Zombie Queen

by Mary Martel

  Switching my attention to where Sam’s beam is cutting through the darkness in the other room, I follow it to a small pallet-type bed situated between three bookshelves. It makes me cringe and not just because I’m a puss about small spaces, but to know Emerald was living here alone like this. At least it seems to offer some level of comfort as I look around at some of the books with their spines creased so many times it’s hard to read the titles. Add those to the string of lights and soft blanket on the makeshift bed, and it’s possible that it wasn’t as miserable as it looks at first glance.

  Sam turns toward the corner before strolling off in that direction. I ignore him, making my way around the tight edges between the bed and shelves. A book lies open facedown on the floor as though she stopped mid-chapter and set it down. Picking it up, I mark her place with the minuscule flip of the top corner before closing it to get a look at the cover. It’s clearly one of those romance novels my English teacher got caught reading so many times between breaks in classes. Some of the assholes stole one of them and read it aloud in the guy's locker room one day. It was funny at the time, because come on, we were teenage boys. It wasn’t hilarious at all when the teacher got in trouble and almost suspended from her job for letting them get their hands on it. Thankfully for her, the people in power decided to let her stay but banned her from ever bringing the books to school again. The guys in the locker room that day gave her so much shit for the rest of the year, too. Calling her names and picking on her to the point that I actually felt bad for her. For a moment, I wonder what may have happened to that teacher. Did she end up in a place like this? Safe and surrounded by the books she loved so much?

  I physically shake my head, trying to dislodge the thought before stuffing the book in my back pocket. Searching a few more shelves, I find more books, some food, and a small duffle bag in the corner. We’re not desperate enough for food yet to go stealing from Em’s stash without her permission, and I don’t think she’s in need of any of it. Instead, I unzip the duffle and stuff some of the books inside. I fit as many as I can around the spare pair of jeans I find folded on one of the shelves. Even with everything as organized as it is, it’s hard to tell what she’d want with her for comfort. Other than the books, everything else seems to be more for survival than comfort. The thought makes my chest clench. Being in this dark store is one thing, but alone, on top of that, is another. It’s no wonder she’s like a rabid raccoon, ready to bite the finger off the first person to talk to her.

  Quiet cursing behind me pulls me away from the morose turn of my thoughts before Sam asks, “Can you come over here and help me with this thing?”

  Careful to keep my light on the floor to make sure I’m not going to trip, I make my way over to the opposite corner.

  “Why are you trying to move it?” I question while deciding whether or not to help him.

  He sighs. “She gave me a list and told me they’d all be behind these shelves. Said that it’d be a tight squeeze, but tight for her means impossible for me. The only way I’m getting back there is if we move this heavy bitch.”

  I angle my light towards his face as I ask, “What did she put on the list that’s so important you had to risk your life for it?”

  Pinching the sides of his nose makes his voice come out nasally as he replies, “Food. Some cans of shit and some ingredients.”

  Doesn’t seem like it would be all that worth it, but we’re already here, so we might as well follow through. Dropping the duffle, I prop the light on top, pointed towards the shelf we’re trying to move. Sam wasn’t lying about it being a heavy mother. His grunt echoes mine as it slides to the side slowly, leaving a gap big enough for him to fit in.

  “Holy shit,” he whispers once he’s inside.

  Curious, I grab my light again and poke my head through the gap with it. Holy shit is right. This girl has enough food and supplies to last her for many months. A lot of it is dried and canned goods. There are unopened containers of water on some of the bottom shelves, which explains why it was so hard to move. I’d say it was done intentionally by the look of the set up. Honestly, if Sam hadn’t pulled me over, I never would’ve thought to look behind these at all. It’s pretty ingenious.

  Speaking of which, the man is pulling a few things off the shelf one at a time as if ticking them off the list in his head, slipping them into a small over the shoulder bag.

  “Are you getting the right stuff?” I ask.

  He nods. “The list wasn’t, and I memorized it on the way here.”

  By the time he slips back out through the crack, his sack is bulging out a little. For the sake of his life and balls, I hope he didn’t take more than what she told him to. Though watching what she’d do to him might make for some good entertainment. Then I remember I’m technically in that same boat of trouble and keep my mouth shut.

  We move the shelf back to its starting position before heading back towards the ladder that leads to the roof. He lets me go first, waiting until I’m halfway up the rungs to shut the smaller door behind us. It makes me wonder if he caught my small freak out before or if he’s just trying to leave it as he found it. Either way, I’m just glad I’m almost out before he does it.

  Climbing out, I lie flat and look over the edge to ask, “Need any help?”

  He gives me a small shake of his head as he flips off his light and props it beside mine on the shelf and starts up. I don’t wait on him to make it to the top. Doing a small forward crab walk over to the emergency stairs, I peek over the edge into the alley. The coast is clear. I just hope it stays that way.

  Tossing a glance over my shoulder, I watch Sam latch the padlock before doing the same sort of scuffle over to where I’m ready to get the hell off this roof.

  Once both of our feet are firmly on the ground, I push myself into his face. “We’ve got to go find Kemp. Stick together this time. No more running off to do your own thing.”

  He nods his reply without looking remorseful in the least. Tightening my grip on my weapon that I haven’t set down except for a few minutes inside Emerald’s home, I take off down the alley with Sam right on my heels.

  Nothing gets us sidetracked or steps into our path between us and the store where Kemp was last headed. The side door is propped open with a small rock. A sign from Kemp that he’s still inside and it’s been cleared. It creaks on its hinges for all of half a second as we make a hole big enough for us to slip through. Kemp’s pistol is in our face within the next second.

  “I’m going to punch your fucking teeth down your throat,” he growls at Sam. “See how much she likes you when you’re having to gum your goddamn food.”

  “Later,” I tell him, knowing we’re short on time before Noble comes searching.

  His nostrils flare with his snort, but he lowers the gun and goes back to where his bag sits half full on the floor.

  I glare at Sam over my shoulder. “Stay here.”

  Not waiting for a response, I move to the other side of the store in search of the items on our list. A lot of it is already in Kemp’s bag, but I don't see any batteries or candles. This store was one of those big places you need a special card to be able to buy anything from before shit went down. I bet Kemp is getting a kick out of this shit. There’s no way in hell he had a card to be able to shop here. Any way to stick it to the man, and he’s down for it.

  I huff a laugh under my breath as I snatch some emergency candles from the shelf in the outdoors section. This town must’ve fallen fast if they’ve still got shit like this on the shelves. It’s a miracle Emerald survived at all.

  On the way to the display at the end of the row, I pass an entire section of glow sticks. It gives me an idea for something I saw once, and I do have some trouble I need to be ass-kissing my way out of. Snatching a handful of the packs from the peg, I stuff them down the front pocket of my jeans. Hopefully they’ll be safer there than in the duffle that could get thrown around. One more tiny thing to add to the list after the batteries, and then we can get
back to the Hummer.

  And back home to Emerald.

  Emerald

  It seriously grinds my gears to feel like an invalid or liability. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time without any problems. Now here I sit on the front porch at a lake incapable of even walking to the door without hopping like a damn bunny to get there. Irrational anger sparks in my chest, blaming every male residing inside this house. Everything was just fine until they rolled into town. It’s not all their fault, just easiest to push the blame that direction.

  A long deep sigh slips between my lips as I look out over the lake. Well, at least if I’m stuck somewhere, it’s here with a great view. My head cocks to the side as I get a glimpse of Graham down by the water. Scooting over to the porch rail side of the swing, I lift my chin to get a better look. He’s bare chested while doing some kind of Tai Chi. Sweat makes hard muscle gleam as he moves from one position to the next. Yeah, the view isn’t bad at all.

  “What are you doing?” Joseph asks from where his face pops up between the rails practically in front of my face.

  I slap a hand to my chest and jump back but thankfully don’t squeak in fright. The chains give a groan of protest at swinging at the wrong angle.

  Leveling him with the hardest glare I can manage, I warn, “Do you have any idea the bad things that could’ve just happened to you just now? I could’ve stabbed you right in the eye with you scaring me like that.”

  Grabbing the top of the rail, he lifts one long leg up to give his foot purchase on the porch before leaping over it to land in front of the swing.

  “You aren’t quick enough,” he teases, shuffling backward to lean against the rail. That long, dark hair hangs down both sides of his face and brushes his shirt with every move.

  Without giving me a chance to defend myself, he adds, “So, what was so interesting on the bank that caught your attention?”

  I lift my hand as I open my mouth, but he’s already turning. My fingers curl into a fist that I bring to my lips as I realize there’s going to be no way to hide the flame to my cheeks.

  Joseph huffs out a laugh. “Oh, I see now.”

  Snapping my fingers in the space between us brings his amused gaze back to me, and I say, “I didn’t ask for your judgement, so sit over there and keep your mouth shut.”

  He throws his hands up in the air in a truce but doesn’t wipe the smile from his face as he replies, “You’ll find no judgement from me. Simple curiosity was all. Of all the people you could’ve gotten caught drooling over, even you have to admit it’s not a bad choice. Imagine if it had been Kemp.”

  His words bring a picture to the front of my mind. The wild man down there with Doc doing his own version. Shirtless. I find myself wanting to know if those cute freckles cover more than his face, or if his hard ass exterior is more than just show, and there’s a blanket of tattoos he’s hiding.

  Joseph laughs again, and I shift closer, getting ready to shove him backward off the rail. Of course, that’s when Graham decides to stroll up to us.

  “What’s so funny?” he asks, wiping his face down with a small hand towel.

  “Nothing,” I reply quickly. Too quickly if Graham’s eyebrow lift is anything to go by.

  “How long do these runs normally take?” I question, trying my best to change the subject.

  Joseph’s chuckles die down, and he crosses his arms over his chest as he goes back and forth watching each of us as we speak.

  A small shrug from Graham when he answers, “They weren’t going for much, so they should be home soon. They’ve been known to not get home ‘til dark or after if they run into trouble.”

  Trouble. In my town. My home. And here I am stuck in a freaking swing not able to do anything. If I don’t find something to occupy my time, I’m going to go as crazy as wild man says I am.

  “Can either one of you teach me how to shoot the crossbow?” I request politely.

  “I’m not that good of a shot with it,” Joseph admits.

  Graham quickly follows that up with, “It wouldn’t matter if you were. Sorry, Em. The guys took it with them this morning when they left.”

  Well, damn. One of the things on the list for the next run is a new one. I love my swords, but I’d seriously like to have a bow as backup.

  Wonder what it would take to get Noble to add one to the list.

  The question takes my brain off into right field, reminding me of a similar question asked in one of the romance novels I’d been reading before getting caught. The chick had done some pretty dirty things to get what she wanted. Could I do something like that with Noble? Would I even want to? He’s nice enough that all I’d likely have to do is ask, but dirty things might be fun, too.

  “Okay, you have to tell me what you were thinking about right now to make your face look all scrunchy and cute like that,” Joseph demands.

  Trying to squelch the blush I can feel rising to my cheeks again, I glance over to where Graham still stands at the stairs and offer, “I know a lot about plants and stuff that grow in the woods. If you guys aren’t doing anything and can help me out there, I can show you some of what I know.”

  If I can’t shoot the bow, exercise, or practice with my swords, I might as well make myself useful other ways. At least until Sam gets back with my stuff. Then they’ll all be in for a surprise.

  Joseph jumps up and claps his hands together. “I’m down. Let’s do this.”

  Graham gives us a short nod with a smile before running that towel down the tanned skin of his torso. The former shoots me a knowing grin, but I try my damnedest not to look at either of them. Especially as Graham pulls his shirt over his head and that sexy as sin and going to hell man V makes itself known above his pants. He misses me picking my jaw up off the floor, but Joseph doesn’t.

  “Ready?” the perky mofo asks with a grin, holding his arm out to help me up.

  If I didn’t need him to help me stand, I’d so push him over the rail this time. As it is, I decide he gets one strike to embarrass me before I nut punch him. Grabbing hold of his arm and pulling myself up, I shoot him my best wicked smile. A laugh almost bubbles from my chest at the slight drop in his lips and wary look in his eyes.

  That’s right, mofo. You better be nervous.

  Between him and Graham, we manage to make it at least fifty yards or more into the woods with me pointing out several things that are edible and some that aren’t. Making it a point to use one of the best lines I’ve ever read, “When in doubt, throw it out.”

  We arch around to follow the shoreline back to the house.

  My arm pops out toward the water as I spot little brown things blowing in the breeze, Joseph making an umph sound when my elbow accidentally connects with his sternum. It really was an accident, but I don’t apologize because we both know he deserves it.

  “That’s cattail,” I tell them. “You can use the bottom parts of the leaves for salads, and the stems can be eaten raw if you don’t have a way to cook them. The brown part is the flower, and you can eat those too, but you have to roast them.”

  “Have you ever eaten any?” Joseph asks while staring at the plants like he’s trying to study them.

  “No,” I admit, “but I read they’re not that awful. Especially if you’re desperately starving. I doubt you’d mind. They say it tastes almost like a bitter cucumber.”

  “You seriously read an outdoors plant survival manual?” Graham asks, looking impressed.

  I preen a little on the inside before replying, “Not exactly. That was in a North American wildlife manual. It had animals, plants, fish, and all of that good stuff. I could probably tell you what kind of fish you’ve been catching or identify a snake if we come across it. I had a lot of spare time to research and let all of this information seep in. But I did read a survival manual too, so if we had to make a run for it with nothing but our clothes on our backs, I could make us spears and start a fire. There was a ton of stuff in that one I’d love to try. I should’ve gotten Sam to g
rab that, too.”

  My admission is out before I can stop it. These guys make it easy to spill all of my secrets without thinking about it. They’re looking at each other over the top of my head, but I don’t think it has anything to do with my confession. Graham’s expression is thoroughly impressed, while Joseph’s mouth hangs open in shock.

  “What?” I ask. “You think men are the only ones capable of taking care of themselves in this shit? We just keep you around for the muscle.”

  I don’t know the we I’m referring to. I mean, obviously women, but it’s not like I know any. Just trying to get those looks off their faces.

  Of course, Joseph recovers first with a snort. “Yeah, you do like those muscles, don’t you?”

  Whipping around so fast my hair hits me in the cheek, I point a finger in his face. “This is your one and only strike. Don’t blame me for what happens next time.”

  His Adam’s apple bobs with his swallow half a second before I hear a moan from the trees. Eyes wide, his face goes white. Graham jumps in front of me just as a fuckface stumbles out. My nose scrunches at the missing chunks from his neck and arms. Apparently, as much as they talk, these two have never had to truly get their hands dirty. Graham, the beautiful, tanned, muscled dummy isn’t as street smart as he is book smart. Who the fuck throws themselves in front of an undead shithead without a weapon? Exactly what I was talking about in the fucking barn. He’d die before letting that thing get to us.

  I let out a sigh as it finally notices us. Pushing Graham to the side, I pull my sword out of its scabbard on my back. They’d looked at me like I was nuts when I demanded they fetch it before we set off out here. They can thank me later.

  My only problem is trying to walk without tweaking my ankle, so I’ll have to let it come to me. I don’t like that plan because both Graham and Joseph are breathing down my neck.

  I’ve just decided to hobble forward a few steps when an arrow comes out of nowhere and lodges itself in the side of the fuckface’s temple. The three of us turn to find Kemp about fifteen or so yards down the bank.