Profit shook his head. “See if there are any CDs in this thing. I could use some music.”
“I take you for a wannabe gangsta rap guy… no wait.” Bernie grinned. “You’re the Barry White guy who thinks you can set the mood with a woman.”
“You got me.”
Bernie searched the Jeep but she didn’t find any CD’s even though it had a CD player. She hit the eject button and a CD popped out. “You into Tom Petty? It’s his greatest hits.”
“Sure. I like the tune they had in Silence of the Lambs.”
When the first song started, Profit laughed. “This is the song. Nice.”
Profit stopped the Jeep next to the on-ramp for I-95. “Do we try it or keep to back roads for now?”
“I say we use the main highway but go slow. Make sure nothing is in front of us that might be a problem. Conserve gas, too.”
Profit nodded. “I have no problem turning around and backtracking if need be. Cars purposely angled in the road or blocking the path are sure signs someone is around. Make sure you have a weapon ready.”
Bernie tapped the butt of the rifle.
Profit turned on the air conditioning but it blew rancid air that was hot. “Wishful thinking.”
Bernie rolled down her window all the way and reached back to open the one behind her. “The breeze is nice.”
“Don’t open the windows. That’s the part of the movie where the monster climbs in and kills everyone.”
“I feel like we’re living on borrowed time. Besides, air that doesn’t stink like rotting corpses or your body odor is welcome.”
Profit raised his arm and smelled his armpit. “Yeah, I do stink.”
“So do I.”
“There are some nice islands in Georgia. We could go up to Jekyll Island. They have an awesome buffet in the hotel,” Profit said.
“Should I call ahead and make a reservation?”
“The point is we could go anywhere.”
“As much as I enjoy Tom Petty, we need to find food, water, gas and someone’s CD collection.” Bernie put her hand out the window and closed her eyes. “I’m pretending we’re on a date. Going to the park for a picnic. I made ham and cheese sandwiches. Mac and cheese.”
“From a box?”
“Hell no. My grandma taught me how to make it from scratch. Best damn mac and cheese you’ll ever eat, too.”
“When we stop at a store, let’s see if we can find everything you need for it.”
Profit was already bored with the music. Not really his style but it was better than nothing, and music, any music, was refreshing right now.
Two exits down there was a line of vehicles in the road.
Profit sped up and drove on the side of the road, through the overgrown grass, until he got back on pavement. He was taking no chances.
“I guess we take back roads for awhile?”
Profit shrugged. “We’re under no time constraints. Notice we haven’t seen a zombie in miles?”
Bernie was turned in her seat, looking at the exit and the cars. “I don’t see anyone up there. Maybe just an actual accident.”
“I say we head west and see where this road takes us.” Profit turned left. “Keep an eye out for a gas station or a supermarket. A pawn shop would be nice, too.”
“What about a gun shop? We are in Florida.”
Profit laughed. “I’m going to imagine everything we’ve named is long gone. Looted first.”
“If I had to do it all over again, I would’ve found one of those bakery outlets. Filled my car with boxes of chocolate donuts. Maybe even the powdered ones, although they’re messy.” Bernie tapped along to the music. “If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?”
“Italy. I’ve always wanted to go and see ancient stuff. When I entered the military, I put in for Italy, at the top of my list. I saw Kuwait, Britain, South Korea and Alaska instead.”
“Alaska would be nice and remote.”
Profit shook his head. “Too many giant animals that will rip you apart. You think zombies are bad? Try facing a hungry bear, in the snow, when all you have to do is get to the outhouse to take a leak.”
“I like the East Coast anyway. Whenever I traveled, the time difference always tired me out.”
Profit slowed the Jeep as a strip mall of stores came into view on their right, past a torched high school. “See anything?”
“The bastard destroyed a Dunkin Donuts. What I wouldn’t give for an iced coffee right now.” Bernie pointed. “There’s a Target. It looks relatively intact from this far.”
Profit pulled into the lot.
“Anything moves you shoot it,” Profit said.
As much as he wanted to explore and find what they needed, the goal was still to get as far away as possible in one piece.
The parking lot was empty. Most of the stores had been ransacked, doors and windows broken. Debris and leaves in the stores.
Profit parked in the back of the parking lot, directly in front of the Target.
The store had lost its windows but it was boarded up. The front door still had the glass and it was closed.
Target was still intact, which meant one or many more people were inside.
Chapter Thirty Five
“Can anyone walk on their own?” Carlie was hoping some of them would say yes but they all shook their heads.
“I found it,” April screamed.
Carlie took the chains off an old woman and lifted her to her feet but it was obvious she couldn’t stand. This wasn’t going to work.
“What do we do? We can’t leave them but dad needs this,” April said and held up the first aid kit.
“You go. I’ll stay and get them settled.” Carlie hoped April would just do it without an argument.
“I swear I’ll be right back,” April said, surprising Carlie. She thought there was definitely going to be a fight about it.
Carlie needed to move anyone she could into another room. This one had the windows broken out but it still smelled awful. These people had gone to the bathroom where they stood or sat. It was making her gag.
“Do you have food?” an old man asked. “Just a little something. We haven’t eaten in two or three days. For fun he would toss in a can but no opener for it. He thought it was funny.”
Carlie nodded. “Be right back.”
She went into the kitchen, thinking she could find bowls and utensils. More food.
It was empty. Even the fridge and stove were missing.
How did he feed them? Carlie didn’t understand his game. Why go through the trouble of enslaving people if you were only going to let them rot away and die?
You’re trying to understand how a zombie does things, she reminded herself.
Carlie searched the boxes and found a large steak knife, which she used to poke a hole into a can of corn and slice it open.
By the time she got four cans open, a couple of the people had wandered into the living room, using the walls to balance.
“Please help pass these out to those who can’t move. I’ll try to find a few different things. Sorry none of it is heated,” Carlie said.
An old man smiled. “I absolutely hate corn. This is the best meal I’ve ever had.”
A couple of people who weren’t in such bad shape helped Carlie by setting the cans on the top of the boxes so she could open them.
While she wanted to feed everyone, she knew they couldn’t eat it all. They needed to save some for their next meal.
“I’m Tito,” the old man said. “I’d shake your hand but I’m filthy. Thank you for helping us. The bastard killed a few people over the last few weeks, especially when the zombie horde walked through the area. I’ve been here the longest but, in the beginning, he actually fed me.”
“What happened to him? Besides, you know, him being a damn zombie?”
Tito shrugged. “He started losing his mind. Talking to people that weren’t there. Telling them about his plans to breed humans for slave labor.”
“H
e would’ve starved you all to death instead.”
“This isn’t the only house, you know.” Tito helped pass out more food. “He told me he filled six more on this block and the next one over. It might be more by now. He often left for long periods of time. In the beginning, he just locked me in the room and told me if I tried to escape or go through the open window he’d kill me slowly. I never tried to escape. Where else could I go? Besides, I’m too old to climb through a window. He was feeding me, too. I sold out for a can of food.”
Carlie put her hand on his shoulder. “You did what you had to do to survive. You helped these people, too.”
“Your father is hurt?” Tito asked.
“Yes. He got stabbed by a bar counter.” Carlie was trying to make light of it but she knew his life was in danger. She hoped April could get to him in time.
Tito sat down on the floor. “Sorry. I tire easily.”
“I understand. When you get a second wind can you point me in the direction of the other houses? I’d like to free everyone and get them to a central location if possible.” Carlie knew she had to help these people. “I’ll find the best house we can stay in.”
Tito smiled. “You said we.”
“I’m not going to leave you.”
“No one would blame you. We’ll only slow you down. There isn’t enough food and my guess is a few people will be dead soon anyway. There’s still too many of us to manage.” Tito tried to stand again. Carlie helped him up.
“I’m not a monster,” Carlie said quietly.
Tito held onto her. “You need to get back to your family. I’ll feed everyone. It will be our last meal or close enough. Slip away when everyone is busy. I won’t be mad. None of us will. We’re not long for this world.”
Carlie smiled. “It’s not gonna happen so shut up already. I need you to walk with me to the end of the driveway. Can you do it? I need to know which houses.”
“You’re wasting your time.” Tito smiled. “If I wasn’t so dirty, I’d kiss you, little girl.”
Carlie leaned up and turned her face with a smile.
Tito pecked her on the cheek.
“Get a room, you two,” someone said and everyone laughed.
Carlie couldn’t help smiling. An hour ago these people had no hope at all.
“Let me go and see who else wants to eat cold soup out of a cut open can,” Carlie said.
Chapter Thirty Six
After an awkward introduction, while Mimzie aimed a rifle at his head, Mitch and Tosha went inside and saw how badly Mister Hand was doing.
“Is there any water?” Mitch asked.
“Nothing. The girls went out to find supplies.” Mimzie started to tear up. “Please tell me you can do something to stop the bleeding.”
“The bleeding isn’t the problem. It’s the infection.” Mitch ripped the sleeve off of Mister Hand’s shirt.
Tom opened his eyes and grinned. “Hey, I liked that shirt.”
“I’ll buy you a new one.”
“Where are your daughters now?” Tosha asked. She was staring at Mitch.
Tosha knew exactly what was happening.
Mitch silently thanked her for asking because he knew, even with the proper meds and supplies to clean and bandage the wound, it was still risky.
This man needed a hospital and a real doctor. He was in pain and trying to put on a brave face in front of his wife but Mitch could see it was going to overtake him sometime soon and he’d be lucky to pass out.
“They went to find something to help him,” Mimzie said.
Mitch didn’t want to say it but he hoped they were looking for something for the pain. He didn’t think Mister Hand was going to survive much longer despite how aware he was at the moment.
No way would they patch him up and he’d be able to move.
Mitch looked at Tosha and he could see she shared his concern.
“Move away from my parents slowly or I’m going to blow your fucking head off,” April said as she walked into the room.
Mitch saw the woman a second too late and knew, if he went for his weapon, she’d get the first shot. At this close range, he was dead.
Tosha laughed.
April looked relieved and put down the gun. “What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you to return so we can help your father.”
April went back into the other room and came back with a box. “Supplies. Don’t tell me you’re also a medic.”
Tosha pointed at Mitch. “He is. You two ever meet?”
April blushed. “I’m not sure.”
Mitch smiled at April. “I don’t think so. I would definitely remember you.”
Tosha made a noise like she was throwing up. “You two can flirt once her old man is patched up.”
“Not in front of me,” Mister Hand said but he smiled.
“I’m not a medic but I’ll give it a try,” Mitch said. He took the supplies from April and looked through them. “I think there’s enough to make a rudimentary cleaning of the wound and keep it covered and from getting worse but I can’t do anything for the infection with just a bottle of aspirin.”
“While you’re doing that, I’ll guard our backs. I’m sure there’s still too much movement on the beach,” Tosha said. She smiled at April. “You should probably go upstairs and make sure we’re good on all sides.”
“I need to get back to my sister. I left her behind with a houseful of people who’d been chained up and were starving to death.” April pointed at the supplies. “We found food and ammo and other stuff. It looks like a zombie was hoarding it to lure people.”
“Where is he now?” Mitch asked. All they needed was a smart zombie to also contend with.
“My sister blew his head off.” April looked at her parents when she said it.
Her mother smiled.
“I’ll do a quick run of the property.” Tosha waved at April. “Take a walk with me before you head back to your sister. I need another set of eyes.”
Tosha and April left. Mitch wondered if Tosha had pulled April away because she and Mitch had connected.
Mitch turned to Mimzie. “I know you want to help but I need some space. It might be better if you’re upstairs making sure nothing is coming for us. We had to come this way because there’s a horde of zombies coming down the beach. Who knows what else is lurking, too. I’d hate to be in the middle of helping your husband and we’re attacked before we had a chance to see them coming.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Mister Hand coughed. Mitch could see a speckle of blood on his lips. He was hurting more than he was letting on and most likely in intense pain.
“Go, Mimzie. I need some damn air. This pretty boy will fix me up. I’ll be doing triathlons again in no time.” Mister hand coughed again.
“You hate walking to the kitchen for a snack.” Mimzie smiled.
Tom waved his hand. “I ran triathlons before we met.”
“I think it’s more than just running,” Mimzie said.
“When I get better, I’ll Google it.” Mister Hand smiled at his wife. “Now go upstairs and make sure the zombies haven’t found us yet.”
Mimzie reluctantly patted his hand and glanced at Mitch before leaving.
Mitch could see the unspoken plea in her eyes. She knew the inevitable but wanted to believe in miracles.
“Woman’s always nagging me to take out the garbage and do the dishes and not bleed to death,” Tom Hand whispered.
Mitch knew he needed to be realistic with the man. “I’m going to try to make you comfortable. See if I can stop the bleeding. You really did this by banging into a bar?”
Mister Hand shook his head. “I got sliced yesterday, right as the fun started. When we were attacked. Some jerk with a sword. He got me good, right? I hid it as long as I could. I think if it hadn’t gotten infected I would be fine now. I didn’t want anyone to know I’ve been hurt for so many hours. I thought we had more important things to worry about. Like being atta
cked at that moment.”
Mitch wished he had water to properly clean the wound.
“Go through the motions for my family’s sake. I’m already set with my reality. I had a great run. Awesome wife and kids. I survived this long during a zombie apocalypse. How many people can say that?” Mister Hand was breathing heavier now.
“You still have your sense of humor, too.” Mitch went to work on the man.
April was back, standing away from Mitch and her father. She obviously didn’t want to see her father in such bad shape.
Mitch turned his body so she couldn’t see all the blood and pus in her dad’s wound.
“I need to get back to my sister. She might need me.” April took a step away but she looked like she wanted Mitch to say something.
“Uh… okay.” Mitch felt the energy between them. “Please be careful. Let your sister know I’m going to do everything in my power to help your father.”
Mitch didn’t know why he’d added that last part. It seemed like he was trying to impress April.
He was. She was a very attractive woman. It was obvious she was interested in him, too.
In the middle of the end of the world.
Just my luck, Mitch thought.
Mitch jumped up when he heard rapid-fire gunshots from the backyard.
Chapter Thirty Seven
Darlene expected her son to show after she’d taken out John, especially so quickly.
“Well? Show yourself.”
She opened up her thoughts again so her son could see she was serious and ready for their final battle.
Silence except for the crashing of waves on the beach.
“Time to do this,” she shouted.
Darlene tried to find her son using her powers but it was no use. He was somewhere hiding like a shithead.
“Do you want me to stand here and do nothing? Is this supposed to be funny?”
Zombies began to appear on the beach, pouring in from the hotels and buildings.
They were all headed towards Darlene.
“Seriously? This is lame. You’ve turned their attention towards me? They can’t hurt me. None of them. Even the intelligent ones under your control.” Darlene smiled. “I get it. You’re stalling. Little Boy is scared to go against his mommy.”
Dying Days (Book 9) Page 13
