“Pastor?” asked a woman as she approached the table. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“That’s all right my dear. There is nothing to worry about. What might I do for you?”
“We were wondering if we could cook up an extra large meal for lunch, since we have so much more now, just this once. We can’t waste and all normally.”
He nodded. “That is an excellent idea.” Then the preacher turned back to us. “Will you join in?”
“We’ll stay for that, sure, but afterwards we’ll be heading back to get started. I’ll leave you a map with the site marked on it for your reference too.”
“Wonderful, in the matter of you staying for lunch, though a map will also be appreciated. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I would like to see to the others. We’ll talk more later.”
* * *
“Okay you two,” began Lizzy, “what happened last night? I want disgusting details. The holy man is gone, Susan and Timothy and their self-righteousness are elsewhere, and Mary’s too far away for her delicate ears to get burned.”
Lois backhanded Lizzy’s broad and fleshy shoulder. “Be nice to my sister.”
“I am being nice,” she protested. “I made sure she couldn’t hear and be all disturbed, her being only thirteen and probably having seen it all on the Internet already.”
“I’m not telling you anything,” said Briana, laughing, “not a single thing.”
Lizzy looked at me, and I shrugged. “I think it’s best if I not speak on any personal matters at this time.”
“Well, you two were real quiet, but it was more whispering, tender quiet than sound asleep quiet. I’m guessing romantic sex.” She grinned at Briana. “Try the bouncing about screaming variety. It’s more fun.”
Briana, to her credit, did not blush, although I think I might have.
“And I bet there was plenty of gushy love talk afterwards.”
Lizzy was correct in that there was all sorts of talk that lasted late into the night, but a good deal involved discussions on impressive and implausible ways to kill zombies, such as firing operating chainsaws out of a cannon. I can’t recall how our conversation ended up so weird. It had just been one of those things.
“Come on,” she pressed. “I need something to tell Mary so she can point at you and giggle. My personal amusement is at stake.”
“Lizzy,” said Lois, “please stop. You’re going to embarrass them.”
“I did that a long time ago. Besides, this is nothing. I can do much, much more.”
“You tell me your secrets,” said Briana, “and I’ll tell you mine.”
“Don’t you dare Lizzy,” snapped Lois.
Her girlfriend nodded. They had an interesting relationship. I have no doubt that Lizzy would tell Briana everything, except Lois was very, very quiet and private when it came to such matters. She would kiss or embrace Lizzy in public on rare occasions, but that was the extent of it. And Lizzy would never do anything to hurt Lois’s feelings. The matter had been closed. Wonderful. There was no way that would last.
“Come along,” said Lois. She stood up and pulled Lizzy away from the table.
“Are you mad at me?”
“No. We just need to go for a walk.”
* * *
“Lois is a good friend,” observed Briana. “Can you imagine what Lizzy would be like without her?”
“Dreadful comes to mind. By the way, do you still want to speak with Pastor Wills about us?” She hadn’t brought that up since the prior day. “We can if you like.”
“No. Yes. Well, not yet.”
I smiled. “It’s good to be so decisive.”
“I’m getting there. I’m just not as ready…” Her voice dropped lower. “…to discuss him marrying us as I thought I was. I’m good with us. I like our relationship. I love you. I want to be with you and stay with you forever and ever and maybe then some, though not if that means shambling about. Scratch that part. It didn’t even make sense to me.” Briana took a deep breath. “I need more time on making it all… formalized. I want to. I really do, but I don’t want some sudden rushed thing. I think I rushed a whole lot in just bringing it up so soon.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? That’s all? No, I love you Briana and want you to marry me right now, or I love you but we should build a church first?”
I didn’t like the direction this was heading, and I was clueless as to the correct answer.
“Sweetie,” I said, “I told you before, it’s me and you, the two of us. Marriage is nice. I have nothing against it, favor it strongly in fact, but I won’t force you to rush anything. I’m good the moment you are.” That came out sounding awkward. “I have you. You have me. That’s the most important thing.”
She softened. My reply must have been close to what she wanted to hear. Hurray for me.
“I love you Jacob.”
Briana had such beautiful green eyes. I stared into them.
“I love you too. I love your personality. I love your charm and grace. I love your mind. I particularly love that you aren’t stupid. I love your looks, long legs, nice ass, beautiful face, large…”
“That’s enough,” she laughed. “Let’s go get Mary. She’s all alone over there.”
“Wasn’t she with Miranda?”
Briana looked about. “Cherie has her again. Can’t see Lizzy or Lois anywhere.”
We waved to Mary who was heading toward our Jeeps. She gestured for us to come to her instead, and we dutifully left the picnic table.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Guess what I saw,” she replied, smiling broadly.
“No idea.”
“Come on Jacob. Guess.”
“Zombie ice cream truck?”
She laughed. “Not even close, not that you’re even trying.”
“That was pretty weak,” confirmed Briana. “I’m going to say pathetic.”
“Okay then, tell us what you saw.”
Mary looked about conspiratorially. “I saw Cherie talking to Simon.”
Briana snorted. “That’s not exactly unusual. The tramp talks to him all the time.”
“Nah, this was different. She gave Michael some candy, good stuff far better than what we handed to the other children. Then, before turning to Simon, she undid the top button of her blouse to show some cleavage. Lots of it.”
Cherie was well built, so that was easy enough and undoubtedly appealing.
“And,” continued Mary, “she did it fast, like she’d been practicing so no one would notice. I don’t think anybody did, other than me.”
“Bitch probably did practice,” muttered Briana. “Can’t stand her.”
“What did Simon do?” I asked.
“He took a look, but it was only for a few seconds. After that he focused on her face and talked like normal.”
“I bet that pissed her off,” said Briana, harshly.
Mary shook her head. “I don’t know. I think Cherie was happy he didn’t. She seemed satisfied when she walked off. Lots of the church people did watch as she walked by though, even some of the women. I have to tell Lizzy about that.”
“She’ll find it entertaining,” I replied, “but it was probably just jealousy. Cherie is prettier than most of them. Tell her when Lois is around.”
“Trying to keep her from causing trouble,” nodded Mary.
“Bright girl.”
“Lunch looks to be getting ready fast,” interjected Briana. “And what do you mean Cherie’s pretty?”
“She is.” There was no denying that fact. Actually, Cherie was quite beautiful, but I didn’t think it was in my best interest to come out and say so.
The church group had moved several picnic tables close together and were finishing with the cooking, using both fires and camping stoves.
“Let’s go ahead and join them,” I suggested. “We’re leaving after the meal. I want to take another look at our spot before dark and make some plans as to what we need to do.”
*
* *
During the meal, Cherie and Miranda sat with us. They’d discussed matters, and both decided to remain with our group. Cherie’s reasoning was clear cut. We knew what we were doing and increased her chances of survival. Plus, she found the odd, though rare comment about her converting irritating. In short, Cherie was quite happy being Jewish and had no desire to change. Miranda had grown fond of us in the short time we were together, agreed that we seemed to be competent, and wanted to remain in her newfound comfort zone.
Surprisingly, Timothy and Susan said they were sticking with us as well. After the reception they received, I thought they would remain with the pastor, possibly even going out on their own to get supplies from nearby houses. Instead, they found a dozen others who also asked if they could come along. That caused a stir, although less than when the pair first departed the church group. The news had apparently already made the rounds, and most of them stated, unequivocally, that they were not leaving the lake camp permanently. Rather, they were tired of sitting around and just needed to do something, anything productive. Apparently, helping us out was the best they could come up with, and a few commented that they would like to bring back more supplies as well, if they could. I had no problems with that.
One of the newcomers, Dean, said he was moving with us long term, if we didn’t mind. He was a carpenter and general handyman by trade. On that alone I had no objections. We needed people with practical skills. Also, he was not a church member. He’d been camping when the zombies appeared and just hung around the group for safety. He didn’t care for the constant praying, extreme religious sentiments some showed, or the insane rescue hopes. The man, like us, knew there would be none.
* * *
That afternoon was spent moving everyone to the new site and searching it a second, more thorough time. Two of the newcomers left after I stated that this was my spot so my rules applied, namely everyone sleeps in their car or in a fortified house on rare occasions. Tents were not permitted until a fence was built and even then there would be a watch kept at all times. Some people are just foolish, putting minor inconvenience over avoiding getting eaten. Stupid breathers. I did not regret their departure.
The following morning we started planning with most of our discussions reflecting zombies and how to defend against them. As to those who didn’t think the biting machines were an issue, that would change tomorrow when we left the national forest and went on our first group raid. We would be facing zombies then. The things might be avoiding the forest for whatever reason, but we had never passed through a town without seeing them by the dozens, if not hundreds. And that meant risks.
I also wanted to see a few of the newcomers kill the shambling dead. Not a one had ever done so. It seemed that those who helped Ray the first night at the lake were also the ones who went into Chadron and never returned. It was important that I know they were capable of defending themselves and others.
Mary immediately volunteered to help kill zombies – she’s full of spunk – but Lois vetoed the killing part a few seconds later. The others, all adults, weren’t given the option. We had more than enough guns to equip everyone for the excursion, and Lizzy gave a few quick lessons. We’d have to keep a close watch and hope there weren’t any accidents however. The level of inexperience was way higher than I was comfortable with, and by accidents I don’t mean shooting someone by mistake – everyone seemed conscientious enough – but I did worry about not switching the safety off or failing to put a round in the chamber, that sort of thing.
“Dean,” I said, “we want to set up an initial safe area. It needs to have a six foot wood fence around it so nothing can get in. We’ll put the tents inside, along with a shack or something to store food and supplies. The trucks will stay outside, and people can leave most of their personal stuff and other supplies in those – it’ll keep animals out and save room. What do you suggest?”
“Can we build higher than six feet?” someone asked. I didn’t see who.
Dean shook his head. “Six is standard. Finding boards that length is easy. We can take them from houses around here, and any lumber yard, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and whatnot will have them in stock. Couldn’t see over them if higher, hard enough at six feet.”
“We’ll put some crates or benches in spots for people to stand on when keeping watch or in case we need to shoot anything,” I added. “We’ll get a really big one for Lizzy.”
“I’m not that short,” she snapped. After a pause she scowled. “Or that heavy, if you’re implying something along those lines.”
“Jacob would never be so mean,” said Mary. “Stop comparing him to yourself.”
“There are houses in the national forest,” I continued, before Lizzy started yelling, “but not that many, most without fences. The official buildings have some, probably to hide or secure equipment of some sort. We didn’t look all that closely.” I tried to remember where we’d seen those. “We can take the pickups and get what we can from these today, and we can try to salvage more food as well to stock up. Most will come tomorrow.”
There was some nervous shifting. None of the newcomers wanted to face the zombies. Cherie didn’t either, but she would be keeping watch from her pickup with Miranda working the radio. We needed more of those devices. Actually, there was a lot that we required. I had Lois start a list. We’d prioritize later.
“We’ll need concrete too,” said Dean.
“No,” I interrupted. “No cement. We just dig the posts in.”
“It won’t be nearly as secure. If enough people pushed on it, it could topple.”
“The fence is temporary while we build a palisade. I rather be able to pull the stuff out easily later and reuse the wood. Plus, we’ll have other uses for any concrete we find. Is there a way to brace it, on the off chance a whole lot of zombies come at same time?”
“That’s easy enough,” admitted Dean. “Bracing the top with angled poles that are dug in will actually make it harder to knock over than a couple hundred pounds of concrete at each base. This’ll take up a lot of interior space, but if it’s big enough that won’t matter. Your palisade’s going to be harder.”
“Yeah Jacob,” said Mary, “stop making everything so hard.”
“I rather have a nice stone wall, but I don’t know how to make one that won’t fall down.”
“I can do bricks and cinderblocks,” said Dean. “Stone stone is not something I’ve worked with, outside of minor decoration work, but I can experiment.”
Several people were nodding. Stone did seem safer and more comfortable than a wooden fort. It would certainly last longer.
“Want to get started with the nearby stuff then?” I asked.
“Hell, yes,” said Lizzy. “You talk way too much.”
“Not as much as Lois,” added Mary. She nudged her sister with an elbow. “She never shuts up.”
Most of the people didn’t know us well enough to get the joke, but Susan and Timothy chuckled.
“One team or two?” I asked.
“Two,” said Briana, quickly. “There are enough of us for that, and we’ll get more faster, save on driving too.”
“Who with whom then?”
“I’ll stay here with Miranda,” said Cherie. “We’re central communications. Leave me a couple of the ladies, and we’ll have a proper dinner ready for when you come back. Let’s anticipate you get here an hour before the sun goes down. Leave someone who can shoot and we might have rabbit or venison.”
That sounded feasible. It got Cherie out of any hard work, good for her, and it kept Miranda and those Lizzy and I already thought the least likely to be useful in a crisis from under foot.
“Keep in touch with Simon and the pastor as well,” I suggested.
“Lizzy and you need to be on separate teams,” said Susan.
Lizzy narrowed her eyes at that. We worked extremely well together, and she knew it.
Susan hurried on. “The two of you have done this before. You know what you’re doing. If
one of you isn’t with the others, then it’ll be new people doing it for the first time.”
“You were with us too Susan,” pointed out Briana.
“But I never saw a zombie, not after that one night when it was so crazy and bad. I know how you do the house and rooms, calling out for them, but it’s not the same. I’ve never tried anything like that.”
“Zombies are rarely in the buildings,” I explained, for the benefit of the newcomers. “Most seem to go right outside into the streets. It’s not a big issue. Still, it is a good point. For today I lead a team. Lizzy gets the other.”
“I want the ones most likely to bow down before me and lick my feet,” she said.
“Yeah,” I replied. “You get Susan and Timothy. They’ve been around you long enough to only get moderately offended when you open your mouth. Take Dean and another as well. That gives you two pickups to load up. Lois and Mary can keep watch while you’re working. I’ll take two pickups with two each as well. The rest can stay here with Cherie.”
We only had five pickups, almost all that had been at the lake camp. Since we would be doing plenty of heavy work, the pastor hadn’t minded us taking them. Two each with a team seemed sufficient.
“Shouldn’t you have two watchers as well?” asked Dean. “I assume it’ll be you and Briana as always.”
“As always?” asked Briana.
“Mary said that you were a good team and were never apart,” he clarified.
“Well, contrary to what the pipsqueak may have told everyone,” she continued, in good humor, “we are separate on numerous occasions. For instance, when using the toilet or after eating beans.”
“Beans, beans,” I broke in, “the musical fruit.”
Coming from someone my age that sounded quite silly, but it still brought out a few smiles. I sometimes wonder if I say these things to maintain morale and keep spirits high or if it’s just the way I’ve become since the apocalypse began. My personality has definitely been changing, I’ll assume for the better.
Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse (Book 1): Sanctuary Page 25
