“Sir? Should I send out QRF?” Frost asked.
“Tell everyone to stand down,” Savage finally said.
“But sir-”
“That’s an order, Captain! And then I want you to make sure that Zach and Abby are taken off of our ‘Wanted’ list…and turn off those goddamned sirens.”
Chapter Nine
Hours later, the sun began to rise and turn the clouds an almost pinkish hue. Zach, Abby, and the others had spent the entire night walking to the north-east. Zach was pretty sure that Savage would not send out any search parties, but he wanted to be far away, in case he was wrong. They headed towards the town that Captain Frost had told them about before they had been captured: Little America.
Right now, Abby led the group. She had asked Zach if she could navigate, so Zach had given her the map and compass. He was surprised and very proud of how quickly she got the hang of it. She walked at the front of the group while Zach stayed in the rear with Amber.
“She’s growing up so fast, I can hardly believe it,” Zach said.
“She really is, even in the short amount of time that I’ve known her. She’s a lot like you, you know,” Amber said.
“Well, let’s hope she turns out better than I did.”
“Oh, stop it. You’re an incredible father who managed to raise a wonderful daughter in this nightmare of a world.”
“She’s wonderful, alright. But I can’t take all the credit for that. It’s just who she is. Bug has a huge heart, she was born with it. Ever since our first day together, I’ve taught her how to survive, but she’s taught me how to live.”
“I think we could all learn a little something from Abby: how to endure loss, how to handle fear.”
“And how to love a gruff, short-tempered, old Marine,” Zach said with a grin.
Amber smiled back and said, “I think I’m starting to learn that, too.”
They were quiet again for a minute, then Zach turned to Amber and said, “You’re a special woman, Amber. I mean that. I like you, and I mean that, too. And I’ve been thinking that, once we get to this town…I mean, it sounds really nice there. It’s safe and we could all finally settle down after this life on the road. So I was thinking that maybe you and I…could consider being together?”
Amber was silent for a moment as she pondered her response, though it felt like an eternity to Zach. “I like you too, Zach. The very first time we met, I knew you were different from the average guy.”
“Yeah, the average guy doesn’t stick a gun in your face the first time he meets you, huh?” Zach said in a self-mocking way.
Amber laughed and said, “You have me there. But I understand. You were protecting Abby, and after what you guys had just gone through the previous day, I can’t blame you at all.”
“Did Abby tell you about all that?”
“She did, when we were all being held in that one room,” Amber replied, though of course she didn’t know all about it.
Zach shook his head and said, “I never should have taken her down there. I never should have let them take our weapons.”
“Well, from her version of the story, she seemed to feel responsible for what happened. But that just proves the point I was trying to make. You love Abby so much, and you’ll do anything to protect her. And any misfortune that befalls her, you feel responsible for it. It speaks volumes about you, Zach, and about your character. And the way she loves you only adds to that.”
“How so?”
“Abby wouldn’t be so in love with a bad person. But love you she does, and she knows you better probably than anyone else in the world. So if she loves you for the man you are, then maybe I can, too.”
“Maybe?”
“Maybe. I like you, but I haven’t known you nearly long enough to say that I love you. Believe me, I’ve learned my lesson about falling in love too quickly. And…there’s the incident with Vicky.”
“Hm,” Zach grunted. He thought that might come up again.
“Once we get to Little America, and we all start to live like normal people again, we can talk more about it,” Amber said.
“That’s fair,” said Zach. This is the response he was expecting: hopeful, but guarded. He really did like Amber, more than he let on. He cared about her in a way he hadn’t felt since he lost his wife. In almost no time at all, she had broken down all the barriers that Zach had erected around his heart.
Amber thought that Zach seemed a little bummed out, so she quickly added, “I suppose so. But considering all that you’ve done for us thus far, this is also fair.” Amber reached up and put her hand on Zach’s cheek, turning him to face her. And then she kissed him. Zach was surprised by this, not expecting it at all as Amber’s lips met with his briefly.
Abby had happened to glance back just now, and she did a double take when she saw Amber kiss Zach. She smiled and thought, “They are so cute.” She really liked Amber too, and she hoped that one day she could have her as a mother. Abby and Zach made a great team together, but they were both missing a big piece in their lives: Abby needed a mother, and Zach needed a wife. Abby went back to her map, holding it front of her as she walked. She noted their position and estimated that they could get to the town in five days, maybe six.
And so, on the morning of August 1st, a Saturday, a town came into view of Abby and the others. It still sat far in the distance, haloed by the morning mist, but it was unmistakable. Everyone cheered wildly, jumping up and down with joy. Their nightmare was over, and no one could contain their excitement as tears flowed freely from all.
The town was still several miles away and it took a few hours to finally find themselves standing on the road that led into town. It looked rather like a small town of maybe a thousand people or so. Unlike the Air Force base, it was surrounded by not one but two reinforced chain link fences with concertina wire double-stranded on top and triple-stranded in front. Guard towers were placed at even intervals and were manned by two people each. Tall lamp posts ran all along the fence and were spaced about fifteen meters apart from each other, and there was the occasional armed guard patrolling the perimeter.
As the group got closer, they could see that part of the town was actually a large, outdoor mall that was designed to look like a classic, all-American small town. There were a few large, open areas that had homes on them, some finished and some under construction. Most of the buildings were small and thin, like strip malls, but there were a few very large buildings, one of which was an old Gander Mountain store. Across the road from the mall but still within the perimeter fence there was an apartment complex that actually appeared to be lived in. It looked like there was more to the town, but nothing that Zach could see from where he was.
The group walked down the road towards the main gate of the town. At one hundred meters’ distance, they started seeing signs that stated the process of entering Little America:
Welcome to Little America!
Governed by Mayor John Calvin, elected in the year 2018
Population: 900 approx.
For the safety of our town and its residents:
Every person regardless of age, sex, race, etc.
WILL BE SEARCHED UPON ARRIVAL.
Any packs, sacks, bags, etc. are subject to search.
Drugs, drug paraphernalia, and explosives are not allowed
for personal ownership in Little America, but seizure
of personal property that is NOT contraband by gate
guards is EXPLICITLY UNAUTHORIZED. If gate guards
attempt to seize personal belongings that are NOT contraband
items, please inform the Mayor so that this can be corrected.
Prior to entering Little America, a thorough
body inspection will be conducted, regardless
of age, sex, race, etc. This is to ensure that
no infected humans will endanger the town.
NO INFECTED HUMAN WILL BE PERMITTED
TO ENTER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.
Once
inspected and cleared to enter, all persons
will be escorted to the Town Hall where they
may apply for temporary residence or request
to become permanent residents. Temporary
residents are permitted to stay for a period
that shall not exceed four days and nights.
If you are armed, please unload your weapons
and approach the gate with your hands in plain
sight. If driving a vehicle, please turn off your
headlights, approach at no faster than 5mph, and
park and turn off your vehicle when instructed
to do so by the gate guards.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We hope to be able to welcome
you into our growing community!
“They sure aren’t taking any chances,” Al muttered.
“Can’t say I blame them. Unload your weapons, everyone,” said Zach as he pulled the magazine out of his rifle and ejected the round that was in the chamber. Everyone else followed Zach’s example, making exaggerated gestures so that the guards by the gate knew that they were complying with the rules. They then walked down the road slowly, keeping their hands away from any weapons on their bodies. They approached a thick white line about twenty-five meters from the gate that ran across the entirety of the road. In front of it in big, white letters was the word ‘STOP’.
“Is this just for vehicles, or everybody?” Ross asked as they slowly approached.
“Let’s stop there, just to be safe,” Zach said, preferring to err on the side of caution, but one of the gate guards had noticed their uncertainty and waved them forward. Past the white line sat three long concrete barriers set in a staggered formation on the road so that any vehicle could not approach straight on; it would have to slow down and weave around the barriers. Three men and one woman stood behind the concrete barrier closest to the gate, watching Zach and the others approach. They instructed the new-comers to stop at the outermost barrier.
“Good morning, folks. My name’s Fernando. Can we help you?” asked one of the men as he stepped forward.
“Yeah, we’d like to enter your town,” said Zach.
“Very well. Please set your weapons down right there, then come on forward and place your packs over here. Larry here will search your stuff in front of you so that you can verify that we haven’t stolen anything. Once that’s done, you’ll be taken into the inspecting rooms here to be checked for bites.” Fernando pointed to the side of the road, at two small, windowless shacks.
Zach instinctively placed a hand of protection on Abby’s shoulder and was about to question the necessity of strip-searching a teenage girl. But Fernando sensed the discomfort in his face and defused the situation before it even had a chance to flare up by quickly adding, “Jenny here will be the one inspecting the women and the kid, just so you’re aware.”
Satisfied, Zach and the others followed Fernando’s instructions. They laid their weapons down on the ground and then set their packs in a line next to the concrete barrier that the gate guards were standing next to. As Fernando, Jenny, and the other man did a quick pat down of the group, Larry, a young man with bright blond hair, opened up their packs and began to carefully rummage through them. He got to Zach’s ruck, flipped it open, and said, “Oh, hell yeah!”
Everyone turned to him, puzzled looks on their faces. But then Larry produced a Playboy magazine from Zach’s ruck and said, “Dude, I’ll give you ten bucks for this!” Although Zach couldn’t see himself, he was acutely aware of the blushing in his cheeks. He had forgotten about that magazine from the gas station and had not even looked at it since then. Abby let a loud laugh slip out before covering her mouth to stifle it.
“Sold,” Zach said quickly, wishing to retreat out of the spotlight. Larry rolled the magazine up, dropped it in his cargo pocket, then fished a ten dollar bill out of his pocket and handed it to Zach. Zach took it and asked Fernando, “You guys still use dollars?”
“Yeah, bro. You’d be surprised at how little the zombies have affected some places in the country. Sure, most of North America is considered the Wild, but where the government is still in control, it’s as if nothing has changed. Then the President started this ‘Helping Hand’ campaign, and now our town is just as nice as any pre-Crisis town.”
“What’s this ‘Helping Hand’ thing about?” Zach asked.
“Well, once the government retreated into their safe zone out west and made sure things there were stable, they started to gather news about settlements out in the Wild where people banded together for safety. I guess they did a kind of lottery thing, and we got lucky. Our town and two others received massive funding and material to make our settlements as safe and as civilized as possible.”
Fernando paused to light up a cigarette. He took a short drag, blew out a puff of smoke, then continued, “They did this as a way of showing the American people that the government is still in control and that they are aware of the plight of millions of Americans. And these places they set up are supposed to provide hope for everyone who can’t reach the West. So yeah, Little America is virtually the same as any town in the ‘Before Times’.”
“When you say ‘virtually the same’, how much so are you talking about?” Zach asked.
“I mean you’ll almost forget about the zombies,” Fernando replied as he ran his hand through his shaggy black hair, itching his scalp. “Once a week, a couple of big ol’ choppers from some military base resupply us with all kinds of necessities as well as luxuries. We’ve got a grocery store, a movie theater, a school, even a damn bar!”
Larry finished searching all the packs and gave Fernando a thumbs-up. “Alright,” Fernando said to Zach, “If you’ll come with me into that first hut, we’ll get these inspections started so y’all can head inside. The girls will go into that second hut.” Zach followed Fernando into the first little shack and Abby went with Jenny. The inspections went quickly. All one had to do was take off all their clothes, the inspector would search over their body for bite marks, and then they could get dressed again and leave. It took only a few minutes for everyone to be cycled through the process.
Fernando instructed the group to gather all their belongings and follow him into the town. He called up to one of the men in a nearby tower to open the gate. The man pushed a button and then the gate slowly rolled open.
Zach and Abby exchanged glances with each other. Their faces were dirty from so much traveling, their bodies ached from weeks of sleeping on the hard ground, but they both felt the exhaustion of their recent tribulations suddenly fall from their shoulders. Then they both smiled. Abby took Zach’s hand in hers and they entered the town together.
By looking at their expressions of wonder as they were led through the town by Fernando, one might think that this group of people had just been transported from ancient times and were witnessing modern America for the very first time. It seemed too good to be real. People walked about in shorts and t-shirts, not having to carry all their belongings on their back, people stood outside shops chatting with friends or with store-owners, some people were riding bikes up and down the road, but no one was looking over their shoulders, afraid of seeing zombies or raiders. Stores of all kind, from furniture stores to clothes stores lined the street, and flyers advertising community events such as Poker Night at the Town Hall or a scavenger hunt for kids were pasted on bulletin boards.
Fernando was talking, giving them an introductory tour as they went, but everyone was so amazed by their surroundings that they hardly listened. And before long, they arrived at the Town Center. It was a wide, circular intersection, in the middle of which was a large fountain. On the other side of the plaza, directly across from the group, stood a tall, old-style brick building, surrounded with well-trimmed hedges and flowers, further beautifying the area.
“That there is the Town Hall, where all the politics of the town take place,” said Fernando as he led them towards the impressive buildin
g. They walked up the few stairs that led to the front door, past an armed man standing guard at the door, and then into the main hall of the building.
The floor was covered with a wine-colored carpet, soft to the touch, and the walls were made of dark wood. Along the right wall was a vast fireplace with couches and chairs sitting in front of it. Book shelves lined the entire wall across from the front door, filled with tomes of American history, biographies on major American characters, and classic literature and novels. Two winding staircases were on either side of the room that led to the second level, which was where most of the business in the Town Hall took place. Windows were in abundance all over the building, flooding the main hall with sunlight.
But the most dominant feature of the main hall was a large sculpture in the middle of the room: a life-size image of none other than America’s original Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington. The sculpture showed the general on horseback, waving his tricorn hat in the air as his horse rears up. The facial features showed an exceptional attention to detail. Washington’s eyes were narrow, his brow was furrowed, and his mouth was open wide, as if he was bellowing words of encouragement to his soldiers.
Zach stared at this statue in awe, captivated by the likeness of a great American. He could almost hear the roar of the cannons and musket volleys, the sound of bugles and the cries of wounded men. The acrid smell of expended gunpowder and the musky, metallic odor of spilt blood reached his nostrils. He could see a line of Red Coats advancing through the smoke of a battlefield; professional soldiers of a global empire bearing down on the citizen-soldiers of a few meager colonies.
A young private, who has not even shoes to cover his war-weary feet or a hat to contain his wild, unkempt hair, considers fleeing. He perspires excessively as the heat of the sun beats down on him and he chews nervously on his chapped lips. His last meal had been two days ago, but it could hardly have been accused of providing sustenance. The pain in his side from where a musket ball grazed him is flaring up, and he grimaces in pain.
His Name Was Zach Page 18
