“The women and children are clean, I swear it,” Elise said. “I checked them all, and I did a proper job.”
He sighed with relief. “So are the men. That’s one less thing to worry about, at least.”
“We’ve lost quite a few loved ones,” Breytenbach said, his craggy face filled with the sorrow they were all feeling.
“I know. It’s…it’s a tragedy. Caleb and Donya. They were mine. My people, and I failed them,” Martin said.
“You didn’t fail them. If anything, this is my fault. We should’ve left Hiran alone and taken a detour,” Breytenbach said.
“Nobody failed anyone. It’s a fact of life, the way things go sometimes,” Julianne said. “We all knew the risks, and who says a detour would’ve been any safer?”
“Yeah, come on, guys. Let’s not play the blame game again. We’ve all made mistakes, choices that have lead to loss, and it never takes us anywhere good. Look at me and Kabelo, Ben and Angie…” Elise said. “What’s done is done. Let’s move on.”
“She’s right, Breytenbach,” Martin said. “No matter how clever you are, none of us could have foreseen this. We still don’t know where the dead came from, who let them loose, and I guess we never will.”
Julianne nodded. “At least, the children and babies are safe. The dead didn’t get into the bus, despite Ruby’s best efforts.”
“I still can’t believe it,” Elise muttered. “Ruby!”
“It’s thanks to Nadia that she didn’t get to finish what she started,” Julianne continued. “We owe her our children’s lives.”
“What about Lonny?” Martin asked.
“He seems heartbroken. He acts like he didn’t know, but we’ll have to keep an eye on him, though. Just in case.”
Elise nodded, her lips pressed together. “I’ll make sure of that.”
“We lost Nikki too. One of the new teens. Liz is pretty shaken up over it, and so are the rest,” Julianne said.
“I can imagine,” Martin replied. A brief image of the girl’s last moments flashed before his eyes, and it was not pretty. “Don’t forget Abe.”
“But, if it weren’t for Logan and Michael’s sacrifice, we would all be dead,” Breytenbach said, voicing the one thing they’d all been reluctant to face so far.
“We owe them a debt of gratitude,” Martin acknowledged.
“Yes, we’ll miss them,” Julianne said.
“How’s Nadia holding up?” Martin asked. “Of us all, she’s lost the most people today.”
“She’s in terrible shock. I had Jonathan give her a sedative,” Julianne said. “To be honest, I don’t know how she’ll cope with this, but I’ll do my best to see her through. I owe her that much.”
“So will I,” Elise affirmed.
“I think we all will,” Martin said. “She’s a strong girl.”
“We don’t have many injuries, at least,” Breytenbach said. “A few cuts and bruises. Max got it the worst, I think, but he’ll be all right.”
“That’s a relief,” Martin said, thinking their position over. He blew out a breath. “All right, I see no point in hanging around. I say we do one straight push to reach St. Francis with only brief stops out in the open to refuel and take bathroom breaks. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” the rest chorused.
“I think we’re all eager to get somewhere safe,” Julianne said.
“Then let’s go. The sooner, the better,” Martin said, breaking up the meeting.
Within minutes, the convoy was back on the road. They drove throughout the day, stopping only when absolutely necessary, and by late afternoon, they were close to their destination.
The nearer they got, the lighter Martin’s spirits grew, and he prayed that nothing would go wrong before they hit the gates of St. Francis. But their luck held, and within the hour, they were parked in front of the solid walls of their new home.
Martin got out and waved at the guards at their posts. “Hello, it’s me. Martin.”
A short figure detached itself from the rest, and an incredulous Thys called, “Martin? Is that really you?”
“In the flesh, my friend.”
“We’ve about given you up for dead, you know?”
“Well, sorry to disappoint. Now could you let us in? We’ve had bad luck on the road, and these people need attention.”
“No infection?” Thys asked.
“No, we checked,” Martin said.
“I’ll let you in, but Ada might want Dr. Barnard to examine them again,” Thys replied. “You know how she is.”
“That’s fine. Just let us in before something else happens, please,” Martin said, holding thumbs as he did so.
After a moment, the vast gates swung open with a ponderous creak and the convoy was allowed inside the town. As the gates clanked shut again, Martin let go of the tension he’d held onto the entire trip. Finally. They were safe.
Thys greeted him in person, slightly more corpulent than Martin remembered. He was followed by a succession of familiar faces, and it wasn’t long before exhaustion set in.
Luckily, Ada took over at that point, recognizing how close to collapse he was. She organized for Dr. Barnard to clear the convoy of infection and escort all injured to the clinic. The rest were shown to clean, comfortable quarters and fed with promises to do more in the morning.
At last, Martin was released and allowed to go home where his daughter Kim waited, ecstatic to see him once more. She threw herself into his arms and clung to him, sobbing the entire time. “Daddy, don’t ever leave me again.”
As he held her close, he made a promise he intended to keep. “I won’t, sweetheart. Never again. I promise.”
In the days following their arrival, Martin eased back into his former role as leader of the community. Thys was only too happy to relinquish the reins while Ada resumed her former position as head of security.
After Dr. Lange reported his findings regarding the infected to the council, an extended plan was drawn up to improve their defenses. The walls would be improved, more watchtowers and gun turrets built, and banks of medieval type weapons would serve as backup should their ammo run out. The minefields would be decommissioned and replaced with a series of barricades instead. Anything to slow a horde.
“Everyone who is old enough should be trained in combat as well. This training will be mandatory, and citizens will go about armed at all times,” Martin decreed. “Our houses must be fortified too, and raiding parties beefed up. It’s not safe to go out in twos and threes anymore.”
Ada nodded. “Excellent. I will see to it.”
“How are the newcomers settling in?” Thys asked.
“They are well enough. Some still need to be housed, and they’re suffering from their losses. As are we,” Martin replied, thinking once more of Caleb and Donya.
“Could we do something nice for them? Something to take their minds of their grief?” Ada asked.
Martin thought it over. “That might be a good idea to boost morale, and I can think of a certain couple dying to tie the knot. Two couples, actually.”
“A wedding. That’d be perfect,” Thys said. “It will help the newcomers bond with the rest of the community as well.”
Ada nodded. “There’s nothing like a wedding to pull people together.”
“And we’ll need that in the days to come,”Max said, thinking of all the challenges that lay ahead of him.
“I’ll pass the wedding arrangements over to someone suitable,” Ada said. “Just send along the lucky couple when you get a chance, Martin.”
“Or couples,” Thys added with a grin.
“Will do. Thank you for doing this,” Martin said.
“We should be thanking you,” Ada said. “For bringing in fresh blood. We need the hands, the skills, the knowledge these people can provide.”
Martin nodded. “I’m glad you see it that way. Speaking of knowledge, though, how is Dr. Lange doing under Dr. Barnard’s wing?”
“He’s settling in by all re
ports, and his research is doing well with the help of the boy, Aiden. It seems Dr. Lange might even train the boy to become a scientist,” Thys said. “Plus, Barnard’s ecstatic, of course. How can she not be with the sudden influx of a doctor, scientist, nurse, and a pharmacist? No more double shifts for her.”
“Good. As long as they have all they need, though I doubt Dave will work much as a pharmacist. His newfound passion is gardening,” Martin said with a laugh.
“Gardening?” Thys said. “Who’d have thought?”
“Who’d have thought any of this would happen?” Ada said with a shrug. “Maybe it took an apocalypse to open our eyes to what’s really important in life.”
“Deep. Real deep,” Thys replied with a crooked smile.
“Fuck off,” she mumbled, but in a good-natured tone of voice.
As his two second-in-commands duked it out, Martin reflected on something he’d almost forgotten. It’s good to be home.
Epilogue I - Julianne
Julianne sucked in a deep breath as Elise buttoned up the back of her dress, the bodice tightening over her breasts and shoulders. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she smoothed her hands over the material, and she opened her eyes to look at herself for the first time.
“Oh, my! Is that really me?”
Elise smiled at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes sparkling in the early morning sunlight. “Yes, it’s really you, and you look so beautiful, Julianne. Breytenbach is one lucky man.”
Julianne smiled, turning in a circle to admire the wedding dress she’d chosen for her big day. It was simple. A long sheath that covered her from neck to toe in pale mint-green silk. Pearl buttons adorned the sleeves and back, but that was the only decorative details it possessed.
Sparkly heels showed off her dainty feet while her hair and makeup was courtesy of the local beautician, a kind woman named Alice. She’d done a stellar job, and Julianne’s skin glowing skin was accentuated by her blue eyes and polished blonde chignon. Pearl earrings finished off the look, one of timeless elegance.
“I can’t believe I’m getting married…again,” she said, sucking in a nervous breath.
“Me neither,” Elise admitted. “Who’d have thought fate could treat us so kindly after everything?”
“Yes. We’ve lost much. Too much.”
For a moment, both women were silent, reminiscing over loved ones who’d passed, and times they would never have again. A tear shimmered in the corner of Julianne’s eye, and she brushed it away. “I’ll never forget them.”
“No, we’ll honor their memories today, and we’ll always keep them in our hearts,” Elise said. “Now, are you ready? The ceremony is about to begin.”
She moved toward the door where an anxious Martin waited to escort Julianne down the aisle. While it should’ve been Max, he couldn’t do the honors that day. Not when he was also getting married in a double ceremony alongside her and Breytenbach.
Julianne squared her shoulders and tightened her hold on the small bouquet of wildflowers she carried. “Yes, I’m ready.”
Elise opened the door, and Martin straightened up from his slouch with an apologetic smile. He held out his arm to her, and she placed her fingertips on the crook of his elbow.
“You look lovely, Julianne.”
“Thank you, Martin,” she replied with a graceful incline of her head.
He led her into a carpeted hallway where they found Kirstin already waiting on the arm of Ronnie. Julianne sucked in a shocked breath at the vision her new daughter-in-law to be presented.
And indeed, Kirstin did look lovely, but more than that, she looked like a Nordic warrior, a woman of both strength and beauty. Her hair was braided on either side with the crown left high and voluminous to fall to her waist in a platinum waterfall. Smokey shadow gave her eyes an exotic slant while her torso was encased in a tight bodice, accentuating her slender middle. Long sleeves and a train trailed behind her when she walked.
“You look stunning,” Julianne exclaimed, reaching out to clasp hands with Kirstin.
“As do you,” Kirstin replied, her smile warm and brilliant.
“Are you prepared for this?” Julianne asked.
“I confess, I am nervous.”
“So am I,” Julianne said with a chuckle. “But how hard can it be after facing a horde of zombies?”
“I think, I would rather face the zombies.”
Julianne laughed out loud this time. “Come. Let’s not leave our guests waiting.”
Kirstin nodded, and side by side the two pairs approached the double doors leading both to the chapel and to their futures. With a final look exchanged between the brides, they lifted their chins in preparation.
The doors swung open, and music piped through an organ announced their arrival. On either side of the aisle, the guests rose to their feet, and all eyes turned to the brides.
Kirstin went first, her tall body swaying gracefully next to the stocky Ronnie. Max stared in rapt adoration at the woman that was to be his bride, his love stamped on his features for the world to see.
Julianne felt her heart swell with pride. This was a beautiful moment for her, and she was happy to overflowing for her son and new daughter. Then her gaze fell on Christo, and everything else fell away.
Nothing mattered but the look on his face; a look that told her she was the most beautiful woman in the world to him; a look that promised love and fidelity for all eternity.
Sam sat in his arms, her chubby arms waving to and fro in her excitement, while Meghan stood next to him, a pretty picture in her flower girl outfit. The only people missing were Morgan and Lilian, but as tears filled her eyes, she could almost swear she saw their spirits smiling at her over Breytenbach’s shoulder. They’ll always be in my heart.
When it was her turn, Julianne swayed down the aisle as if floating on air. Elise took Sam and Meghan away, and Martin handed her over to Christo. She felt his rough hands enclose hers, and a knot formed in her throat. Don’t cry, don’t cry!
From that moment, the ceremony took on an ethereal quality for her. None of it felt quite real. She couldn’t believe when it was over, and they kissed to the announcement that they were now man and wife.
Julianne clung to Breytenbach as they left the chapel, guests tossing handfuls of confetti over them. They walked the short distance to the reception, followed by Max and Kirstin.
It was a beautiful day. Streamers of white clouds were strung across the clear blue sky. Seagulls dipped through the air, their familiar cries echoing in the background. In the distance, the ocean sparkled with azure lights while chokka boats fished its length.
“I can’t believe we stay here now. It’s so different from what I’m used to,” Julianne enthused, her face wreathed with smiles.
“I don’t care where I stay as long as it’s with you,” Breytenbach replied gallantly.
“I didn’t know you could be charming!”
“Even an old dog can learn new tricks.”
The reception hall took Julianne by surprise. Bedecked in ivy and white streamers, it looked beautiful and rustic. The decor inside was simple, the food plain but well prepared. During the opening dance, she looked up into his face. “Is this real? Or am I dreaming?”
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “It’s real.”
She looked at all the smiling faces around them, some familiar, some not. “I can’t believe it.”
“Neither can I.”
“Not just the wedding,” she said. “All of it. I can’t believe we made it to this wonderful place, and that we’re safe. Well and truly safe.”
“Yes, and the people. The way they welcomed us, made us feel like we belong. It’s amazing,” Breytenbach agreed.
With the dance floor opened, bodies flooded forward, and the real party began. Max’s people mixed with Martin’s people, and they all got to know each other better throughout the night that followed.
As with all weddings, the cake was cut, the garters removed and
thrown, and the bouquets tossed to hopefuls. The adults drank wine and danced while the kids ran around laughing and screaming like little monkeys.
Julianne enjoyed every second of it. When would such an occasion arise again? Happiness was scarce in the zombie apocalypse, and she was profoundly grateful to the people who had made it possible. Those who had given them this day without complaining at the cost.
Martin danced with his daughter, Mike chased after a red-headed girl, Ronnie taught some boys how to sword fight, and Kirstin fended off a succession of admirers.
Julianne was introduced to a group of people until it all became a blur. A man called Thys brought her a glass of wine and introduced himself as Martin’s right-hand man.
“You know, we could always use fresh blood in the council. You and your husband look like capable people,” he said.
A stern-looking woman named Ada nodded. “We’ve been meaning to talk to you about the possibility of joining.”
Julianne nodded. “Of course. If there’s anything I can help with, I’d be glad to.”
“Count me in,” Breytenbach said, “though I can’t imagine what I could add to this lovely place.”
Ada snorted. “This town requires a great deal of maintenance to keep it so.”
“Yes, and materials are becoming scarcer by the day,” Thys said.
“The solution lies not in trying to maintain what’s there, I think,” Breytenbach said, “But in finding a new road forward. The old way of life was based on stripping the earth of its resources. We now have the opportunity to do things differently.”
“Yes, I believe you are right. We no longer have the luxury of factories, shipyards, and mines,” Thys agreed.
“Perhaps, our futures will be more closely aligned to Mother Nature and what she provides,” Ada said. “But we’ve taken up enough of your time. Come, Thys. Let’s leave these fine people to enjoy the rest of their party.”
With that said, Ada hustled Thys away despite his protests, and Breytenbach swept her onto the dance floor once more. The hours passed swiftly, and before she knew it, it was time to retire.
Children of the Apocalypse: Mega Boxed Set Page 90
