabella C.

  “I think so,” I answered.

  “Okay. Let’s get her on the table and strap her down. You get your samples, and then we get the hell outta dodge,” Buck ordered.

  Buck shocked me more than anyone I had ever known. He was intelligent under the gruff exterior and quiet ways. We hefted June onto a bed and tied her down with gauze. The wound on her head was seeping ooze. I grabbed gloves, and vials. I swabbed as much of her skin and ooze as I could, and placed them in the vials. I was not sure where to stick her for blood or whatever ran through her veins now. I opted for a direct approach and stabbed her arm. June woke up with a gurgle, scaring the shit out of all of us. We all jumped back. Buck was the first to recover, and he smashed her head again, knocking her out. I cautiously reached for the needle sticking out of June. I pulled on where the syringe was in her arm, and dark blood came out that turned white. I finished and stuffed them in my bag with the rest of the supplies I had gathered.

  “What do we do with her?” I gestured to June.

  “I’ll take care of it,” Buck said.

  Buck reached over to the next bed and picked up a pillow, placing it on June’s head. I turned away because I knew what was coming next. A small pop echoed out in the room. June was dead.

  We made quick work of finding any supplies we might need left in the clinic. I was in front when we made our way back to the waiting area. I stopped dead in my tracks, and Jaime bumped into me.

  “What’s up?” he whispered.

  “Shhh,” I tried to reply as quietly as I could.

  There were two zombies outside the clinic window. Different ones from the two we had seen on the road when we came into the clinic. Had they heard the altercation with June? I froze, hoping they would not see us. My hand moved slightly to adjust my gun into position if they made a move toward us. Watching them, I studied their movements. They seemed to use other senses along with their sight. The one closest to me sniffed, moving its head back and forth as if trying to find a scent. His hands touched the glass as his ear came close to the windowpane. It blew a steam of breath on the window and used its hand to smudge what looked to be a word in the mist of its breath. Was it look or love? The other one was closest to the door and as I moved my eyes to him, his white eyes stared right at me, and then it screeched and pushed against the door. The door swung in. When the hell were, we going to learn to lock doors behind us? As it pulled back for another ram, it noticed the door move and slammed against it again, wedging itself into the clinic as the door was heavier than normal doors. Behind the two zombies, another dozen ran into the road. Fuck! It had called others and they knew we were here somehow.

  “Back!” I yelled.

  We pushed into the back and I closed the door between the front of the clinic and the waiting room. Lucky for us, the door had a lock, and I turned the lock as I closed it. We backed away as the zombie made its way to the small window in the door.

  “Oppppppeeennnn gggggggiiiiiiirrrrrr…” Slipped out its drooling mouth.

  Having these things talk was the creepiest thing to hear, even worse than their screeches. Maybe because a piece of their humanity remained inside somewhere.

  “That shit is creepy as fuck!” Buck said mimicking my thoughts.

  I did not like to curse, but I learned that some words were just better with this new world.

  “Is there a back door?” I asked Buck on a whisper, my mouth away from the zombie in case it could read my lips.

  “Yes’em,” he said.

  We moved to the back of the clinic, passing the triage area to a solid aluminum door. No way to tell if there were zombies on the outside with no window. We would have to take our chances since the zombies in the front knew we were there.

  “What do you think, Buck? Should we risk it or try to shoot our way out the front?” I offered for his opinion.

  His head looked back the way we came, and he said, “Chance the back door.”

  He got his rifle ready. Jaime and I followed suit with our weapons. Buck pushed on the door to peer out.

  “Clear,” he informed us.

  I sent a prayer up something distracted the zombies in the clinic's front. Buck moved out the door, Jaime behind him, and then me. No zombies lingered at the door, thank goodness! Being outside, we all moved as fast as we could. I watched behind us. The visitor center was next to the clinic, and we made our way to the break between two buildings. Whoever designed this small town, I thanked them for making everything close. It meant we had cover. Buck poked his head around the corner and back. He gave us a thumbs-up. He moved fast to the visitor center’s backside. When Buck was there, he motioned for Jaime to cross. Jaime took a quick run, and was on the other building watching Buck’s back as he waved me to wait. I waited nervously, watching Buck and my back. Buck gestured for me to cross. I moved with ease to the building, but a screech rang out, and we ran to the far side of the visitor center. They knew where we were. We rushed around the visitor center to the front to make our way to the truck. We saw the other team inside the grocery store hiding behind stacks in the front window.

  Coming to the front, we ran across the road, the zombies running behind us. There were a few left in the front. Buck took one out. The team in the grocery store came out helping to give us cover. A zombie grabbed my bag, pulling hard. I let the bag slide off me. It hit the zombie giving me time to turn and shoot the zombie in the cheek. The others had made it to the truck starting the engine. More zombies ran for us from all directions. I wouldn't make it to the truck. I felt helplessness take over me.

  A shot rang out behind me. I chanced a look over my shoulder and saw the shot came from atop the clinic building. A young girl had a rifle to her eye, shooting the zombies that got close to me. I was hauled into the back of the truck by Buck as Peggy Sue revved the engine. She peeled out, turning the truck into some zombies. Everyone was shooting zombies and trying to not fly out the truck. I looked for the girl who was shooting as the truck moved out of town. She had her head up watching us. We couldn't leave her—she had helped us, and the zombies would know she was up there now.

  I stuck my head in the cab. “We have to go by the clinic for that girl!”

  “What?!” Peggy Sue said, looking around. “Jesus! We barely made it out!”

  “She helped us. They will get her if we leave,” I begged her.

  “Dang nab it! Hold on!” Peggy Sue yelled as she whipped the truck around, heading back toward town.

  The zombies ran for the truck.

  “Take out as many as you can in our path, we are going for the girl on the clinic roof,” I ordered the rest in the back with me.

  The truck bumped zombies. I tried my best to take out as many zombies in the head, but missed several with the rough ride. As we got closer to the clinic, I could see the girl’s face light up.

  “Jump!” I yelled as we came under where she was standing.

  Buck let his rifle drop on his strap, catching the girl, then tossing her down on some bags.

  “Ooof,” the girl said as she hit the bags.

  Peggy Sue gunned the engine, and we flew around one of the buildings, taking an alley behind the store. I saw zombies running for us through the building. The truck swung to the left and back on the road, smacking a few zombies. They went flying. A laugh escaped me as I watched the zombies. They reminded me of an old cartoon where the characters would get beat up and get back up. The zombies chased us for a few miles. The last one stood on the road panting, watching us go.

  “Everyone okay?” I examined everyone.

  “All good here, sis,” Brandi stated.

  Hugh gave a thumbs-up.

  “Good,” Buck added.

  “Peachy,” Jaime laughed.

  I introduced everyone to the girl who I could see was only about ten.

  “Thank you for helping us back there. What’s your name?”

  “Gracie. I sure am glad you all didn't leave me back there. I was running out of food on the roof. I was too scared t
o venture down for more with so many of them things around. Where we headed?” she said happily.

  To have such innocence still after all this was amazing.

  “We are heading to a cabin about twenty miles away. It’s got all kinds of security measures so you will be safe, and from the looks of what you’re sitting on we will have plenty of supplies for a while,” I gestured. “My bag!” I realized we had left it behind in the craziness.

  I looked back down the road, thinking of all the medical kits and samples sitting in the middle of the road back in town.

  “Sorry, Vi,” Jaime said, patting my leg.

  “It’s okay. It was the bag or me,” I said regretfully.

  “Got any chocolate? I’d die for a Snickers bar! Not literally though, so don't get no ideas about feeding me to them,” Gracie joked.

  “You're just in luck, Ms. Gracie. I love chocolate too,” Brandi said handing a candy bar to her out of her pocket.

  “You’re my best friend from now on!” She gave Brandi a high-five and began munching on the candy.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “Why don't you climb up front with me, Gracie?” Peggy Sue patted the seat.

  “Can I, really?” Gracie said.

  “Sure. Why not?” Peggy Sue smiled.

  “Well, my Pa only let me ride up front when we were going to church on the holidays, so I wouldn't get my dress dirty,” Gracie said as she slid through the back window.

  She was not over eighty pounds, I would guess. She wore a pair of dirty jeans and a t-shirt. Her long, dirty blond hair in tangles. All tom boy. I leaned my head back on one of the sacks looking up to the sky. I never really paid the sky much attention before. I had other things to stress about, but now I took in all the blue. The clouds, small puffs of white. Brandi lay down next to me, and we watched the sky in peace. Buck sat against the tailgate, his watchful eye on guard. I listened to Gracie and Peggy Sue’s conversation.

  “So, I haven't seen you around town before. Do you live on the outskirts of town?” Peggy Sue questioned her.

  “Yep. We live or used to live out old Lake Ridge Road. Pa didn't like coming into town too much unless he had to get something for the farm.”

  “Where is your Pa now?” Peggy Sue pried softly.

  “He and Ma and Bailey are all one of those things. I was kinda’ hiding in the barn loft, so I didn't have to do no chores when I heard them. Ma yelled to Bailey to run. Pa was the first one to turn. I could see them from a crack in the barn. He bit Ma on her neck. Bailey, that’s my older brother, he ran. Pa is much faster, and he caught him. He made him one of them too. I stayed up there all night until I knew they had left the farm. I snuck into the house and took Pa’s gun. He keeps it locked up, but I saw where he hid the key. After that, I sat around for a while at the house. I didn't know what else to do. Ma came back. I hopped out my bedroom window and ran for the forest. I thought to get help in town, but when I got there, I saw all them things. Everyone had turned into one of them. I was the only one left, as far as I could tell. I knew how to get on the roofs from my friend Jemma. She dared me one time. I got a good ole beating for that. Well, I got up there and them things couldn't see me or climb as far as I could tell.” Gracie took a deep breath and continued on with her tale, “The first night I just stayed up there and slept. By the next day, my tummy was giving me a good howling. I was afraid one of them things would hear. I watched them all day, and they acted all funny.”

  I interrupted her. “What do you mean funny?”

  She turned in the seat to look at me. “Well, they all acted like they were talking, but not with words. They kinda sat around, well stood. I never seen one sit or lie down. They would make these grunts and sniff. Then one would get mad and try to beat up on another one. They reminded me of this dog we used to have. She was a mean ole bitch, wouldn't let anyone around, and she attacked one of our other dogs. Then she tried to eat the chickens, and Pa had to put her down. Them things act like her, all rabid and stuff.” She stopped, looking thoughtful. “Yeah, they acted like animals,” she finally said.

  Just as I thought. I questioned her further, intrigued. “Did they ever leave or do anything else odd?”

  “Oh, yeah. One would make that awful scream and they would go running. That’s when I got off the roof and got me some chips and soda. I left some money on the counter for the stuff. I didn't feel right about just taking stuff that wasn't mine. I got back on the roof. I had no way to go anywhere and there ain't much out here, so walking would be a waste of time. I was about to try to make another run for some food when you all showed up. I was lying up there making shapes out the clouds when I heard them things scream. I didn't even know you was there until I saw you all running your breeches off. I knew I had to help ya. Pa taught me last summer how to hunt. It was the first time I shot a human being,” she said trailing off and sitting back.

  I gave her a break. I knew what it was like to shoot one for the first time.

  I heard Peggy Sue tell her, “Honey, it’s okay. They ain't human anymore. They are something other. You did good.”

  “Ya think so?” Gracie asked piping up.

  “You bet, sweetie,” Peggy Sue encouraged her.

  “I did, didn't I? I think you might be my favorite now, but don't tell her in the back. I like chocolate too,” Gracie whispered.

  Gracie made me smile. She would be good for us. She would lighten us all up in such dire times. The rest of the ride to the cabin, Gracie and Peggy Sue chatted. Gracie was asking all kinds of questions. It made me sad because Jessica would ask me so many times “why” about everything. I leaned my head on Brandi’s shoulder closing my eyes to hide the tears wanting to start.

  Gracie squealed as we approached the cabin. “That is where we are going?”

  “You like?” Peggy Sue asked.

  “Oh, yeah. My house is not even half that size. I had to share a room with Bailey, and he smells. Can I have my own room?” Gracie hinted.

  “I am sure we can find a space all your own,” Peggy Sue revealed.

  “You sure are great!” Gracie said.

  We all sat up as we got closer to the cabin. No one wanted to be surprised by a zombie.

  We pulled up to the cabin and hopped out of the truck, Buck keeping watch.

  “Hugh!” Annette called from the garage that sat a few feet away from the cabin.

  We all turned to see her waving us over.

  “Why the hell are you out here?” Hugh called.

  Chapter Thirty

  Why was Jaime’s mom in the garage and not in the house? Hugh jogged over to her while the rest of us stood by the truck, unsure what was going on. We listened for zombies and the conversation.

  “Roth locked us out of the house!” Annette explained.

  “What!” Hugh said angrily.

  “After you left, he pulled a gun on us and told us to get out or he would shoot us. Then he opened the door and made us step out. We tried to get back in, but he locked up. We came into the garage for safety until you returned. I am so glad you're safe,” Annette said taking him into a hug.

  “I will kill him!” Hugh fumed.

  “What are we going to do?” Annette said.

  “We will take our house back and kick that bastard out!” Hugh held onto her.

  My worst fears of leaving Roth there had come true. I needed to listen to my instincts more. I looked up to the cabin, pissed.

  “Are we not going in?” Gracie looked between us.

  “We will in a bit, honey,” Peggy Sue wrapped her arm around Gracie.

  “Do you have my cell phone?” Hugh asked his wife.

  “You know I always carry one just in case you lose yours.” She pulled a phone out of her pocket.

  Hugh walked back to us. He addressed Buck, “You ready to throw that piece of… Excuse me, Gracie. Are you ready to take back my house?”

  “Don't worry, Mr. Hugh. My Pa gets a fixing with his words when the tractor breaks down,” Gracie said.
>
  “Yes’em.” Buck’s one-word answer for everything.

  “How do you plan on getting in?” I inquired.

  “I told you my dad was a tech nerd. He has everything wired to his phone,” Jaime informed me.

  “Good, I am ready to get a piece of that action,” I stated.

  Hugh walked to the side of the house. We all followed watching our surroundings. Hugh was tinkering with his cell phone. He stopped in front of the river rock that accented the bottom of the house. He hit a few keys and the wall with the rocks on it cracked open.

  “That is sooo cool!” Gracie commented.

  It impressed me. A secret door hidden in the wall. Hugh went up to the wall and reached into the crack. A click and the door slid open enough to allow us to enter. We huddled into a windowless room. A keypad was on the wall—nothing else but a recess light that lit the room. Hugh inputted some code and the door behind us closed.

  Hugh turned, addressing the nine of us, “I can see Roth is in the basement watching a movie. When I open this door, we will be in my control room that leads into the theater room. He is sitting there like he has not a care in the world. I will not have my wife, women, and children thrown out because of his selfishness. I will not throw him out either.”

  “He kicked us out with zombies on the loose. Not caring if we lived or died and you will spare him!” Julia objected.

  “I do not intend to let him live freely in my house. I am not happy with him either. If we kicked him out, we would be no better than he is. We will contain him until we can find a better solution. I am telling you this because I do not want any of you to go half-cocked in there. We are still human beings, let’s act like it.”

  I had to respect Jaime’s dad. You could tell it upset him about what Roth had done while we were gone, but he was thinking with a clear logical head. Maybe I misjudged him. Hugh turned, opening the secret door that led to the control room. He allowed Buck to go in first. Hugh was smart to let Buck go first because if I was him, I would shoot Roth for putting my family in danger. Buck did not have family left back. He had no emotional connection to anyone here besides Peggy Sue.