by Lisa Acerbo
“It’s happening today.” Caleb stopped her in the morning before she left the inn.
“We only made the agreement last night.”
“I don’t want you to back out.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“You can’t. Meet me by the lake at eight.”
Her flashlight lit the steps down to the man-made slim strip of sand surrounding a large reservoir. The beach wound between the water and the dense woods that cloistered the lake on three sides. In the darkness, the woods developed a supernatural quality. A still functioning kayak lay next to boats and canoes s half buried or torn apart by the harsh weather.
An abandoned house perched forlornly on the lake’s edge.
“Are you sure we’re safe here?” Jenna asked, enjoying the magnificent lake view. After her battle in the woods and the recent Streaker attack on Quentin, she remained uneasy.
“It’s been two weeks since we came across any indication of undead. Even if they have some way of smelling us out, the woods are too dense for them to make it here, and the lake protects us. Plus, I’ve got a gun.”
“Romance and a gun. What more could a woman ask for.”
“Strange times call for strange dates. No telling what an apocalypse will do to traditional dating rituals. Relax and enjoy.”
“Relaxation isn’t really my strong point. I’m usually doing laps around the inn if not engaged in chores or outside.” She fingered the holes in her sweatshirt.
Should she wear something nicer? Not a lot of options in her closet. At least the jeans are clean.
“We’ll work on relaxing together.” He sat her on the blanket. He pointed to a fresh salad.
That’s thanks to your garden. The casserole is from me.”
She eyed the pan. “Interesting. What’s in it?”
“Don’t look so skeptical. Made it myself.” He chuckled. “Not sure what it will taste like, but Emma swore by the recipe and we trust her. Right?”
“We trust her with medicine, but not sure about her cooking. Still, she’s all for this union so I’m sure she wouldn’t steer you wrong.”
“Let’s dig in.” He doled out meals and handed her a plate.
Jenna relished the dinner and relaxed, enjoying the scenery and company.
“This is our official first date.” He broke into a boyish grin and added, “How’s it going so far?”
“What makes today different to previous times?” She put her fork down.
“Because I’m going to go hunt. If you don’t go running back to the inn, it will be because you don’t find me utterly repulsive.”
“Putting it to the test. Go for it. After killing Streakers, I can deal with sitting here while you go find some more food. Before you go, explain why you want to do this now.”
“I don’t need to hunt at this moment, but it’s important you understand what you are getting into.”
“And that is?”
“New Racers are driven by a need for blood, be it animal blood or human, but human blood is more fulfilling. No matter what kind, the virus brought about an evolutionary change linking us to Streakers. We all need blood. If I don’t hunt regularly. I really would go insane. Lucky for us, there’s plenty of deer and bears around.”
“Deer and bear?”
“And squirrels and rabbits but they aren’t filling.”
“Obviously.” She frowned. “Off you go for a late-night snack. Find something tasty.”
“I’ll try.” Caleb kissed her on the cheek before he sprinted into the woods.
What to think about this?
Her boyfriend drains the blood from poor woodland creatures. It should disgust her, but she was a fan of fresh venison steaks and never turned down a hamburger when they were available pre-pandemic. Damn, she was making herself miss dollar-menu fast food right now. Was it really so crazy in this bizzarro world she called home?
The rustle of small animals scurrying away turned loud amid the silence. And then two pinpricks burned scarlet in front of her. As they drew closer, they grew into demonic red eyes like seen in old photos. Those eyes stared into her soul. Caleb was but a blurry image when he approached, back by her side before she could blink. She hadn’t known what to expect but his clothes remained clean. She’d wondered if he’d returned covered in blood and guts. He appeared healthy, happy, and sane.
“That’s it?” she asked.
“What did you expect?” He shrugged his shoulders before sitting on the blanket. “I had an extra meal. I’m a growing boy.”
“I’m not sure how to react to all of this.” The darkness hid her heated cheeks.
“It’s a strange new reality. All of us needed a while to come to terms with what we are now. Accepting this new life is liberating. Discarded my old self for an improved one. At least that’s the line I’m selling to myself.”
“Who were you before all of this?”
“I was in college, liked music, played guitar, and had started a band. My goal was to be a rich and famous rock star or a music teacher.”
“Seriously?” Jenna stared at him in disbelief.
“Average, normal person just like you. Hated math just like you. I was on campus when the virus invaded. They didn’t even have time to evacuate us and send everyone home. By the time I was able to get in the car and leave, half the campus was in the infirmary infected or dead. Coming home wasn’t much better. My parents and sisters were already gone.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Everyone still kicking has a story like mine or yours or worse.” He shifted, gaze intent. “I didn’t bring you here to make you sad or talk about the past. What can I do to make you happy in the present?”
“Would you play something for me. There has to be a guitar somewhere in the area.”
“That’s what you want?” He pointed at himself. “Out of everything you might have had.”
“It’s what I want.”
“I have a guitar in my room but haven’t played since the outbreak. I might not remember how. I’m not sure I want to play anymore.”
She moved close. “It’s romantic and if you want a second date, you’re going to have to woo me.”
Caleb chuckled. “Woo you? What pandemic have you survived? We’re not back in the flu pandemic of the early 1900s.” His hand moved to her knee. “I’ll woo you if that’s what you really want. Your wish is my command.”
“Really?”
“You. This. Whatever we have going here is keeping me sane, so if I need to woo, I’ll woo.”
“Please stop saying the word woo. I’m so sorry I started this.”
He leaned in and Jenna moved expecting a kiss.
She shrieked when Caleb’s fingers found her side and tickled her stomach. Jenna kicked out, but he refused relent.
“Mercy. Mercy,” she begged and sat wheezing, leaning on his strong shoulder.
“How’s that for being wooed?”
“Not what I expected, but I guess it will do.”
More.
Jenna packed the remains of dinner, placing plates and cups in a picnic basket. She walked next to Caleb, heading back to the inn. Once there, she held his hands, breathing in the electricity between them. Their fingers danced.
“It was a great date.” His eyes caught hers.
Heat simmered in her core. “I’m in one-hundred percent agreement.”
“Would you consider another? Let’s do some exploring and check out the empty house at the beach.”
“I’d like that very much.” Her husky whispered words embarrassed her.
Caleb grabbed the basket from her, climbed the steps to the inn, and opened the front door. “Coming?”
What’s he doing?
She didn’t want to consider the end of the night but loved the emotional high he gave her.
She watched him step inside, moving far away.
Damn, not the way I expected to end the night.
“I need you to come back for a moment.” Her voice sounded loud in th
e quiet evening.
He retraced his steps and held out a hand to help her. She resisted, drawing him to her and planted a kiss on his lips.
She’d take what she wanted.
He drew back, but then his lips melted with her, and his hand brought her close.
The kiss was exotic and intoxicating. A cliff dive off the edge of her reality. She wanted to keep the intensity and security forever.
A noise from inside the inn startled her. She eyed the windows to determine if someone was spying. Forcing herself away, she scurried around him, hopped the steps, and disappeared inside.
She blew him a kiss from the lobby and headed to her room.
Her fingers brushed her lips, and she wondered if Caleb wanted more. She did. In bed, she tossed, replaying the date, and contemplated why she’d been the one to kiss him.
Did he have all the feelings he claimed to? If he did, what comes next?
19
In his room, Caleb studied the guitar. He stared at it, poked it like roadkill with his foot before picking it up. It had survived the outbreak, his travels, his only constant companion, and keepsake from the past. His father had given it to him and taught him how to play.
At the arrival of the pandemic, Caleb understood it was adapt to the new world or die. When he’d woken up, disorientated from the fever, and of the New Race, he’d refused to look back. He’d slammed the door on the past, but then Jenna showed up and made him want to share.
Caleb wanted more, but she was skittish. They could share whatever this new life would offer, but only if she made the choice to do so. Jenna had to pick him. To want him. A hard lesson to learn by herself, but Caleb would help her down the road a little bit.
The guitar rested against his knees. Thrumming the strings and tuning the instrument, he began to play. The notes and chords sang cherished memories. Transitioning into the song he wanted to share with Jenna, Caleb considered writing a song for her. It would have to wait. It would take time to compose it, but the inn just might give him the needed respite.
Gorgeous in a quirky, kick the living shit out of a Streaker kind of way, Jenna differed from his initial impressions. From the day the group came across her in the cemetery, she’d been moody, independent, and wild, but the tough exterior hid a fragile nature and tragedies. Tragedies were the things they all shared the most of these days.
She rebelled against this existence, and he could tell, she still mourned her old life. While it was tough to crack her hard exterior while on the road struggling for survival, now she’d revealed a gentler, nostalgic side. As the last notes echoed from his guitar, Caleb could not help but wonder when he had fallen in love.
He lowered the instrument and crossed to his bedroom window overlooking the lake. The first hint of the sun, ready to rise, diminished the darkness. Exhaustion clung, and he sprawled across the big bed. Before allowing sleep to dominate, he planned their next date.
A week had passed, and for Jenna, the days dragged slowly. She tended the garden, removing the weeds that no amount of plucking had been able to eliminate, to abate her insecurity about Caleb. She was happy, still riding the high from her time with him. Her garden, that was producing something good as well. The maturing plants supplied a variety of vegetables.
On autopilot, Jenna plucked weeds and considered about how much of a farmer she’d turned into. Alongside Jackie, Beth, and Emma, she learned different canning techniques. Even Aiko joined in and their little party experimented with preserving food for the winter. Now the group had fresh milk thanks to a recent discovery of a nanny goat in the woods, and they planned to find recipes utilizing milk and cheese.
While tempted to join with the scavenging party leaving to explore new, not-so-nearby residences, the garden, the horses, and new goat, eradicated any free time. Cat, who nudged a hand every time she put it down, was also very demanding.
She spied Emma crossing the field in her direction.
No surprise there.
Tonight, she had a big date with Caleb, but she hadn’t caught a glimpse of him. The man had to be plotting with the older woman.
“Can I help you?” Emma asked.
“Of course.”
She sat cross legged on the ground and began to pull at weeds. “What’s new?”
“Since yesterday, nothing.”
“What’s new with you and Caleb?” Her voice trilled.
“I’m looking forward to tonight. Isn’t that what you really came out here to talk about?”
“You know me so well. Tell me everything. What are you doing? Where are you going?”
“It’s not like we can watch a movie or go to a Broadway play.” Jenna shook her head in disbelief. “Weren’t you in on it anyway. I thought you were part of the planning committee.”
“He’s kept it secret from me too. You must have some inkling.”
“He won’t tell me anything.”
Emma’s eyebrow shot up. “Not one clue?”
“I swear.”
“So romantic.”
“It’s frustrating. And this is all so weird because right outside our little utopia Streakers rule and people, if there are any left, continue to die.”
“More reasons to enjoy what you have and the fact you can have it.”
“I’m worried about one thing. Remember how I was alone and injured when I met the group?”
“You had scars on your stomach. I was scared it would get infected. I’m always looking out for you, girlfriend.”
“I’m afraid to tell Caleb the entire story.”
“Why?”
“It’s ugly.”
“Tell me and let me be the judge.”
“When the pandemic was in full swing, we stowed away at a school that was supposed to be a safe house. As time went on, there were less and less of us. Some died and then when supplies got low, many left.”
“I’m sure many people went through the same situation.”
“By the end, there were a bunch of kids and maybe five or six adults who stayed with us. When we finally left the school, no one had a solid plan. It was awful, and within two weeks we lost half the group. We were unprepared and ill-equipped. It was akin asking kids, and teens, and financial analysts to become zombie killers. It’s not like the television shows made it appear.”
“Preach, girlfriend.”
“At the end it was me and this guy named Danny. He was older, and one night, we were in a house. He was scared and mad and tried to, you know. He tried to . . .” The words died on her lips.
“Take advantage of you?”
“Yes.” A tear slid down Jenna’s cheek. “When I fought back, he took out a knife and sliced me. He wanted me dead if I wasn’t going to give in. That’s the reason I have the scars. I ran and by some miracle escaped. Then you came to my rescue in the graveyard.”
“What a horrible story, but why can’t you tell Caleb about it?”
“What if he looks at me differently? What if he sees the scars and decides I’m hideous inside and out?”
“Silly girl.” She gave Jenna a motherly hug. “You’re so beautiful, and Caleb knows how lucky he is.”
“Sure.” She bit her lip.
“It’s getting late. Don’t you have to get ready?”
“Let’s head back.” She stood and dusted her hands on her jeans.
Once inside, the women parted ways. Aiko sauntered by in the hall carrying clean dinner dishes.
Go away guilt! Doesn’t matter Quentin’s out of danger.
It didn’t matter how good a friend or how often she visited. No matter how much they talked about the horses or the petty squabbles at the inn, it wasn’t the same.
One best friend gone. Pathetic.
Quentin had become more and more distant. Worse, every time she went to visit, Aiko refused to leave if present. While the woman remained polite, Jenna wanted to bring her down if only because Quentin preferred Aiko to stay. In fact, he pretty much hinted Jenna could stop coming and he would be fine.
Getting ready for tonight would cheer her. She wanted to look good but didn’t have much in the way of options. Most of her clothes tended to fall on the practical side: rugged flannel shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans along with serviceable steel-toed boots.
Jenna had saved a single dress rolled in her ratty shoe box. Her mom’s favorite, she’d been unable to get rid of it. The little black dress had followed Jenna no matter where she moved. There’d never been an occasion to wear it, but tonight was the time for a change.
She dug under her messy pile of shirts and carefully unpacked the dress from in between tissue paper. Along with the garment, a shiny silver tube fell to the ground. Jenna had forgotten it. Mom’s favorite red lipstick. The wrinkled black dress was in good condition. The memories it brought to mind were also well preserved, yet somewhat painful to relive.
Mom. Dad. Miss you so much.
She headed to the bathroom, a tear sliding down her cheek, wondering if the sleek garment would fit. Jenna had found Caleb, and she was ready to deal with her past in hopes of creating a future. She stripped and showered. The black silk was a little big but slid like rose petals along her skin. The neckline plunged lower than she remembered, but there was little she could do to remedy that or the wrinkles. Black boots and a beat-up leather jacket finished the outfit.
Call it a fashion statement.
Braiding her hair in the mirror, she almost didn’t recognize the person who stared back. The woman was thin, had circles under her eyes, scars on her cheek from where the glass cut her, but her gaze remained strong.
Cherry red lipstick adorned her lips. It gave her hope her old world and new world might somehow find balance. If she could reconcile the past with the present, happiness might also exist. She bore witness to both steel and softness in the reflection.
Outside, Gus and Emma enjoyed the evening weather.
“Wow,” said Emma. “You clean up nice, girlfriend.”
“Thanks. Have either of you seen Caleb?”
“He’s the good kind. You two getting pretty close?” Gus asked.
“Sure,” Jenna said. She had a sinking suspicion Emma had given Gus a little too much information.