“Oh, of course.”
“So you liked the CD?” asked Nora.
He shoved a wad of chew into his mouth. “No.”
“What did you think?” she asked, turning to look back at me.
“He’s very talented,” I said, although thrash metal wasn’t really my type of music either.
She turned back around. “He’s more talented at making music than being a father,” she said, softly.
Nora had told me once that her grandfather had died when her father had been very young, and they’d been very close. His death had almost destroyed the eight-year old boy at the time.
“Maybe it had something to do with his dad dying so young. You said it messed him up pretty bad,” I said, putting my hand on her shoulder.
She stiffened up.
“Sorry,” I said, removing my hand.
“It’s okay,” she said, turning back around. “I’m just kind of tense right now.”
“I understand,” I said. We were all pretty stressed out and on the edge.
“So, Nora, where do you think we might find your father?” asked Henry, opening up his window.
“We should check my grandmother’s house,” she said. “I left him a note a few weeks ago. Said I’d try making it back there and that he should leave me a message if he made it.”
Henry spit out his wad of chew. “Sounds like a good plan. Wild, what about your grandparents?”
“We need to drive out to their house, see if they are there.”
“You haven’t spoken to them since this mess started?” he asked.
“No. We tried calling them but they never answered their cell phone. My dad had told me they’d gotten the flu shot this year and I actually think he was afraid to search for them. If they would have been zombies…”
Henry nodded. “I know, he wouldn’t have been able to shoot them. Sometimes it’s better to not know.”
“So, why are we searching for them if they had the flu shot?” asked Nora.
“Well, Allie and I both survived getting bitten by zombies. They might be immune to the virus as well.”
“What are you going to do if we find them and they’re not who you think they are anymore?” asked Henry.
My grandparents were kind and loving people. There was one thing I knew for certain- they’d rather die than hurt another living soul.
I sighed. “Lay them to rest.”
***
A couple hours later, we entered Minnesota and my heart began to race.
We were so close.
“Where should we go first?” asked Henry.
“Nora’s grandmother’s house,” I said, watching the rain drops on the windshield. Since the trip had been her idea, it was only right.
“You sure?” she asked.
“Yep. Let’s go find your dad before we lose him again.”
She nodded. “Thanks, Wild.”
“Don’t thank me. This entire road-trip was your idea and I should be thanking you, especially if we find my grandparents alive.”
“If they’re alive, we’ll find them,” said Nora. “We won’t stop looking for them, either.”
I smiled.
“You guys want to listen to my dad’s CD again?” asked Nora.
“No!” both Henry and I answered at the same time.
She chuckled. “You guys are wimps,” she said, playing with the dials. When she pushed the FM button by accident, we heard a man’s voice being broadcast over the air-waves. We stared at each other in shock and turned up the volume.
“The time has come for the remaining survivors to form a stronghold against the zombies. We need to band together and take back what is ours,” he said. “So if you’re out there, find us, and join us.”
“Yeah but where are you?” whispered Nora.
The man kept talking about having a generous food and water supply that they were willing to share as well if and when other survivors showed up to join their cause.
“Get on with it,” mumbled Henry. “Can’t find you if you don’t tell us where you’re at.”
Then, as if the man had heard him, he announced where their bunker was.
My jaw dropped.
“The Mall Of America,” said Nora, turning down the radio. “How in the world could anyone secure that place? There are too many doorways. They’d have to kill all of the zombies and then board up every one of those glass-doorways.”
“Anything is possible,” said Henry. “Besides, most of the zombies were sick people before they turned. Probably weren’t many of them hanging out at the mall with the flu.”
“Want to make a bet? My sister wouldn’t let a little vomiting or fever keep her from shopping if she had the money and the vehicle to get her there. I’ll bet there were plenty of zombies wandering the mall before these guys secured it,” I said.
“This is good news,” said Nora. “If we can’t find our relatives at their homes, there may be a chance they’ve joined this Minnesota survivor’s group.”
“You might be right,” said Henry. “But it still sounds a little too good to be true.”
“I know. But at least we have another place to check if we can’t find our families,” I said.
“Damn tootin. Plus, I could use me a new change of clothes if we do make it to this mall. The ones I’m wearing are about ready to get up and walk away on their own.”
“Yeah,” said Nora. “You’re starting to smell as bad as the zombies.”
“It’s part of my camouflage,” smiled Henry. “Blend in with their smell and they can’t even tell I’m alive. Hell, I’ve got one foot in the grave as it is.”
“Oh brother,” sighed Nora.
I shook his shoulder playfully. “You do not have one foot in the grave. Quit talking that way.”
“I tell you one thing,” said Henry. “Dying doesn’t scare me anymore, Wild. Dying before I have the chance to get you girls safely back to Atlanta, now that’s what scares the tar out of me. I don’t want to let you down.”
“You could never let us down,” I said. “Now quit talking about dying.”
“Well, I just want you both to know, I’ve got your backs.”
“We’ve got yours, too,” I said.
He nodded but said nothing more, which was a relief, because this melancholy side of him made me feel guilty. Back at the hotel, he’d obviously felt secure and happy for the first time in weeks. But then he’d decided to be a hero, just to keep the two of us safe from harm.If anything happened to him, I’d never forgive myself and either would Nora.
“Thanks Henry,” I said.
“For what?” he asked, glancing at me in his rearview mirror.
“Everything. For being there for me every time I’ve needed you. Starting from that very first time we met. When I rear-ended you.”
His eyes sparkled. “Too bad I couldn’t have been there for you when you were learning how to drive.”
Chapter Nineteen
When Bryce made it back to the marina, Paige and Billie were nowhere to be found.
“Billie!” he hollered, stepping away from the SUV. “Paige!”
He heard a faint cry on the other side of the marina, where some of the larger boats were docked and immediately took off towards the sound. When he arrived, he found Paige, Billie, and a woman covered with blood.
“Thank God,” cried Paige, who was crouched down next to Billie.
“What happened?!” hollered Bryce, rushing over to him. “Oh my God, were you bit?”
He was lying on his side with blood seeping out of a wound on his neck. “Yeah,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Bryce took off his T-shirt and pressed it against Billie’s neck. He looked at Paige. “What happened to him?”
She swallowed. “When you were on the boat, about five zombies appeared out of nowhere, surprised the crap out of us. I think they were heading towards the river like the other ones, you know? Anyway, we ran away from them and back here. Then, when we were about to get back
into the SUV, Billie thought he heard a baby crying so we both rushed over here.”
“Zombies?”
“Yeah, well, two of them were on this woman,” she said, her eyes full of tears. “It was,” she shuddered,” horrible and too late, you know?”
“So, how did they get Billie?”
“Well, he slipped on the wet dock and they...” she closed her eyes and began to cry, “they pounced on him before he could shoot or I could do anything to stop them.”
“What happened to the zombies?” he asked, looking around.
“I…I…killed them,” she said, opening her eyes. “And pushed them into the water.”
“It’s so hot,” whispered Billie, his face pale. “My skin feels like it’s on fire.”
“You’re going to be okay,” said Bryce, forcing a smile. “We’re going to bring you back with us and get this little wound of yours taken care of. It’s really not that bad.”
“No,” whispered Billie, grabbing Bryce’s wrist. “Too dangerous. I can feel the virus spreading through me already.”
“Don’t argue,” said Bryce. “You’re going to be fine. Cassie beat this thing, so will you.”
Billie’s eyes began to close. “Save the baby,” he whispered.
Bryce’s eyebrows shot up. “Baby, what baby?”
“On the boat…”
“Hold this,” he said to Paige, motioning towards the shirt.
She nodded and held it against Billie’s neck while Bryce stood up and walked towards the Carver.
“I don’t think there’s a baby around here, guys,” said Bryce, climbing onto the deck.
And that’s when they both heard it, a faint cry from inside of the cabin.
Bryce opened up the cabin door and disappeared inside. Seconds later he re-appeared, his face full of shock. In his arms was a bundle of what was obviously more than just a pile of blankets.
“Oh my God,” gasped Paige, when the baby began to cry, its little arms flailing, angrily.
Bryce sighed. “Yeah. A baby.”
“Crap, what are we going to do?”
“I’m going to give you the baby. Then I’ll come back for him, before the rain picks up again.”
“Is it safe?” she asked, staring down at Billie.
Bryce’s lips thinned. “I don’t know. But I just can’t leave him. He’s alive right now. Plus, he’s one of us. We’re not leaving anyone behind.”
“You could tie him up, somehow,” said Paige standing.
“Good idea.”
She held out her arms and Bryce placed the infant into them. “Oh,” she smiled staring down at the small baby, who couldn’t have been more than a couple months old, “she’s so sweet.”
“How do you know it’s a she?” asked Bryce, kneeling down next to Billie.
Paige kissed the baby’s forehead. “Because,” she said, softening her voice, “she obviously cries when you hold her and now that I’ve got her, she’s content. You have that effect on women.”
“Thanks,” scowled Bryce.
“See, she’s smiling at me,” said Paige.
“What do we need for the baby?” he asked. “Don’t babies need diapers and milk or something?”
“Diapers and formula,” said Paige. “We’re going to have to pick some up somewhere.”
“I’ll search the boat after everyone is safe. Let’s get you both to the SUV first.”
They were back on the road thirty minutes later, with Billie restrained in the back, with rope they’d found on the boat.
“They had a first-aid kit,” said Bryce. “I put some iodine on his neck and bandaged it up. He’s got a fever though and I couldn’t find any aspirin.”
“What about things for the baby?”
“Well, there were only a handful of diapers and I couldn’t find any formula on the boat. We’re going to have to stop somewhere.”
“We need a car-seat, too,” said Paige, staring down at the baby, who was sleeping. “It’s against the law to be traveling like this.”
Bryce snorted. “What law?”
“I know, but we still need one. It’s safer.”
They found a small grocery store on the edge of town which appeared quiet and free of zombies.
“Stay out here with her. I’ll be back,” said Bryce, grabbing the gun.
“What if he changes into a zombie?” she whispered.
“He’s tied up. Even if he does, he can’t get to you.”
Paige sighed. “Poor Billie.”
“He might make it through this. Don’t give up.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I’ll get some peroxide for that wound and bandages. Obviously they won’t have any car-seats but they’ll hopefully have formula.”
“We can always find another vehicle with a car-seat,” she said, looking hopeful.
“Keep a look out for one then.”
Bryce got out of the SUV and Paige watched as he ran into the store. Even from this distance she could tell that the place had already been ransacked by other survivors. She hoped none of them had babies.
“What’s your name, little one?” she whispered, staring down at the sleeping baby. “I guess you’re too young to tell me.”
“Paige,” mumbled Billie, from the back.
She stiffened up. “Uh, yeah Billie?”
“Why are my hands tied?”
“You were bit by a zombie, remember?”
He didn’t say anything.
“Billie?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’ve felt better.”
“Um, you were right about the baby.”
“What baby?” he asked, struggling to sit up.
She turned around. “The baby on the boat. Don’t you remember?”
“No.”
The only thing he could remember was getting bitten by the zombie and then the intense heat. Even now he could still feel the fire raging through his veins.
“You don’t look so good.”
“I feel like shit. Do you have any water?”
“No, but we’re at a grocery store. Bryce should be back in a few minutes.”
Billie turned and stared at the building. “He went in alone?”
“Well, I certainly could go in with the baby.”
“You could have left the baby in here.”
Not with you, she thought. After what had happened to Austin, there was no way she was going to take any chances around Billie.
“Looks like he found what we needed,” she said, relieved to see Bryce leaving the store with a large box of diapers and a bag.
“Hey bro,” said Bryce, opening up the back of the SUV. “How are you feeling?”
“Not good.”
“Fortunately for you, I found some pain medication and a bottle of seltzer water. Everything else was pretty much picked over by looters.”
“Looks like the looters didn’t need diapers,” said Paige.
“Or formula,” said Bryce, setting down the bag. “I wasn’t sure which kind to get so I grabbed a couple different kinds along with some plastic bottles. Oh, and wet-wipes.”
Paige glanced down at the baby, who was beginning to get restless. “Um, I have a feeling we’re going to need a lot of things. Things we’re forgetting. Well, my mom will know what to do once we get the baby back to Cassie’s grandparents.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” said Bryce. “I still remember when Bobby was a baby, seems like we went through diapers and formula like water. Speaking of which, I did find some distilled water in the back of the store. I’ll have to go back for it.”
“Bryce, you gotta untie me, man.”
He sighed. “I just can’t. It’s for everyone’s safety.”
“I’m not turning into one of them,” he snapped. “Take off the damn rope!”
Paige and Bryce looked at each other. It was obvious that Billie was already showing signs of aggression.
“Settle down, man. We ha
ve to wait until we get back to the house,” said Bryce.
Billie clenched his jaw. “This is bullshit.”
“Sorry. Here,” he said, opening up the bottle of pills. “Take a couple of these and try to sleep. Your body needs it.”
“Fine,” said Billie, opening up his mouth.
Bryce quickly pushed the pills in and then opened up the seltzer water. “You’re going to be alright.”
“She’s getting mad up here,” said Paige as the baby began to fret. “We need to mix some formula.”
Bryce nodded. “Okay,” I’ll be back.” Then he closed the back of the SUV and ran back towards the store.
“Paige,” said Billie. “I have to pee.”
“Why didn’t you tell Bryce when he was still here?”
“Because I wasn’t thinking about it at the time.”
“Sorry, you’re going to have to hold it.”
“Thanks,” he snapped.
“What the heck do you want me to do about it?” she snapped back. “I have to take care of…Adria here.”
“Adria?”
“Yeah, the baby. She needs a name and that one seems to suit her,” she said, staring into the baby’s blue eyes. A smile spread across her plump cheeks and Paige grinned back. “I think you like that name, don’t you sweetie?”
“Paige, I really need to go.”
“Bryce will be back in a flash. Hold it.”
“Jesus, you two are both being totally unreasonable.”
She turned back. “No, you are. You’d do the same thing in our position. I mean seriously, you’re being irrational right now.”
Billie didn’t reply, he just laid his head against the back window and stared out into the night.
The rain began to pick-up again as Bryce pushed a cart filled with five jugs of water towards the SUV.
“Billie has to pee,” said Paige, when he opened the back.
Bryce sighed. “Okay. Let me load this stuff and then I’ll help you.”
“Just untie me and I’ll do it myself,” said Billie.
“We already went through this,” replied Bryce.
“Dude, you’re not going to help me pee. It’s just not going to happen.”
Bryce sighed. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Look, I’ll untie you for this but after that, we have to restrain you again.”
Zombie Games (Book 4): Road Kill Page 11
