“I just don’t understand how,” Metzger muttered, shaking his head.
Isabella unzipped her duffel bag and pulled out a box containing several vials of various solutions in a variety of colors.
“These are samples of some antidotes they’ve been working on,” she said, not removing them from the packaging.
“Where did those come from?”
“They’re stored on one of the ships.”
“How the hell did you get them?”
“I’ve had a very busy day,” she said, exasperated because of her day’s activities and Metzger asking so many questions.
“You’re asking the wrong questions, son,” Timmons finally stated, looking to one side, acting a bit paranoid that they might be followed or spotted at any moment.
“Those have something to do with Bryce?” Metzger asked slowly.
Sutton and Buster both stiffened at the noise of a nearby vehicle and headlights illuminating the pavement just a few blocks away.
“We need to move,” Sutton said, ushering everyone in the direction of his box truck.
“If they pursue us, your box truck isn’t going to make a good escape vehicle,” Metzger commented.
“How do you know I still have it?” Sutton asked, picking up his pace to a jog.
“You’d die before you’d let that thing out of your sight.”
“Well, I almost died for it a few times, and I can assure you I consider my life more important than a few supplies.”
“But you still have it.”
“Of course I do.”
Within a few minutes the group reached a parking structure where Sutton had cleverly hidden his vehicle behind some concrete partitions where it wasn’t easily visible to passing soldiers. Metzger imagined the patrols focused on locating the undead and seedy people, rather than parked vehicles.
“Where are we going?” Metzger questioned as Sutton popped the back of the truck open, revealing just enough space for a few people to squeeze in with his belongings.
“We’re getting the fuck out of Norfolk first,” Sutton replied.
“Language,” Isabella chimed in.
“How much of a head start do we have on the military if they track us?” Metzger asked no one in particular.
“Maybe two hours,” Timmons said. “If we’re flying anywhere, we need to beat them to the airports or get creative.”
“Are they really going to come after us that hardcore?”
“Dan, they aren’t going to let you leave,” Timmons said solemnly. “They could give two shits about the rest of us. Even me, when compared to what you can do for them.”
Metzger stared at him, waiting for an explanation, but Sutton ushered everyone except him into the back of the truck.
“Jump in, everyone. I’ll get us out of here and find a second vehicle.”
Everyone looked to Metzger, who gave an approving nod regarding the plan.
“It’ll be okay,” he said to Nathan in particular. “It’ll be dark in there, but just stay calm and we’ll be safe real soon.”
He handed his nephew the flashlight he usually carried.
“I’ll be okay,” Nathan assured him.
“Good,” Metzger said, kneeling down beside his nephew. “Keep your mom and the captain safe, because they don’t like the dark either.”
“That’s for sure,” Timmons grumbled more about the plan than any fear of darkness.
Once everyone climbed inside, Sutton closed the doors and used a steel bar to keep them secure. He looked to Metzger.
“Ready for this?”
“An hour ago, I was ready to call it a night, so no.”
Both men climbed into the front of the truck, with Buster sandwiched between them, and Sutton managed to get them clear of the garage rather quickly. He navigated the streets of Norfolk without using the headlights, and whenever he or Metzger spied headlights nearby, Sutton either stopped or changed direction. Before long, he reached the town limits, and only a few bridges separated the group from Naval Station Norfolk and complete freedom.
Metzger’s mind kept wandering to Isabella and the vials of serum. He began to guess his importance to the military based on her revelation that his brother possibly survived a zombie bite.
“You okay?” Sutton asked as they neared the first bridge.
“I’m not sure anymore. Surviving the apocalypse is one thing, but this feels like living in a soap opera with plot twists.”
“Look, I can’t leave the area,” Sutton confessed. “Even if I can’t patch things up with your girlfriend, I’ve still got to look for my boys.”
“I understand. Have I missed anything these past few weeks?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Sutton said with a chuckle. “That’s a story for another time.”
Metzger sat silently with his thoughts a moment.
“Colby, am I going back to New York just to see my brother as a zombie?”
“That spunky sister-in-law of yours seems to think he’s alive,” Sutton said with a shrug. “What happened up there?”
“Bryce died saving the rest of us,” Metzger said, feeling numb all over again. “He got a bite from one of the undead.”
“You’re sure?”
“There was blood,” Metzger said, feeling as though he personally hammered a nail in his brother’s coffin.
If only Bryce were given the benefit of a casket.
When Sutton entered the tunnel that went beneath the waters leading to and from Norfolk, he found a line of cars and trucks parked to one side, cleared so traffic could move freely. Done mainly for the military’s benefit, the line of cars provided a used car lot of sorts for the group to peruse once Sutton freed them from the back of the truck.
Although sweaty from being locked inside, the trio appeared otherwise unscathed.
“We can’t linger,” Metzger said. “Let’s pick a vehicle and Colby can lead us out of here.”
After selecting a car and a van, the group discovered neither would start, so they settled on a dark blue Ford Expedition that started, though it immediately indicated the fuel level was dangerously low.
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Timmons commented as he slung his duffel bag in the open rear compartment.
Everyone else followed his lead, placing their makeshift luggage inside. Isabella found a handful of maps inside, discovering one that covered the local area.
“Sure you won’t come with us?” Metzger asked of Sutton, his mind continuing to stir regarding Isabella’s statements.
He wanted nothing more than to get straight answers from her once they were safe from being pursued.
“I’ve got to stay in Virginia until I find the boys,” Sutton replied.
“Sounds like we’ve got to find a plane,” Metzger commented. “We can follow you out of here while we scour the map for airports.”
“There are a few nearby,” Sutton said, “if they aren’t already picked over.”
Everyone stood awkwardly a moment, as though uncertain how to go about parting ways.
“I’ll lead you out, and I can get you some supplies for the trip,” Sutton offered.
“Thank you,” Metzger replied.
Sutton turned to jump into the driver’s seat of his box truck when a pair of headlights came at them, aimed toward the Navy base. Metzger instinctively reached for a sidearm he hadn’t worn in over a week, but he remembered the duffel bag that now held the firearm. He opened the rear hatch of the vehicle, rummaging through the bag Isabella handed him. Finding his sword and the .357 revolver his father gave him many years back, Metzger stepped forward, prepared to fight for his freedom if necessary.
A white van stopped a safe distance from Sutton’s box truck, and as the passengers reluctantly stepped from the vehicle, Metzger began to see fami
liar faces. Luke, Samantha, and a male stranger emerged first, walking in his direction. He spied Gracine just behind them, and his worries subsided when he saw Jillian step in front of the group, bringing a smile to his face. She virtually ignored Sutton, and the man didn’t say a word, taking a step back instead.
Jillian approached him and threw her arms around his torso. In her embrace he sensed she’d been through quite an ordeal the past few weeks. Perhaps Sutton had left some details out of his account of recent events, but Metzger could sort that out later. At the moment, he felt good holding Jillian, and he didn’t want to let her travel without him again. As she released her grip, Metzger looked at the group, wondering where their adventures were about to take them.
“Looks like the band is back together,” he said, feeling the happiest he’d been in weeks.
End Volume 2.
The Undead Chronicles (Vol. 2): Darker Days Page 39
