by Gary Chesla
“My God, what kind of people would eat a little puppy,” Batman gasped.
“I think those two would have eaten me,” Fran replied. “So when I went to hide in the woods, I grabbed the puppy and took him with me.”
“That was nice of you to save the little guy,” Batman said.
“If I wouldn’t have taken him, he would have probably barked his head off and gave me away,” Fran laughed. “It’s nice to have someone here with me, even if he is just a dog, but now I have another mouth to feed.”
Batman laughed.
“Speaking of eating, are you feeding him Slim Jim’s?”
“No, I don’t have any more Slim Jim’s,” Fran replied. “I bet you will never guess what Snoop and I had for dinner tonight?”
“I bet you had a rabbit,” Batman replied. “So you finally worked up the nerve to catch a rabbit. Did you catch it in a box then jump on the box like I told you?”
“You’re not even close,” Fran laughed. “I’ll give you a hint. Before it was cooked, it was the grossest and most horrifying thing I had ever seen.”
“My God, Fran,” Batman said. “You didn’t eat a zombie did you?”
“No, not that,” Fran replied. “I would feel like a cannibal. Zombies used to be people at one time. Besides, eating a zombie would make me sick.”
“OK, I give up,” Batman said.
“I, well Snoop and I ate a rattlesnake,” Fran replied.
There was a long pause.
“Well, I heard snake meat tastes like chicken,” Batman finally said.
“It tasted more like fish,” Fran replied.
“How did you decide that you were going to eat a rattlesnake?” Batman asked. “Not that there is anything wrong with eating a snake, but those things are nasty.”
“It was Snoop’s idea,” Fran replied. “I had to kill two rattlesnakes to get the battery out of the truck at the sawmill. After I got the battery out of the truck I caught Snoop chewing on the dead snakes. I felt sorry for him, he was so hungry. So I decided if he was going to eat a snake, I would cook it over a fire so it wouldn’t be so gross. You wouldn’t believe how good they smelled as they roasted over the fire. I couldn’t help myself and finally took a taste too. It tasted great.”
“OK,” Batman laughed, “so you’re going to eat rattlesnake from now on?”
“No way in hell,” Fran laughed. “Those things are dangerous. One of them was bigger around than my arm. Oh, and by the way, I killed three zombies today too.”
“Two thugs, two rattlesnakes and three zombies,” Batman laughed, “Remind me not to mess with you.”
“That’s OK,” Fran replied. “You can mess with me if you want. I promise not to hurt you.”
“Why don’t you two get a room,” a new voice sounded over the CB. “This is a public channel you know, there could be kids listening.”
“Flash, is that you?” Fran asked sounding astonished.
“It’s me,” Flash replied.
“Flash and I were talking when you came on,” Batman said.
“I was just listening, trying to give you and Batman some time to talk,” Flash replied. “But I had to reply to your last comment. I knew she was sweet on you Batman, but maybe next time you two should arrange to talk over a private channel. God, I thought I was listening to an episode of Days of our Lives!”
“You’re crazy, Flash,” Fran joked. “Where have you been for the last week? Have you talked with Wolfman?”
“I haven’t talked with anyone for the last week or so,” Flash replied. “I’ve been on the run.”
“Are the zombies that bad where you are?” Fran asked. “The ones I killed today were practically falling apart. Batman said the zombies seem to be dying off where he is.”
“No, the zombies aren’t too bad where I am,” Flash replied. “But I was out looking for food about a week and a half ago when I spotted something moving in the shadows. At first I thought it was a zombie, so I tried to stay out of sight. Then I saw him run between buildings. Zombies can’t run like that, so I started to work my way closer to get a better look. When I finally saw that it was a guy, I decided to talk with him. It had been so long since I had seen another living person, I guess I couldn’t help myself.”
“What did he say?” Fran asked. “Where was he from?”
“I don’t know,” Flash replied. “When he saw me, I could tell talking wasn’t what he had on his mind. You know Newbie, I have a feeling that being a girl in this new world isn’t going to be easy.”
“What happened?” Fran asked.
“He stalked me for three days before I slipped up,” Flash replied. “He found where I was staying and broke in. When he didn’t find me, he smashed my radio. So I decided I had better leave and get away from him while I could.”
“Where did you go?” Fran asked.
“I left town in the middle of the night,” Flash replied. “Normally I would have never tried to travel at night, but since the zombies are dying off, I took a chance so that bastard wouldn't spot me. I ended up in a place called Stone. I found a CB in an old farmhouse and was able to get back on the air for the first time tonight.”
“Newb, wait until you hear what Flash found in Stone,” Batman said.
“What’s in Stone?” Fran asked.
“I’ll know for sure later tonight,” Flash replied, “but what I do know is that we aren’t alone.”
“I found that out yesterday,” Fran replied.
“Not that kind of people, at least I hope not,” Flash said. “Today a Navy helicopter flew over and announced that they dropped food down near Stone Road and Route 84 to help the survivors. They even dropped a list of things that is at the drop point. They also said that they will come back soon and try to meet with the survivors.”
“Did you try to run out and try to get their attention?” Fran asked.
“No way,” Flash replied. “The last time I tried to get someone’s attention, well, you know. I decided to play it safe. It could have been a trap. It could have been some creep that found a helicopter and is out to see who he can find. Tonight, after it gets dark, I’m going to go check out where the food was supposed to have been dropped. That way if it is a trap, they will never know I was there.”
“You be careful,” Batman said. “Even though there aren’t many zombies left, it is still dangerous as hell to travel in the dark. I’ve seen zombies lying on the ground that I thought were dead, but then I saw their damn teeth were still snapping. Those things can still infect you if you’re not careful.”
“I’ve seen that too,” Flash replied. “I found myself a pair of hip boots at a sporting goods store. The kind of boots fishermen use to wade into the river. I don’t think zombies can bite through them, they weigh a ton, so when I travel at night I wear my heavy hip boots.”
“Smart thinking,” Batman said.
“A girl needs to be careful,” Flash laughed.
“That would really be great if what the helicopter announced was true,” Fran said. “Except for you and John, I thought we were the only people left alive. Well, that was until yesterday when those two creeps showed up.”
“If I find out tonight that this isn’t a trap,” Flash said, “I was thinking that it might be time that the three of us get together. There is safety in numbers, since we know there are a few creeps running around out there, and we could start working together.”
“But we are so far away from each other,” Fran replied. “How could we travel that far on foot?”
“Hey, I made it to Stone, I didn’t have much choice, but it can be done,” Flash replied. “If we were to pick a place to meet, in a few days we could manage it.”
“With the zombies the way they are, it could be done,” Batman added. “Especially if there is going to be food when we get there. Pickings are getting pretty slim around where I am.”
“It would be nice to see some normal living people again,” Fran sighed.
“Well, don’t start m
aking travel plans yet until you hear from me,” Flash said. “But, regardless of what I find there, we should give this idea some thought. I don’t think any of us wants to live out our last days alone.”
“If it is the Navy,” Fran asked, “do you think they will come to Twin Falls and get me with the helicopter?”
“Dream on girl,” Flash laughed.
“You never know, Newb,” Batman said. “But I think Flash has a good idea. Newb, you could meet me and we could travel together to where Flash is.”
“That sounds scary,” Fran replied.
“Well, it’s dark out now,” Flash said. “I am going to get moving. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck, Flash,” Fran said.
“Good night guys,” Flash replied.
“Stay away from snakes, Newb,” Batman said.
“I’ll try,” Fran replied.
“And Newb,” Batman said. “I’m glad you are OK. I missed you last night.”
“I missed talking to you too,” Fran replied.
“Oh God, this sappy talk makes me want to jump off a cliff,” Flash laughed.
“I thought you left,” Fran said then laughed.
“Good night everyone,” Batman out.
Flash laughed, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow night. Stay safe.”
Chapter 12
June 31st, The summit above Johnstown
Tony was up early drinking his morning coffee when Mike cane down the stairs.
“Hey Mike,” Tony said.
Mike looked at Tony who was dressed in the black, green and brown camouflage pattern coveralls he had found at Outdoor World the other day.
“What are you dressed for?” Mike asked as he walked over and poured himself some coffee.
“I was thinking about going back down to the road this morning,” Tony replied.
“Just to make sure there isn’t any traffic or is there another reason you’re not telling me?” Mike asked.
“I didn’t want to say anything,” Tony replied, “but I thought I heard a car this morning when I came down to make my coffee.”
“What did you hear?” Mike asked.
“It sounded like tires screeching on the road, the sound of a thud then an engine reeving,” Tony replied. “I wasn’t sure. I was still half asleep and I could have just imagined it, but I want to go down and check it out.”
“And?” Mike asked, staring at Tony.
Tony laughed, “I guess we’ve been friends long enough that you can read my mind.”
“Almost but not quite, but I can tell by the expression on your face that you are concerned about something,” Mike replied. “It’s more than a sound that has you worried.”
“When I was sitting down at the road when we came home yesterday, there was a smell,” Tony said.
“We live in the woods,” Mike grinned, “there are all kind of smells around here. Most of them are I would guess natural mountain type smells, flowers, pine trees, deer crap.”
Tony’s expression turned serious, “This smell was familiar, it was like the odor we smelled in Westmont. It smelled like death.”
“Could it have been a dead animal in the woods?” Mike asked.
“I guess it could have been, but it just felt different,” Tony replied. “It was faint, but it was as if it was everywhere, just hanging in the air.”
“You’re saying it smelled like there was a horde of zombies in the area?” Mike asked.
“I’m trying not to say that,” Tony replied. “But yes, sort of like that.”
“We’ve been living with that smell ever since we were at the cabin,” Mike said. “I guess I just ignore it anymore. But up here in the mountains, we haven’t had to worry about large mobs of zombies. Do you think that something has changed? Do you think something is attracting them to come up here?”
“Even if that was the case, with how the walkers we’ve seen are rotting apart, I wouldn’t think it would pose a major problem for us. However, we can’t rule out anything,” Tony replied. “But whatever the reason for the smell, I think we need to know what it is and determine what it could mean for our group. It could be nothing. But then again we won’t know that until we know what it is.”
“Are you sure you weren’t smelling something on your shoes?” Mike asked. “We had just come back from Westmont. Who knows what we were stepping on when we went in to look at my house.”
“No, I’m sure it wasn’t that. But whatever it was, we need to check it out,” Tony replied.
Mike nodded.
“I’ll go down to the road with you,” Mike said. “Let me go tell Linda so she can lock up after we go.”
“OK,” Tony replied as he put down his empty coffee cup and picked up his crossbow and began to examine it.
Mike walked upstairs to his room and quietly opened the door.
Linda and Jamie were sitting on the edge of the bed.
Linda was wiping at something on Jamie’s shirt as Jamie held George out in front of her.
“I was trying to be quiet so I wouldn’t wake anyone up,” Mike said, “but I guess I didn’t need to be so quiet.”
“I was sound asleep,” Linda smiled as she struggled to hold Jamie still and clean something off the front of her shirt.
Jamie looked up at her dad and grinned.
“George threw up,” she said.
“George threw up?” Mike asked.
“Yeah, he ate a stink bug and then he threw up,” Jamie replied. “George is always eating bugs.”
“I’m sorry to hear George got sick.” Mike smiled.
“I’m only sorry that he didn’t throw up before he crawled in bed with us,” Linda added. “Stink bugs smell bad enough without the addition of cat vomit.”
“Maybe I should give George a bath,” Jamie said.
“I think both of you need a bath,” Linda added.
“How come me and George don’t get baths everyday like we used to?” Jamie asked.
“We have to save water,” Linda replied.
“Why weren’t we saving water before?” Jamie asked.
“Because we have a well now,” Linda replied. “Before we had city water.”
“Well, why don’t we get city water again?” Jamie asked.
Linda sat back and looked at Jamie’s shirt, “I think this is the best I can do for now. Go put on your green shirt and we’ll wash this one later.”
“OK,” Jamie replied. “We’re going to have to wash George cause he can’t change his fur, it doesn’t come off. I think it’s glued on.”
“Go!” Linda said.
Linda finally looked up at Mike and forced a smile.
“I’m going down to the road with Tony for a few minutes,” Mike said. “He thought he heard a car and wants to go down and see if anything has been disturbed. He also said he thought he smelled something strange down near the road yesterday and wanted to see if the smell is still there or if it is now gone.”
“He probably got a whiff of George,” Linda smiled.
“We should only be a few minutes,” Mike said. “I hate to ask you to get up, but you need to bar the door after we go and keep an eye on things until I get back.”
“It’s OK,” Linda replied. “I’m wide awake now. I swear I don’t know what smells worse, zombies or George’s bug puke. For some reason, ever since we were trapped in the attic back home, George insists on eating every bug he sees. I would have thought by now he would have learned that stink bugs don’t agree with him.”
Mike grinned as Linda looked up at him and started to laugh.
“In the world we now live in, we must be doing pretty well if all I have to complain about is George eating stink bugs,” Linda said then her smile faded. “Do you think there is going to be a problem?”
“It’s probably nothing,” Mike replied, “but it’s a good idea that we go and make sure.”
“I know, give me a minute to get dressed and I’ll be right down,” Linda said.
“You should change that shir
t too,” Mike smiled, “George must have eaten more than one stink bug this time.”
Linda looked down at her shirt and frowned.
Mike had just put on his black flannel shirt when Linda, Jamie and George came down the steps.
“Good Morning,” Tony said as he looked up.
“George ate a stink bug and threw up,” Jamie said.
“Don’t ask,” Mike said to Tony then looked over at Jamie, “I’ll tell Tony all about George outside.”
Tony grinned as he followed Mike to the door.
“Be careful,” Linda said as she walked over and gave Mike a kiss on the cheek.
“You too,” Mike smiled.
Mike and Tony walked out on the porch and heard Linda slide the plank over the door.
“George threw up?” Tony laughed.
“Yeah, he likes to eat bugs, but every time he eats a stink bug, it makes him throw up,” Mike replied. “Of course he has to climb up on the bed with us before he throws up. He can’t spit up hair balls like a normal cat.”
“The problems you cat lovers have to endure,” Tony laughed.
When Tony and Mike reached the woods line, they both got serious.
Tony led the way and Mike followed.
Talk was replaced with hand signals.
They began to walk quietly through the woods, careful to avoid stepping on branches or anything that would create a loud noise.
After every few steps, they would stop and listen.
The woods were filled with the unthreatening sounds of birds, happily chirping and flying around.
Finally they reached the spot where Tony had piled up brush to make his hiding spot.
After they had stood and listened for a few minutes, Tony pointed to the road, signaling Mike that they were going to move closer to the road.
It was only another thirty feet to the road.
When they reached the road, Mike was looking down Route 271 towards Westmont when Tony tapped him on the shoulder.
