by Thomas Baker
JT spoke deep, like some husband from a lame sitcom. "How was your day, dear?" He couldn't keep it together and cracked up near the end.
"More of the same. Mucho blah, blah, blah. Just like my mom would complain about with the government, we get little done."
"Mmmmm."
"That 'hum' sounds fishy. What's up, JT?"
"I've just been thinking the past few days."
"You've been thinking? We're all in trouble now," Hannah hid her smile behind her mug.
"Screw you, I'm going home." JT made motions of getting up off the couch and heading for the door.
"You are home. Go on, I'll be quiet." JT gave her a look. "Okay, I promise to try."
"Things have been going so well with you, me, us together. I was thinking, maybe you were right before, maybe we should leave." JT took a sip, watching her over the rim of his mug.
Her face crinkled. " Why? What's sparked this thought?"
"You've done great here. I'm proud of you. I've seen you try your best but I don't think you're happy. Your guard has come down some but you haven't made new friends here. Even though I know Josh has tried." JT raised his eyebrows up and down. Hannah mock slapped him. "You're still hanging around with me, Gus, and Linda. Then that got me to thinking. What if we did starting getting close to most of the people here? The more we are here the more attached you get to them. On the council you are making decisions that affect them. Right now they are just figures and statistics but what will happen when they are names and faces? What happens to you if there is another attack by people or zombies and some of them get hurt or die? I've seen what that pressure does to you and you've seen what it doesto me. I've come around to thinking Dusty was right. We should just stick together and keep on moving."
"You and me or are you talking about the Fab Four?" Hannah was serious with her question.
JT smiled. "I haven't brought it up to Gus and Linda. I will if it comes to that. I saw Linda on the way home today. I was feeling like I was coming down with something. Wanted to see if they had any cold medicine. She gave me some Advil, told me to drink water and rest."
Hannah gave him an over the top disgusted look. "If you are getting sick, you're sleeping in the spare bedroom, mister. I don't want that crap."
JT rolled his eyes before continuing. "Poor woman, she is being worked ragged. Said she hardly even sees Childs anymore. It's like she is the one in charge. When he is there, he just gives the patients the bare minimum of a check over and then he is back with the zombies."
Hannah shivered. During cleanup, it was the second worse thing after having to bury the townspeople who died. Disposing of the zombies. It took all of her will but she made herself take part. While they were piling them up outside the fence to burn, Childs came and said he wanted five of the most preserved. For research. Hannah wanted to protest but the look on his face said that was useless. Picking the zombies, she had no part of.
"Linda's got such a good heart, it's too bad she has to put up with Childs. She will though, she will not let those people suffer."
"Right," JT said, half as a question. "Childs keeps telling her his theory, it's true. From what he's discovered, the zombies' bodies really are breaking down. Just as any corpse would, but at a reduced rate. I almost made me blurt out my idea of leaving to her right there. Because, if what Childs is saying is true, think about the possibilities."
JT left his pregnant question floating in the air. Hannah wanted to act surprised at what he was suggesting. The positive impact it could have on a decision to leave. She couldn't deny though some of the same thoughts had crossed her mind. Just on the way home after the useless meetings in fact. Even before then, when she had been moving the undead bodies and recognized some as people she had seen around town. She had a gut feeling since the attack that JT was thinking about leaving. He had been restless, even after moving in with her.
It was a good thing here. For the first time since the Outbreak. It was safe, as safe as you could get now. True safety seemed to be an illusion. The town had achieved order out of chaos. Hard work had bought and paid for it.
There was another point, one JT didn't bring up. Who knew if there was another Roy, or Albright, or Harold in town. If not now, then maybe arriving with the next group of survivors. She wouldn't, couldn't fathom the belief of how terrible that world could be, back in what was her sheltered life. Living on those suburban streets and that college campus. That seemed like a different person in a different world now.
"With you is where I want to be JT. We both know I've been thinking about it off and on since we got here. But we can't be rash, let's sleep on it tonight and tomorrow we can discuss the logistical possibilities."
That night sleep escaped both Hannah and JT. They both got up as the sun rose. Gus was an early riser anyhow, so they opted to catch him before he left his house, along with Linda too.
The two of them commented on how peaceful things seemed early in the morning as they walked hand in hand the three blocks over to where Gus and Linda stayed. They both wore smiles as they saw Gus and Linda embracing while looking out their front window. When Gus saw them approaching his smile came to life, and he made his way over to their front door and opened it inviting them in.
"Honey, the kids are home!" Gus poked fun as Hannah and JT entered.
The group idly chatted for a few minutes while Linda made fresh coffee. When it was ready, they settled around the fire where JT decided it was time to get down to business.
"Gus, Linda we have some serious things to discuss with you guys." JT started.
"Well, I didn't figure this visit was for a casual breakfast, let's get down to brass tacks kids, what's eating away at ya?" Gus seemed uncharacteristically concerned.
"Hannah and I have been giving things a lot of thought lately. We realize how comfortable things can be here but were still discussing leaving. Possibly soon, before any of us get more attached to anything here."
Gus and Linda shot worried looks at each other before Hannah continued where JT left off.
"I don't think I'm cut out to help save this place. I like most the people here, I have enjoyed pitching in to helpout. It's even restored someof my faith that maybe the world can go back to the way it once was but I don't think I want to become anymore involved here." Hannah was solemn in her seriousness.
"So what is it you are proposing here? That we just up and leave like thieves in the night?"Linda could tell they were being sold on the idea already.
"No, not like that at all." Hannah continued, "we will take a few days, plan things out, help where we can in the meantime. Give us all time to gather what we need, say our goodbyes. With any luck Child's or Henry will have someone give us a lift down the mountain or let us take one of the snow vehicles with us. JT had the idea, maybe we can find a place with an RV, so we can avoid having to find shelter while staying on the move."
Gus stood up and leaned on the mantle of the fireplace, resting his head on folded arms momentarily before turning to face them again.
"Well, maybe I can be the one to drive you down the mountain, help you find what you need." Gus said the words while his eyes welled up and he shoved his hands deep down into his pockets. JT couldn't find the strength to look at Gus like that, he felt like they had just broken his heart and he buried his chin in his chest focusing hard on the floor.
"Gus, no..." Hannah trailed off, unable to finish her sentence before getting choked up herself. Linda slid close to her wrapping her arm around her shoulders.
"I can't, I just can't keep up anymore, I'd only slow you kids down. I'm not trying to dissuade you in the slightest. If that's what you two want then I understand. But I need you both to promise this old man you will take care of each other, no more bullshit choices from either of you." Gus was fighting back his emotions hard as his voice wavered.
The three of them stood, all embraced in a group hug around Gus as tears were shed. Linda joined them and to Hannah she felt that completed her decision.
The four of them spent the next couple of months together making plans and allowing winter to run its final and most brutal course.JT found two old calendars from one shop in town and decided they would mark days off until they got to thirty.
JT and Hannah arrived at Gus' house on the twenty ninth night. They would have one last night together. Hannah wanted a perfect last night together, because it would be hard for her.
"You ready for this?" JT asked as they stood outside the front door.
"No, but I'll survive." She squeezed JT's hand hard. Then she knocked.
Gus opened the door. "If it ain't Bonnie and Clyde. You two get your asses in here." Once inside and coats were off, Gus gave them both bear hugs.
They ate and joked throughout the night. When Gus brought out a small battery operated boom box with a handful of CDs JT laughed. It was all old country music but still they all danced and goofed around until the wee hours of the morning.
When they had to say goodbye Hannah couldn't hold it in any longer. She cried. "Gus, I'll miss your sorry ass so much. Linda, it's been so nice to get to know you."
"Stop missie, before you get my waterworks aflowin'. You know I'm taken you down the mountain tomorrow. When you know you can't see perfection anymore, then you can cry."
Gus gave her another embrace that made her think of her father.
"JT, you make sure you both come back and check on me and Linda. Make sure she hasn't gotten'tired of my old ass and poisoned me or something. Being a nurse, she probably knows twenty sneaky was to kill a man."
"It's twenty five, dear. So you best behave," Linda corrected.
JT chuckled but Hannah could also hear the thickness in his voice. "We sure will. See you bright and early in the morning?"
"With tinkerbells on." Gus said. He shut the door on them
"It feels like an end of an era," JT said to Hannah on the way back home.
This will be a lot rougher than I thought.
JT could already feel the lump in his throat and a welling in his eyes. Next to him Hannah was already crying, tears glowing in the cold winter sun. Her breath steamed in the frosty air.
They had come down out of the mountains into Colorado Springs. JT and Hannah had fallen into a familiar groove through the months before they left. They had spent the last of the winter slowly withdrawing from life in the town. Hannah gave up her council seat. She nominated Gus in her place. He bitched about it all the time, but JT thought he secretly enjoyed it. They took less and less work, which Dr. Childs bitched at them about. Saying they weren't pulling their weight, even threatening to stop feeding them. Then Henry or Josh would interfere on their behalf and it would stop for a little while and start over again.
Hannah had told him Josh had tried to convince her to stay multiple times, each time grasping at more desperate reasons. He had seen how Josh followed Hannah around like a sorry puppy. He would have been angry before. Not now though, he actually felt bad for the guy.
All that drama just confirmed in JT's mind they were better off on their own. This town was the best they would find, and it still wasn't for them. Quietly they put together their survival kits, made plans, and they had had some luck on their side.
The weather had hit a warm patch lately and most of the snow on the roads melted away. The small streams had turned into rushing rivers. The white-covered ground became clearer and clearer as they lost altitude. Early in the morning, they had said goodbye to Linda again. It was a short affair; she said she didn't want it to get sappy. They hadn't known her long but JT thought she was a genuinely good person and was glad Gus had her in his life. She was a rarity these days for sure.
They kept to the outskirts of the Colorado Springs area, keeping a watchful eye for both zombies and what they were looking for. They were in luck again, as it didn't take long to find. Surveying the area first and finding it clear, they drove onto the lot of a place called All Seasons Recreations. JT and Gus loaded the supplies out of the truck Henry had loaned them into the largest RV on the lot. The most difficult part of this part of their plan was prying the key lock box open inside the sales area. The place looked dusty but intact, apparently no one had thought to check out this kindofplaces after the Outbreak.
"Sure you don't want to come with us, old timer?" JT asked, trying to hold back the emotion from his voice as the time neared for them to leave. It was happening.
Gus smiled at him. "I've had enough running around kid, enough killing, and sure as damn well enough of those zombies. It's time for this old man to go into retirement. I'll stay and help rebuild where I can. Besides, I think me and Linda could make a go of it. I don't think there's a woman on the planet that could make an honest man out of me though." They both forced an awkward chuckle.
"Well Gus, it sure was nice meeting you," JT said, holding out his hand. "I would have had a worse life if our paths hadn't crossed."
"Come over here you big dumb galoot," Gus said, grabbing his hand and pulling JT in close for a hug. He gave JT three large pats on the back. "I'm going to miss you reminding me how old I am. You take damn good care of my little darlin' there."
JT sniffled and nodded as he pulled away. He took a few steps back to the RV and made a terrible act of checking the tires as tears flowed. He stood back up once he was in control.
"Hannah, haven't we had enough tears?" Gus asked, putting his gloved hands over hers. "Let me ask you. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"We're done with groups. If the Doctor is right, we just have to ride this out for a few more years," Hannah looked down at the ground. "I'm going to miss you so much though Gus. Without you, I don't....think I could go...."
"You were my sunshine, in this shitty ass world," Gus said, holding Hannah close to him. "I'm going to have to insist that if you ever drive anywhere near here, six month's time or not, you're goin' stop in."
"Of course we will Gus," Hannah said, pulling back and wiping her red nose with her gloved hand.
"Also, if JT ends up playing hide the salami with you and you have a boy, you gotta name him Gus." Gus then gave JT a lurid wink.
"Gus!" Hannah cried incredulous, giving him a playful slap on the chest.
"Hey! I don't want to burden my child with a loser name like Gus," JT said.
Gus gave him the finger, then dramatically cleared his throat.
"This rarely happens but I'm serious when I say I wish you kids all the best. I love you guys like you're my own, hell maybe I will even see you on the flip side. If Dr. Childs doesn't change his looking down his nose act, I'll be rearranging it. Then we'll get kicked out and I'll have to come looking for you."
Gus took a quick swipe at his reddened eyes. "I better get back or Linda will worry I've fallen off the damn mountainside."
They all hugged goodbye one more time, Hannah and JT teaming up to give Gus a big kiss on each cheek as their best friend wept but Gus being Gus he still mockingly wiped his cheeks off.
JT and Hannah climbed into the RV. JT started it up. Gus drove his truck past the front, honking his horn. JT waved through the huge windshield, honking his two times in response. JT watched as Gus drove out of the parking lot waving out the window until he was out of sight.
Hannah was sitting in the passenger seat, trying hard to dry up her tears. JT reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him, a strained smile on her face.
"Well little lady," JT said in a terrible cowboy accent. "Where are we riding off in the sunset to?"
"How about someplace warm and likely empty, like New Mexico? Out in the desert. Then, after the winter is totallyover, we can drive up to Oregon. I've always wanted to go there."
"Alrighty, sounds good." He dropped the act. "Are you sure you're ready?"
Hannah squeezed his hand and nodded yes. JT put the RV into drive.
This is it, JT thought, as he pulled out of the lot. It will just be me and Hannah now. Avoiding both zombies and people as much as we can. With a whole lot of luck, the zombies will just rot away
and die, like Dr Childs believed. Then, maybe, there will be a chanceof Hannah and I having a regular life.
They rode in silence for the first few miles as thoughts of their fallen friends were heavy on his heart. Hannah still dabbed at an occasional tear with the sleeve of her shirt.
"Hey Hannah," JT broke the silence as he reached out his hand for Hannah to grab. When she did, he slowed the vehicle to a crawl, looking directly at her.
"Hannah, I love you and I am here for you, always."
"I love you too JT." Hannah unbuckled her seatbelt to kiss him before returning to her seat.
"If you keep up that kind of talk we will break in the bed back there sooner than tonight." Hannah slyly winked at JT while she twirled her hair.
JT couldn't wipe the smile off of his face as he watched the mountains in his rear-view mirror and drove south. Leaving behind all that happened, good and bad, for the hope of a better tomorrow.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Thomas Baker lives in a small rural town in Kansas with his wife and new baby son. He probably thinks about how to survive a zombie apocalypse way too much. He's simplya lover of all things fun! He has an at timesover the top fascination with The Undead. All things horror really with a great love for old slasher flicks and comedies. In fact that's what he tries to relay in his writing, keeping things edgy, fun, and moving.
