by C. A. Hoaks
“Amy and Claire. Their dad died on the base. Their mother was taking them to their grandfather’s place when they got separated. I figure they’re orphans. I promised Amy, I’d get her and her sister to their grandfather.”
“Wow!” Tate laughed. “Small fuckin’ world.” She pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
“What do you mean?” Matt asked then swallowed a mouthful of coffee.”
“I was headed to Pine Springs to stay with my cousin. Randy’s been up there since the VA Hospital cut him loose, last year. He works for some crazy general restoring a hunting camp or something. Supposed to have a bunch of cabins.”
“Damn. I thought it was little more than a run-down hunting cabin. Maybe I ought to rethink heading up that way.”
Twenty minutes later Matt spent some time explaining the situation at the camp. “I’m not saying you won’t have to work. We all have to work, but for now, it’s safe, and we’ve been getting by. It’s your choice.”
“We have nothing to go back to,” Red commented. “You’ve got a place to go that’s protected. It’s what we need right now.”
“Accommodations are tight. Just want you to know that.”
“We lived in a cage for the last week. Do you really think it can be worse than that?” Theresa answered.
Matt shrugged and answered. “Doc, Tate and I will clean out the house at the end of the drive then come back. The rest of you gather whatever you might be able to use in the store and load it into the back of the truck out front. We’ll move out in about an hour, so get moving. We can get to the camp in six or seven hours.”
The store suddenly became a beehive of activity. Children and adults alike were gathering clothing and a myriad of supplies into trash bags and carrying them to the vehicles. When Tate drove a mini-van, she found in a garage behind the house to the store, the women decided to use it for the kids. Doc and Hazel cleared their back seat, and their grandchildren would ride with them.
The trip back through back roads was slow and grueling. They dodged two small groups of infected gathering around stalled vehicles. The victims had run out of gas and spent days camping along a deserted road only to die from heat and exposure.
Red glanced at Matt sitting behind the wheel of the mini-van. “Dumb shits probably sat around waiting for someone to save them.”
He shrugged. “Yeah. City people in their SUVs don’t have much in the way of life skills without a refrigerator and microwave.”
“You do,” Red answered.
Matt pulled the pills Doc had given him from his pocket, and dry swallowed one. “Haven’t always. I just figured out it’s time to step up.”
“You and Tate did. I’d be dead right now if you two hadn’t come along. I had every intention of killing at least Stubby last night. That crazy red-neck Grant would have killed me afterward, but that bastard would have been dead. In my book, it would have been worth it.”
They drove in silence for a long time before Matt answered. “You have to stop looking like that. If you try to justify dying each and every time you’re put in that position before you act, you’ll end up dead. It’s a matter of doing what you have to to survive and never making plans for not surviving.”
“I…” Red began then fell silent. After a moment she responded. “This attack on the country took everything. We saw the news on the Internet. It’s everywhere; Europe, Asia, China, even Russia and Africa. How do we go on after this?”
Matt glanced over his shoulder at the four children napping on the two passenger seats. “The kids are the future,” He answered flatly. “If we can protect the children, we have a chance. They’ll learn to adapt. The bodies of the infected will decay, and they’ll eventually disappear. If we can survive long enough, there’s hope for some of us. We just have to learn to live differently.”
“We’re all infected, now. Some of the sites said it was airborne. The only people not infected are isolated in bum-fuck-Egypt, ” Red retorted. “How do we make a life knowing anyone can turn the minute they die? People’ll die, and it only takes one infected to destroy a community. That’s what happened to our town. One person. That’s how it started. Twenty-four hours and it was overrun, and those of us left were running for our lives. Most of us didn’t have time to load up water and a few canned goods.”
“We’ve seen that,” Matt agreed.
“My brother-in-law got hit by a neighbor’s car. My husband and I took him and Theresa with us when we left. He died and came back. If my husband hadn’t been there, he would have killed all of us.”
“I’m sorry. But that’s the reality now. We can lie down and die, or try to learn to live with this hanging over our heads.”
Matt saw the white truck’s tail light blink twice. Matt rolled down his side window and could hear the motor of the vehicle being downshifted. He pulled the van toward the left and could see the camouflaged gate swing open. “Here we go. We’re home.”
Red turned toward the kids in the back seats. “We’re here. It’ll be all right, now. These are nice people that will protect us..”
Matt glanced up at the hidden tree stand and threw a wave at the soldier.
“Glad to see you, Monroe.” The soldier at the gate held up a radio, then waved the caravan forward.
Matt followed the truck down the narrow gravel road to the park entrance. The gate swung open, and Larry ran up to the van.
“About fucking time you showed up, asshole.” He took a deep breath. “You had us worried.”
“Sorry about that. I ran into a problem, Tate showed up then we got a little sidetracked.” Matt nodded toward Red. “Found some folks that needed some help.”
Larry leaned down to look through the driver’s window and grinned at Red. “I guess we’ll let it slide since you brought a beautiful woman back.” He glanced at the kids in the back seat. “Welcome to Camp Verde. Who likes to fish?”
Two hands shot up, and tentative smiles creased the small faces.
Tate pulled up behind the van and Matt moved his foot from the brake to the gas.
Larry stepped back. “Let’s get these folks inside and a place to sleep.” He tapped the top of the van. “When we get them settled, we need to have a talk.”
“Got it. Meet me at the office at four.” Matt answered.
A few minutes later, five vehicles, the two pickups, the white truck, doc’s Oldsmobile and the mini-van were parked at the edge of the parking lot. Everyone gathered bags of clothing and personal supplies and followed Tate and Matt to the Rec Center.
The group including, Doc, Helen, and their granddaughter, Libby and Rosalee Red and Theresa, the children, two additional women, and two teenagers stood together looking at all the people around the camp. The group watched the collection of soldiers, women, and dozens of teens and children. The adults each seem to be busy with a sense of purpose. There were smiles and waves of welcomes. When the kids at the playground noticed the new children, they stopped their games and wandered closer.
The vehicles parked and Amy hurried to the van carrying Claire. She waved at the kids in the truck and ran up to Matt. She set the carrier down and jumped into Matt’s arms. “Mr. Matt, I missed you.”
Matt sat her down and rumpled her hair and squatted down laughing. “I missed you, girls, too, pumpkin. How’s Claire Bear?” He picked up the baby from the carrier. Matt settled the wiggling bundle on his arm and Claire wrapped her arms around his neck with a giggle.
Amy picked up the carrier and slipped her hand into Matt’s. “Claire missed you too.” Amy laughed.
Finally, he led the new group toward the office. “I can see. Have you two been good while I was gone?”
“Of course. Miss Amanda fed Claire mushed up peas, and she smelled so bad, Miss Amanda says; never again.”
Amanda crossed the yard from the Manager’s office with Jake following close on her heels. “Well, what have we here. New arrivals?”
“And none too soon, the way I see it, young lady.” Answered Doc as he stepped out f
rom behind Matt.
Amanda looked at the old man with white hair and the pleasant-looking plump lady standing next to him. “And why would that be?” She asked.
“I’m a doctor, and my wife is a nurse.” He grinned. “From the looks of it, our arrival is just in time.”
Amanda laughed as she clutched at her belly. “If you only knew.”
Jake looked panicked. “She’s been doing that thing all afternoon.”
“Just Braxton Hicks,” She sighed and reached for her back while she turned to Matt. “Did you tell Jake to watch out for me? I can’t even go to the bathroom without him jumping up and following me.”
Avoiding the loaded question, Matt got to his feet. “Jake, we need to get these folks settled. Do we have room in the Rec Center?”
Jake nodded. “We came across a lucky find, the day before yesterday.” Brought four campers from another campground, not far from here. Found a few people too.” He frowned at the mention of the last.
Matt turned to four campers parked in the front row of concrete pads behind the food truck. “So I see. You can tell me all about it later.”
Chapter 12
Coming Home
John and Cody spent nearly an hour washing the dog. With closer inspection, they found a collar with a tag identifying the dog as Maxie hidden amid the matted and filthy coat. From time to time there was even a giggle from Trace during the process.
Liz, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced over her shoulder at John watching and giving advice to the two kids bathing the dog. She turned back to Harry, “You think we should be wasting the water on washing a dog?”
Harry shrugged after glancing at the gages. “Let ‘em be. They’ve lost a lot. Let John do what he can to cheer them up.” He chuckled. “Besides, I hate the smell of dog shit.”
Suddenly, the camper filled with laughter and the sound of John yelling. “Catch that mutt!” John landed on his butt laughing as the dog vaulted over him.
The dog hesitated long enough to give a shake from head to toe, sending droplets of water over John and the rest of the camper. The kids exploded from the tiny bathroom with towels in hand to call, the dog’s name. “Maxie!” The dog stopped, shook again then walked back to the kids. A few minutes later, both kids were busy drying the Aussie.
John crawled to his feet and went to the kitchen to pick up a towel to wipe the water splattering the cabinets and furniture. “Her next bath is in a fuckin’ lake somewhere.” He grumbled. Maxie looked at him, and he faked a snarl. “Stay away from me, mutt.”
“What the hell is going on back there?” Harry demanded.
Liz walked back to help. “John is warming up to the new addition since she had a bath.”
“Glad to hear we’ll have that wet dog smell for the rest of the trip. Beats the hell out of the shit smell.”
Cody and Trace brushed and fussed over Maxie until the thick red hair was nearly dry. The Aussie walked to the front of the camper and waited for a scratch behind the ear from Harry, then trotted off to the back of the camper. Soon the only sounds were the tire whirring over the rough blacktop road.
Liz took several deep breaths fighting nausea that seemed to become worse by the hour. She leaned against the window and closed her eyes as she drifted between conscious and dozing until she felt a hand grasped her shoulder.
“Go lay down. You’ve brought us this far; Randy will lead us the rest of the way. You got that little’un to think about now.”
Liz turned to face John squatting behind the seat. “How can I think about another child when my girls are out there? I don’t even know if they’re alive. I have no idea if they’re being cared for or wondering the city where I left them?” Tears streamed down her face.
John chuckled. “You know that’s not true. You found that message. The soldiers have the girls and will bring them to you when they can. In fact, they may be out there in Pine Springs right now…who knows?”
“Do you really think that?” Liz wiped at the tears.
“I think it’s possible, but if they aren’t there, it means nothing except they aren’t there YET.” John stood. “Now, get up and go to the bedroom and lay down. On your way back don’t wake up the kids. The girl is sleeping with the dog on the bottom bunk.”
Liz stumbled to the back of the camper. She clutched at the furniture as she moved past the table, the kitchen, the closet, and bathroom. By the time she got past the bunk beds to the bedroom, she was stumbling and weak in the knees.
A couple hours later the kids were up from their nap just as Randy slowed to pull off the road for a break. According to Harry’s calculations, they were less than fifty miles from the lodge. He was beginning to worry about Liz and discussed it with John. She had lost all color in her face and grown weaker in the last week. It seemed each day she ate less and less. Then the previous evening she had refused food altogether.
Randy parked the pickup in the shade of a sprawling oak tree. He got out of the cab, stretched and walked back to the camper. “Well, folks, you getting tired of riding?” Randy looked around and gave a puzzled look. “Where is Liz?”
“Hasn’t been feeling worth a shit since we wrecked the bikes.”
“I want to eat and take a few minutes. We have one bad place to get through then we turn off the major road. The problem is, it’s the only way back. It was hairy the last time, and it might be a lot worse.” Randy announced.
Harry nodded as he turned off the motor and got to his feet. “Taking a break everyone.”
Trace asked. “Can we take Maxie outside?”
“Sure, keep her on a leash,” John answered. He led the kids out of the camper to a shady spot under the massive live oak. He dropped a case of water and several bags of snack foods and jerky, then added. “I’d sure like something besides this shit. Probably half of Lizzy’s problems. We’ve eaten nothing but crap like this for weeks.”
Randy shrugged. “A few hours and we’ll be home. Aunt Wilma and the women have been using the big kitchen. We’ve been eating pretty well.”
The men milled around with water and jerky while Randy describes the small community they would be passing through. “When we get there, don’t slow down. We cleared the vehicles as best we could the first time through. Hopefully, some asshole has not come through and screwed the pooch.”
“No problem. Tires on the camper are pretty big and have deep treads. It’d take a hell of a mess to slow us down.”
“I hope so. It’s pretty narrow. There won’t be a lot of room for mistakes.” Randy looked toward the camper. Liz had not appeared to eat with the group. “I’m beginning to worry about Liz, too. She doesn't look good.”
Harry nodded. “Been thinking the same thing, young man.”
“About ten miles past the place I told you about we may be picking up a group of folks. It shouldn’t be more than a quick meet and greet. They’ll either be ready to tag along or wave us by.”
After a nod from Harry, everyone sat around eating, drinking and lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Randy advised. “You ready.”
“We’re good,” Harry announced. “Ready to go when you are.”
“Sounds good. Let’s load up.” Randy waved at the kids, and they came running.
The trio of vehicles pulled back onto the highway. Randy steered the loaded pickup around stalled cars and passed stumbling infected and an occasional single dwelling. They drove across the quiet countryside until they got to the crest of a hill overlooking a small community of no more than a dozen houses. The road bisected the cluster of houses surrounded by trees and rugged boulder formations.
“Fuck!” Randy cursed. “Something isn’t right.”
Miguel sighed. “Dios Bueno. Where did they all come from?”
Randy slowed his truck as he stared at vehicles creating a barrier between a metal building on the left and a stone structure on the right. “That doesn’t look good.” He pulled his foot from the gas.
“What now?” Miguel asked. “The
re’s a lot more infected.”
Randy studied the road ahead as a few of the infected turned and sniffed. They seemed to hone in on the sound of the vehicles and began shambling toward them. Harry pulled up alongside the pickup on the left.
“I take it this is not what you expected,” John called out.
“We took out a few infected and moved a couple vehicles out of the way, the day before yesterday. It looks like someone done this. This could be dicey, once we are committed if someone is waiting, all they would have to do is close off that narrowing at the far end.”
“You think it’s a trap for you?” John asked.
“I think someone is hoping to catch people like they did those folks. Look at all the damage. The doors and trunks are opened like someone searched for supplies.”
Miguel pointed to the approaching infected. “They even killed kids. Look at the pequeños monstrous, little monsters.”
“Do you think the people who did this are still down there?”
“Good chance since the trap is still blocked but even if they aren’t, that many infected could be a problem.”
“Can we go around it?” John asked.
Randy gave him a worried look. “We can’t. I’ve got the steel guard across the front, so I’ll lead out.” He stepped out of the truck to call back a few instructions to Pablo then turned to Harry. “Leave enough room to back out if this goes south.” He turned to Miguel. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter 13
Fires in the Night
“His fever broke sometime last night,” Della announced when she walked into the kitchen at dawn where Millie was beginning breakfast.
“Been three days. I was getting a little worried.” The old black woman made her way to the stove and opened a metal door. She slipped a few pieces of kindling inside to lay them on the smoldering coals. “That’s good to hear. Can’t stay here much longer.”
“What do you mean? We have plenty of food. Almost every day Zack brings back meat,” Della asked.
“When my arthritis botherin’ me, I come down an’ watch. I seen fires in the valley,” Millie announced as she put several more substantial pieces of wood into the box.
