Bloody Sunset

by Gwendolyn Harper

  Turning down the hall towards the science classrooms the group had converted into a makeshift clinic, they poked their head into the first doorway.

  “Nicole?” Caitlin called.

  Whirling around, red hair fanning out, Nicole beamed. “You’re back!”

  She jogged over, nearly toppling both of them in a group hug.

  “Were you gone longer this time, or did it just feel that way?”

  “Steve said basically the same thing,” Caitlin said with a smile. “Glad to know we’re missed.”

  “Always.” Nicole released them and glanced back at Scott and the man they were fitting for a splint. “We’re almost done here.”

  “Got some goods for ya doc,” Booker announced, moving into the room.

  Holding a piece of the brace still, Scott nodded, offering a smile. “Thank you. You can put everything over on that table while I finish up with Clark here.”

  “We heard about the accident,” Caitlin said, lowering her backpack to the floor.

  “Yeah, that was a rough day. But thankfully Clark here missed that.”

  The other man winced as Scott adjusted his foot.

  “Didn’t miss that gopher hole though,” Clark said between gritted teeth. “Should’ve been watching where I was going.”

  Scott gave him a reassuring pat on the knee. “At least you only sprained it. That’s a much faster recovery time than a break.”

  Retrieving a few boxes from her bag, Caitlin took Nicole by the hand and tugged.

  “Hey,” she whispered, jerking her head towards the door.

  Following her, Nicole waited until they were in the hallway before asking, “Were you able to find it?”

  “Yeah, I got you a two pack,” Caitlin said, handing them over. “They didn’t have name brand, so I figured… In case the first one isn’t clear…”

  Nicole stared down at the pregnancy tests and nodded.

  “Thank you.”

  Caitlin worried the inside of her lip for a moment.

  “I also got you these,” she said, giving her the second small box. “I’m not saying you have to use them, or putting any judgement on whatever choice you make, but I saw them and thought… Well, just to cover all your bases.”

  The label read like a glaring neon sign. Mifeprex.

  “Abortion pills,” Nicole breathed.

  Caitlin reached for her, holding her wrist gently. “It’s just in case. It’s a ‘maybe’ on top of an ‘I don’t know’. And you don’t have to use them if—”

  “God, there are a lot of bridges to cross all at once,” Nicole said, glancing up at the ceiling.

  “Did you tell Scott?”

  Nicole nodded. “Yeah. He’s… Well, you know. He wanted kids, but that was before we had to worry about protecting them from zombies. Now, we’re not sure what we want.”

  Pulling her friend into a hug, Caitlin whispered, “Whatever you decide, I know it’s the right choice. You’ve always been good at making the tough calls.”

  “Hey, you ready to—” Booker pulled up short. “Sorry, I didn’t mean t’interrupt.”

  Backing up, Nicole wiped a thumb under her eye and smiled.

  “It’s okay,” she said, giving Booker a pat on his arm. “I’m going to finish up here with Scott and we’ll meet you for dinner.”

  She glanced once more at Caitlin before slipping back into the room.

  Part of Caitlin felt confident that whatever happened, they’d handle it.

  Luck or no luck, they’d dug themselves out of worse positions. They could do it again.

  But an even larger part—a loud, overwhelming part rooted deep inside—was drowning in dread. For Nicole, for Scott…

  For everyone.

  * * * * * * *

  Caitlin shifted under her sleeping bag, slowly coming back to awareness.

  Blue grey morning light sifted through the row of windows across from their makeshift bed in the corner.

  Sometimes she missed being on the road—missed having a forward trajectory, even if it was only for a few days. But she never missed sleeping in the back of the Jeep. Their layered foam mats and cot mattress, adorned with a quilt and two sleeping bags, were the creature comforts she was always happy to return to.

  Rolling onto her back, she blinked up at the tile ceiling.

  It couldn’t have been later than six-thirty if the cold winter light was anything to go by.

  She wondered if she’d ever get a full night’s sleep ever again.

  “You up?” Booker mumbled, half of his face buried in the blankets.

  She smiled, looking over at him. “Barely.”

  Grunting, he nestled back into the bedding. “Five more minutes then.”

  Tugging the sleeping bag up around his shoulders, she gently brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead.

  He still had nightmares, but they’d dipped in frequency. Sometimes they were bad— talking in his sleep, cold sweats, jolting awake like he was ready to fight or flee.

  Caitlin knew the drill now. Knew how to calm him down, how to talk to him while he was still half in dreamland to bring him back around, knew the best way to soothe him back to sleep.

  She’d never tell him she also knew how to block his flailing limbs to prevent getting a black eye.

  It would only break his heart more.

  Booker’s nightmares also made it so they had a room all to themselves near the end of one of the corridors. A smaller classroom probably used for tutoring or special needs students once upon a time. Now it was all theirs.

  Silver lining, Booker had said, flashing a shy smile as they dropped their gear and began settling in.

  “Fine,” he said with a groan, rolling into a stretch. “If you’re gonna be up thinkin’ this loud, I might as well get up too.”

  Caitlin laughed. “I didn’t realize my thoughts were depriving you of sleep.”

  “More than just your thoughts,” he murmured, kissing the curve of her shoulder. “Not that I’m complainin’.”

  “How can you be such a flirt before it’s even dawn?”

  “Maybe wakin’ up next t’you keeps me inspired.”

  “Oh wow,” she said, smirking. “That’s possibly the corniest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  Booker’s laugh was muffled by the blue nylon sleeping bag.

  “What? Not Hallmark card material?”

  “Needs a little polishing, but you’ll get there.”

  As she started to disentangle herself from the bedding, Booker reached for her.

  “Just ‘cause we’re up don’t mean we gotta go anywhere.”

  Caitlin leaned back and gave him a peck on the forehead.

  “All I can taste is that garlic sauce from last night,” she said. “I’m just going to brush my teeth and I’ll be back.”

  With minimal protest, Booker nodded and rolled onto his stomach, arms wrapping around his pillow.

  Grabbing her thermal leggings and boots, Caitlin quickly dressed herself. She debated putting on a bra under her oversized long sleeve shirt but figured if Booker was awake and interested when she got back, it would only get in the way.

  The school’s restrooms had become a luxury to the whole group.

  Stalls and sinks with running water were something she hadn’t thought they’d get to enjoy daily. Not to mention the working locker room showers in the basement. The temperature might not always be the warmest depending on the propane levels, but it was better than wet wipes and hand soap on damp rags.

  With her toothbrush and tube of toothpaste in hand, Caitlin sleepily wandered down the hallway towards the first bathroom in the dim light.

  Pushing her hair away from her face, she blinked at the white and red tile floors.

  The toe of a shoe emerged from one of the doorways, and for a moment she thought she was seeing things.

  “Good morning.”

  Caitlin jerked. “Oh god,” she exclaimed, free hand going to her throat in surprise. “Seth. Hi. I’m sorry,
I didn’t even see you.”

  “It’s okay,” he said, leaning his shoulder into the doorframe. “Not many people up at this hour.”

  Swallowing down her initial shock, she tried to smile. “Yeah well, I guess we’re the early birds.”

  “Can’t sleep?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t think a full eight hours exists for me anymore.”

  Seth nodded. “Yeah, me either. Good thing there’s plenty of halls to pace.”

  It was an innocuous admission—plenty of people wandered around at night when they couldn’t sleep—but something in his tone made Caitlin’s spine tingle.

  “Hope that doesn’t mean you’re spying on anyone,” she said, just light enough to be considered a joke, but her eyes were sharp.

  “No, no,” he said, waving her off. “Just reading a lot of the championship plaques in those display cases.”

  Not a hint of offense at being called a peeping Tom, even as a joke.

  Caitlin forced a smile. “Well if you’re ever in need of new reading material, I’m sure the library has some good stuff.” Lifting her toothbrush, she gestured to the bathrooms. “I’m just going to rid myself of this heinous morning breath. I’ll see you later.”

  “Sure will,” he said, grinning as he waved goodbye and retreated into the room he’d been standing by.

  Entering the restroom, Caitlin flicked on the camping lantern set on the paper towel dispenser and shut the door firmly behind her.

  After a moment of consideration, she twisted the deadbolt too.

  * * * * * * *

  “I tell ya what, I had my reservations,” Booker said, setting a mug of coffee down on the cafeteria table. “I didn’t think this French roast was gonna be much to sneeze at but damn, I’m a convert.”

  Caitlin glanced up from her plate of eggs and toast, smiling at him.

  “I told you,” David said, lifting his own mug in cheers. “Aren’t you glad they found it on one of the supply runs?”

  “I’m just gonna miss it when we run out.”

  Joining them, Nicole and Scott brought over their plates and mugs, greeting everyone with a round of ‘good morning’s.

  It didn’t matter the amount of space, Caitlin, Nicole, and Booker always found a way to sit side by side.

  Old habits that would never die.

  “So,” Caitlin started, whispering around the rim of her mug. “Did you…”

  Nicole nodded. “Yep. And I’m not.” She lifted her gaze to meet Caitlin’s. “I took both just to be sure, and they both said the same thing.”

  “And you’re good with this, right?”

  Taking a bite of her breakfast, Nicole hummed. “Yeah. I mean, I’m relieved. I’m not sure we’re settled enough to even consider…” She trailed off. “I’m just glad I don’t have to worry about that right now.”

  Under the table, Caitlin reached for her friend’s hand, squeezing gently.

  “Me too.”

  Leaning forward a bit, Booker jerked his chin at Nicole. “Y’comin’ with us on the next run, right?”

  “Absolutely,” she said with a smile. “I’ve missed listening to you two bicker over the music.”

  “Well if Booker had decent taste, we wouldn’t bicker so much.”

  He snorted. “Says the woman who made us listen t’NSYNC for a whole day ‘n’ a half.”

  “I was feeling nostalgic,” Caitlin countered. “You’re the one who begged for George Strait and Tim McGraw.”

  “Uh huh, and what about that Now That’s What I Call Music volume three you kept sneakin’ into rotation?”

  “It had a few good singles on there!”

  Nicole grinned, leaning forward. “Guys don’t get it all out now, or it’ll feel forced once we’re in the Jeep.”

  Staring at his plate, Scott pushed his eggs around for a moment before looking up.

  “You’re sure you want to go?”

  Nicole turned to face him. “We agreed it was a good idea to help when I could.”

  “No, I know, it’s just…” He set his fork down. “You two keep going for longer and longer,” he said, glancing at Caitlin and Booker. “Which, I’m not criticizing. I know it’s hard to find some of the things we need, or access to the next Ark camp. But…”

  Nicole scowled. “But what, Scott?”

  “Babe, they’re together.” He motioned between the other two. “They leave together, they come back together, it works because they’re a couple. I can’t go with you on these runs. I’m the group’s doctor, I can’t leave. But when you go, I don’t know if I’m going to see you again.”

  Booker nudged Caitlin’s knee, making a grab for his coffee and plate.

  “Maybe we oughta let y’all talk in private,” he said.

  Scott raised his hand, stopping him. “No, no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make breakfast awkward.”

  Reaching for his hand, Nicole said, “Scott, I love being here with you, helping in the clinic. But we were on the road for a long time, and Caitlin and Booker and I got really good at making sweeps like this. I’m useful in more ways than just stocking gauze and antibiotic ointment.”

  “I know that,” he urged, wrapping his fingers around hers. “I just… wish I was more like you.”

  Caitlin hadn’t expected to hear that.

  “It’s not just because I’m a doctor that I have to stay here,” Scott said. “I’m more of a liability out there if I do go with you.”

  “You’ve killed groaners,” Booker commented, expression taut like he hadn’t meant to interject.

  Scott nodded. “Sure, I’ve killed a few. But I’m still pretty green when it comes to operating out there.” He looked to Nicole again. “I want nothing more than to go with you, and I know that you’d just be watching my back and yours the whole time. It wouldn’t be fair or safe.”

  The table grew quiet for a moment.

  “I learned a long time ago not to make promises,” Nicole said, breaking the silence. “But trust me when I say that no matter what, I’ll do everything I can to come home to you.”

  Ducking his head, Scott seemed ready to yield, if only to change the topic.

  “We could postpone our next run a few more days,” Caitlin said. “We weren’t going to leave until next week anyway. Maybe… We could make that two weeks.”

  Glancing over at Booker, she wondered if he’d be disappointed or surprised by her offer.

  Instead he only nodded, the side of his mouth curving in a soft smile.

  Together.

  It was starting to take on a layered meaning for them now.

  Chapter Six

  Carrying a cardboard box filled to the brim with school supplies, Caitlin followed Booker as he led them to the gymnasium.

  “I keep telling Nathaniel we should start teaching defense lessons to the older kids,” she said just before they reached the double doors. “But he says that’s the parents’ call.”

  “If a parent don’t wanna teach their child evolution in science class, that’s one thing,” Booker said, shifting the box he held under his arm. “But knife skills are a necessity in this world.”

  Caitlin furrowed her brow. “Wait, are you saying you…”

  “Nah, I ain’t dumb. Dinosaurs were real and we’re all just hairless apes that climbed down outta trees,” he said, chuckling. “But just ‘cause I believe don’t mean e’r’ybody has to.”

  Stepping into the expansive gym, they were met with the slight echo of voices from the far side where Sister Agnes was leading a class.

  “So, you’re a Christian and you believe in evolution,” Caitlin commented. “You never cease to amaze, Jack Booker.”

  Glancing over his shoulder, he grinned. “I contain multitudes.”

  Upon seeing them, Sister Agnes told her students to give her a moment and read quietly.

  It always took Caitlin a moment to remember the woman was actually a nun.

  Dressed in simple Target jeans and an oversized blue button up with the sleeves r
olled to her elbows, she kept her grey hair tucked under a plain white handkerchief knotted at the nape of her neck.

  Smiling as she walked up, Sister Agnes clapped her hands together as if in prayer.

  “Thank you,” she said warmly. “I know this couldn’t have been easy to transport.”

  “We just hope we got you everything you need,” Caitlin said, setting her box down.

  “I’m certain it will be. Anything is better than nothing.”

  Booker nodded to the box he carried. “This’un’s mostly paper, pencils, some workbooks and the like. Cae’s got chapter books, a couple calculators, a lot of those tiles used for geometry…”

  Sister Agnes laid a hand on his shoulder, eyes glistening. “Angels, both of you. Thank you, Jack.”

  He grinned. “You’re the only other person in this camp that calls me Jack.”

  Offering to take one of the boxes, Sister Agnes tilted her head in thought.

  “Probably because it was also my brother’s name,” she said. “You’re almost nothing like him, except he had a good heart too. I guess that’s the only similarity that really matters now.”

  As they brought the supplies over, a few of the children waved and called out greetings.

  The little blonde three-year-old Booker had carried out of the lab in Iowa—Brianna, they’d found out later—waved so enthusiastically she smacked another kid in the head with her teddy bear.

  “Hey, y’all,” Booker said, beaming from ear to ear. “We gotcha more stuff to help ya learn and grow those brains.”

  “Class, can we say thank you to Miss Meadows and Mister Booker?” Sister Agnes asked, tone gentle and authoritative.

  “Thank you,” the children responded in unison.

  Twenty-seven little faces all looking up at them, the eldest wasn’t more than twelve. Most were orphaned by the Ark exodus, but a few had found their parents, an older sibling, cousins…

  One girl who looked to be about ten, with big, curly brown hair and bright hazel eyes, quietly tapped Booker’s shin.

  “Your boot’s untied,” she told him when he glanced down.

  “So it is,” he chuckled. “Thank you, uh…”

  Tucking her hands into her denim overalls, she tried to look disinterested.

  “Desi,” she said.