Situation Z

by Semple, A. M.

  Fred grabbed his door handle. “I’m sure we will be able to find an abandoned car up ahead. Jennifer, don’t lose hope.”

  Chapter 7

  Wilson swerved around an abandoned minivan onto the grassy median, then back onto the road. Getting out of the city was proving a challenge, but he was making progress. He swerved around a group of dead covered in blood. “Yuck.” He took a swig of water, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. More movement up ahead caught his attention. The couple in front of him looked lost and frantic as they made their way between vehicles. Wilson tapped his horn a couple of times as he was about to pass. When the guy saw Wilson, he placed the woman behind him as they waited for him to go. They seemed harmless enough. Wilson slowed to a stop and lowered his window. “Afternoon folks, how’s it going?”

  The guy frowned. “We’re not exactly out for a stroll. This isn’t something you plan for.”

  Wilson chuckled. “Err, well yes and no. But you look like you’re holding up OK.” The guy appeared capable enough but probably out of his depth. He was unshaven and glassy eyed. Wilson resisted the urge to run a hand over his well shaven chin. “So…where you heading?”

  The woman leaned out from behind the guy and responded. “We’re heading away from the city.”

  Wilson’s eyes widened of their own accord when he got a better look at her. “I got room for two more, climb aboard.”

  The guy was hesitant and seemed to be sizing him up. People often underestimated Wilson due to his small stature. The guy seemed to have that very expression as he glanced back at the woman. Her shrug pretty much said “what have we got to lose.” The man climbed in first, followed by the woman.

  Wilson stepped on the gas. “I’ve got spare guns and ammunition. Things could get a bit dodgy.”

  The guy shook his head. “The world’s going to hell in a handcart. I’d call it more than a bit dodgy.”

  Wilson leaned forward and winked at the woman. “He’s a bit gloomy. I’m Wilson.”

  “I’m Jennifer, and this is Fred.”

  “So are you two together?”

  She held a smile. This was the first bit of normalcy in days. It was an apocalypse, and Wilson was looking for a date. “We just met yesterday, but we’ve grown close.” She squeezed Fred’s hand.

  Fred was staring at Wilson in disbelief but managed a small hand squeeze in return.

  Wilson winked at her again, then slammed on his brakes, avoiding another group of human scavengers surrounding a turned over SUV. “Best fasten your seatbelts. This ride could get bumpy.”

  Jennifer and Fred felt around for their seatbelts and got them fastened just in time.

  Wilson was off road and on the road again. “Well, one day together is hardly close, is it?”

  Fred’s nerves were shot. “Could you just focus on the road?”

  “Sure thing, Fred.” Wilson shrugged and smiled at Jennifer. “Been through it, has he?”

  “You could say that.”

  “Where’s all your gear?” He glanced at the bat and golf club. “You two are traveling kinda light.”

  Fred rubbed his neck. “There was no time.”

  Wilson elbowed him. “Don’t worry, Freddy, I’ve got plenty of everything.”

  Fred hesitated and finally nodded. “We appreciate it.”

  “No problem. I’m heading up to Prescott. My friend, Russell, lives there. I’m going to have to avoid the 17. I imagine it’s a deathtrap by now. I’m going to take 60 up to the 89.”

  “Does your friend have a good place to hole up? Will he mind…?” Fred stopped midsentence as Wilson swerved around a bus. The windows were bloody, though it looked abandoned.

  Jennifer looked away and held her stomach.

  “You OK, Jennifer?” Fred felt her forehead.

  “I think I’m going to be sick.”

  Wilson stepped on the breaks and reached behind the seat and grabbed a couple bottles of water. “Haven’t developed a stomach for the grotesque. Can’t say as I blame you.” They attracted the attention of numerous stragglers.

  Jennifer took one of the bottles. “If you could drive a little slower.”

  “Sure thing, babe.”

  Fred took the other bottle. “Her name is Jennifer.”

  Wilson shrugged and grimaced. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to step on any toes.”

  A man ran up and started pounding on Wilson’s window, startling everybody. “Let me in.”

  Wilson lowered the window several inches. “Sorry we haven’t any room.” He grabbed another bottle of water, pushed it out the window and then gingerly stepped on the gas. “Did you see that guy? Wouldn’t be surprised if he was attacking people before the disaster. He’ll make a fine zombie.”

  The guy threw the bottle at Wilson’s truck where it landed squarely in the truck bed. Wilson saw the whole thing in his rearview mirror and was pleased to have his water back. “Freddy, you were asking about Russell. The way I see it, he’ll be madder than hell that I brought you. The man’s a total recluse.” Wilson laughed. “I’ve pressed my luck before, but this could send him over the edge.”

  Jennifer and Fred both began to protest at once. “Well, we’ll figure something else out.”

  “Don’t worry about it, you two. Russell will take one look at Jennifer and start bending all his own rules. He’s got a heart of gold once you find it. He will grill you to death. Whatever you do, don’t act cagey. Just give him simple answers.”

  “Simple answers about what?” Fred looked concerned.

  “Everything. Just remember when you get frustrated that Russell lives in a well-stocked, secure home, and this is an apocalypse. You’ll be fine. He may have you hooked up to a lie detector…” Wilson continued at length.

  ****

  As the day wore on, they got beyond the suburbs of Phoenix and onto the smaller highways and back roads. Wilson’s driving got more erratic as the roads got worse. At one point, they had veered off on a wooded trail, but Wilson kept up a steady pace sure of his route. Fred had a wicked headache, a bellyful of beef jerky that Wilson seemed to have an endless supply of and an earful of apocalyptic advice. Jennifer hadn’t fared much better. But they were safe, and that was something to be thankful for.

  It was midafternoon when Fred finally had to say something. “I hope you don’t mind my asking this…Wilson…but how do you know where you’re going?”

  “I’ve been practicing. Russell and I have been charting escape routes out of Phoenix for years. We figured it was just a matter of time before something happened. Wouldn’t have needed any of um, if I’d gotten out yesterday.”

  “You knew yesterday and didn’t leave.”

  Wilson looked like he’d said more than he’d meant to. “Um…yeah. I had a problem with my neighbor. Anyways, like I was saying, we charted routes. On numerous weekends I would take a small section of the route and go over it either by car, bike or on foot. Winter proved troubling with the snow in the mountains. I got a sweet set of snowshoes last year. Anyway, I pretty much know every inch of what we’ve driven. I always time myself. We’re making pretty good time today. I hadn’t accounted for all the swerving. And just remember you two.” Wilson pinned them both with a militant stare. “It’s always important to have an escape route when you live in a city as big as Phoenix.”

  “Apparently so.” Fred was both concerned and relieved to hear Wilson’s explanation. At least he knew where he was going, but the fact that he was constantly preparing for an apocalypse was troubling.

  Jennifer appeared impressed. “My god, that’s incredible, Wilson.”

  Fred’s jaw dropped. Maybe Wilson was a lot smarter than he’d given him credit for.

  Wilson’s face grew flush under the praise. “It’s just common sense if you think about it.” He gave her a cheeky grin, then braked hard as he rounded the bend. Up ahead an overturned fuel truck was burning out of control. Numerous surrounding vehicles were on fire as well. Black plumes of smoke filled the air, and flames raced ac
ross everything they touched.

  “These fires seem endless.” Jennifer’s voice drifted to a whisper as she averted her eyes.

  Fred put a comforting arm around her. “Do you know a way around, Wilson?”

  “Of course.” But his attention was caught by the growing number of dead surrounding the fire. Many of them had a skeletal appearance, having been partially burned. Not taking his eyes off the flames, Wilson reached behind his seat and grabbed a rather sophisticated looking camera with a large lens and began snapping pictures. “Russell’s gonna want to see this.”

  Fred elbowed him. “Uh, I hate to interrupt, but shouldn’t we stay focused?”

  “Look at this guy.” Wilson pointed to one of the skeletal guys rapidly approaching their truck. His hair was on fire and bones protruded from his side. He moaned and threw himself against the hood. Fred and Jennifer watched in disbelief as Wilson got out and began digging around the back of his truck. He knocked on the back window, giving them the OK sign, then jumped down with a fire extinguisher. He soaked the guy down till he was covered with white foam. Wilson gave him a friendly shove so that he could jump back into the cab.

  Fred vented his frustration. “What’s wrong with you? The guy’s dead!”

  Wilson didn’t know why he did it and merely shrugged as he threw the truck in reverse and began off-roading again.

  Jennifer and Fred shared a look of genuine concern.

  Wilson’s bite was getting itchy. He glanced at Jennifer and Fred, then gingerly scratched his leg. He needed to change his dressing. His passengers had been overly quiet since the extinguisher incident. He definitely wasn’t going to chance them seeing his bite. “Anyone for more jerky?”

  When both immediately responded in the negative, he realized they had given him the perfect excuse to make a stop. “We need to get some better snacks. Russell will appreciate any extra food we get.”

  Jennifer and Fred agreed, but with little enthusiasm.

  They drove on for a couple more miles before the road widened, revealing several buildings. Wilson slowed in front of the one at the far end of the group. What normally would’ve seemed to be a rundown grocery store, now appeared to be an oasis. Numerous cars were parked in front, giving it an almost normal appearance. Wilson slowed but didn’t turn into the parking lot. He nudged Fred. “Isn’t this a site for sore eyes?”

  Fred looked around. “Think it’s safe?”

  “Can’t tell from this angle.” Wilson pulled forward so they were even with the front entrance. Any hopes for a normal situation were quickly dashed. A half-eaten body was leaning between two cars. Another car had blood on the windows. Wilson stepped on the gas, giving the parking lot a wide berth as he drove around to the back of the building. It was eerily quiet. No one spoke as they looked around in all directions. Wilson shrugged. “Seems all right.”

  Jennifer rubbed her arms. “I don’t like this.”

  Fred agreed. “Yeah, maybe we should just move on. I’m sure Russell would understand if you didn’t stop for food.”

  Wilson shook his head while making friendly eye contact with both of them. “Let me just scope things out. I’ll grab my crowbar to pry open the door. Just give the horn a toot if you see anything.”

  Fred grimaced. “Don’t you think that will attract attention?”

  Wilson pursed his lips. “I’m armed. It will only take a second to get back to the truck.”

  Before anyone could respond, Wilson was out the door, rummaging through the back of his truck. He gave them a triumphant wave, pointing to a crowbar as he sprinted toward the store’s back door.

  When he got to the door, he turned back and gave the couple the thumbs up. They stared back blankly. Not a good sign. Both had become quiet and more distant with every mile. He gave himself a mental shrug and wedged the crowbar into the door frame. Leaning in, he needed almost no pressure before the door came away from the frame. It made little more than a creaking sound as the dry-rotted frame splintered into soft wood pieces where the crowbar had been.

  He edged the door open and unstrapped his Desert Eagle before slipping inside. It was dark except for a small window of light filtering through the swinging doors leading to the front. He waited a moment, listening for sounds. The air was ripe with old food smells and worse, but it was quiet. As his eyes started to adjust to the darkness, he studied the shadowy forms that were pallets of food. He loosened a can from the closest one and threw it. It bounced off a wall and clattered along the floor. It was greeted by total silence. Satisfied, he went back outside and headed for his truck.

  Fred met him half way. “How bad is it?”

  “The place smells, but we’re probably OK. It was too dark to be sure. I’ll just grab a flashlight.”

  Jennifer joined them. “You sure this is a good idea?”

  Wilson smiled cheekily. “It’s the best we’ve got. Besides, you two could just wait for me.”

  Jennifer and Fred stared at each other, then back at Wilson. “We want to help.”

  They turned in unison and approached the back door. Wilson went in first and stuck a hand out, motioning for Jennifer and Fred to follow. Fred stepped cautiously into the inky blackness and had only gone a couple feet when he bumped into Wilson. He backed up to get his balance and inadvertently stepped on Jennifer’s foot. Her reaction was a muffled yelp. She vigorously rubbed her foot as Fred apologized. “Sorry about that. You OK?”

  “Yes, but I still don’t think this is a good idea. It smells really bad.”

  “I think you’re right. Wilson, maybe we should just keep going.”

  Wilson turned on his flashlight, and a thin beam of light pierced the air. “It seems all right. Grocery stores tend to stink anyway. You ever get a whiff of the back of the dairy section when you’re digging for a carton with a good date?”

  “It’s more than bad dairy.”

  “Guys, we’re wasting time. Let’s just go.” Jennifer’s voice had taken on a pleading edge.

  Wilson shined the flashlight up ahead of him. “You two stay here. I’ll just have a quick look around.”

  “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.” But Fred was speaking to air. He watched helplessly as the beam of light from Wilson’s flashlight zigzagged around the pallets. He turned back to Jennifer. “I can’t believe he had us come in here. There’s a lot more than dairy in this back room. Maybe we should…”

  A vigorous tapping shattered the silence, startling both he and Jennifer. Across the room, Wilson was tapping his flashlight against what looked to be an office window.

  Jennifer grabbed Fred’s arm. “Christ, what’s he doing?”

  Fred pulled her protectively behind his back as they listened to Wilson call out to someone.

  ****

  A sharp, tapping sound tore Marjorie out of a dreamless sleep. Reality came flooding back. She was in the grocery store’s back office. After all hell broke loose in the front of the store, Riley advised her to stay back there. Returning home was no longer an option. He gave her some quick instructions and hesitantly added that he would return if he could. But both she and Riley knew without saying that their odds of survival were dwindling. In a mental fog, she grabbed some food and canned soda, then holed up in the small room. The door had a flimsy lock, but it was better than nothing. She hid under the desk where she could still see out the office window but not be too obvious. She’d been there long enough that she was unsure if it was night or day. Her only weapon was a pair of heavy metal scissors she’d found in one of the desk drawers. She reached in her smock pocket and grasped them tightly, too scared to imagine who or what was on the other side of the door. The tapping began again, shattering the silence like gunfire. Her heart was pounding as the tapper spoke his next words.

  “You all alone in there, miss?”

  She peered cautiously around the desk and was instantly blinded as a flashlight caught her between the eyes. Belatedly, she pulled her head back, too scared to speak.

  “T
he cavalry has arrived, miss.”

  Though she wanted to stay under the desk, common sense kicked in. She realized there was no use hiding. She straightened her glasses and cautiously glanced around the desk again. The flashlight was now turned to reveal its owner. The cavalry, it turned out, was a small man fogging up the glass. He sounded and looked harmless, but there was no way to be certain. She finally found her voice. “What do you want?”

  “Ah…that’s too long a list, but I would start with some food and…” He looked around. “…and if you could point out the restroom.”

  She stood with some effort. Her legs were half asleep. The man stepped back from the window and waited. She cautiously opened the door with her left hand and maintained a defensive posture with the scissors in her right.

  He shined the flashlight light up and down, this time avoiding her eyes. “You look all right. Have you been bit?”

  She shook her head. “No I haven’t.”

  “Well then, my name’s Wilson.” He winked at her. “I thought you looked alive.” He turned the flashlight behind him toward the back door. She was startled to see a couple that looked almost as uncomfortable as she felt. “These are my new friends, Jennifer and Fred.” She received a weak wave from Fred.

  She nodded and lowered the scissors. “I’m Marjorie.”

  Wilson glanced at her name tag. Yup, Marjorie. He gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Let me introduce you to those two.” He walked her back to Fred and Jennifer. “Guys, we’re in luck. I found a live one. This is Marjie.” His next words surprised her. “Always been fond of the name, Marjorie. Shortens real nice, too.” She had never been complimented on her name before.

  Fred and Jennifer introduced themselves with considerably less enthusiasm. Both seemed to be giving Wilson odd looks. Wilson clipped the flashlight to his belt and rubbed his hands together. “Maybe you can point me in the direction of the can.”

  Marjorie felt like she was in a very strange dream. Nothing seemed real. What an odd group. She pointed to the restroom next to the office. “It’s right over there. Let me know if you need anything.”