In the Lone and Level Sands

by David Lovato

  “Thank you,” Jessi said.

  “We won’t look,” Garrett said. “Promise.” He reached up and turned the rearview mirror upward. “Not that we can see a damn thing anyway.”

  “Okay, honey, I’m going to need you to put this on, okay?” Jessi said.

  Kara was silent for a moment, then said, “It’s too big.”

  “I know, I know. But if you keep your wet clothes on, you’re going to get sick, and we don’t want that. And I’m sure if you curl up into a ball, and you stay here on my lap, it’ll keep you nice and warm, okay?”

  Kara took the shirt and started putting it on over her wet clothes.

  “No, honey, that won’t work. You’re going to have to take the wet clothes off.”

  Kara looked up at her, and then at the two men in the front seats. Her eyes started to get teary.

  “Honey, it’s okay. I promise, okay? You’ll be okay. They’re not going to look, and I’m going to keep you safe, okay? I need you to do this, because I don’t want you to get sick.”

  After a few minutes of shuffling around, the passengers were all once again situated. Kara almost started to cry at one point, but instead gave in to her sleepiness, and took a nap. A few more miles went by.

  “Thanks again, Warren,” Jessi said.

  “Not a problem at all. I just wish I had more to give.”

  “I hope the guys in the other car have figured something out,” Garrett said. “It’s getting colder by the minute, and we may not find anything but trees for hours.”

  The car ahead of them suddenly slowed, and then it came to a stop. Garrett stopped behind it and cautiously got out of the car. Ahead of him, Layne was getting out.

  “What’s up, man?” Garrett said. “You cold?”

  “Freezing,” Layne said.

  “I can see your nipples.” Layne looked at his shirt, then laughed.

  “There’s a town up ahead. Looks small. We should see if we can find a map. And maybe a clothing store.”

  Garrett looked up the road. It was hard to see, but the moonlight was just enough to make out the vague shapes of buildings.

  “It’s pitch black,” Katie said from the other side of the car, “the power is probably out in the whole town. It’s probably dangerous.”

  “Maybe just a few of us should go into town, for now,” Garrett said. “Sneak in, get some supplies, and then head back here and stay the night. I think most of us could use some rest, anyway.”

  “I don’t know,” Layne said. “Whoever’s left out here may be sitting ducks.”

  “They’re probably safer out here than in town,” Katie said. “Nothing is going to come snooping around two more parked cars, especially in a town this small. Hell, if there aren’t too many zombies around, maybe we can even find a place to stay down there. I’d kill for a warm bed right now.”

  “Okay. We’ll send some people out to scout. I’ll go.”

  “You sure, man?” Garrett asked. “You look tired.”

  “I’ll be fine. How about you?”

  “I think I’ll sit this one out. I’ll try to keep the people back here safe.”

  “All right. Turn off the lights and lock the doors. Wait for me to come back. Have any guns?”

  “We have a nine. Maybe twelve bullets, tops.”

  “Then don’t waste them.”

  Garrett nodded, then got back into the car. The lights went out, and Layne heard the doors lock. He leaned back into the minivan and turned off the lights, then turned to the others.

  “I’m going into town to get supplies. Does anyone need anything?”

  “I’d like a number 12, extra pickles, no onions, and can I get that in a supersize?” Dex said. Lacie giggled.

  “No, you can’t,” Layne said, as seriously as he could. Lacie stopped laughing, and the smile faded from Dex’s face. “They don’t do supersize anymore.” Dex laughed.

  “We’re getting some dry clothes, if we can,” Katie said.

  “Shopping spree!” Lacie said.

  “You’re all waiting here,” Layne replied.

  “Ah, man!” Dex said. “I hate it when people buy me clothes. They never get anything I like.”

  “I’ll try to keep your tastes in mind, Dex.”

  Katie fished around in the glove box and found a pen and some paper.

  “Okay, what are everyone’s sizes?”

  “Are you going, too?” Layne asked.

  “Of course,” Katie said. “I’m not going to let you have all the fun.”

  Katie took down everyone’s sizes, then went to the other car to do the same. Layne remained with the others. He tapped lightly on the roof as he leaned against the car.

  “Guys, I’m not going to promise anything, but if this town seems safe enough, and if we can find a place to stay, we’ll do it. But I think we’re probably going to end up sleeping in here, tonight.” A collective groan followed.

  Katie returned to the minivan, pocketing the pen and paper.

  “We’re also going to get a map and see if we can’t figure out where the hell we are,” Layne said. “Don’t wait up for us, okay? Lock the doors, keep the lights off, and stay safe. Kyle, do you have a gun?”

  “I have a shotgun. Not many shells.”

  “Sit in the middle, and keep these guys safe, okay?”

  “Aye-aye,” Kyle said. He unbuckled himself and moved to the middle row with his shotgun. To their dismay, he plopped down between Dex and Lacie, smiled to them both, and made himself comfortable.

  “We’ll be back soon, I hope,” Layne said. “Try to get some rest, and stay warm.”

  “We’ll huddle together like water buffalo,” Dex said.

  Layne shut the door, and he and Katie headed toward the town.

  ****

  “How many bullets do you have?” Layne asked.

  “Not many,” Katie said. “We should see if there are any weapons around here.”

  “Good idea. Maybe we should do that first. Just in case.”

  They reached a welcome sign that identified the town as Naselle, Washington. The place was sparse, with only a few houses spread widely apart. The first corner Layne and Katie came to held a supermarket and a liquor store.

  “Well, I guess we’re in for some luck,” Katie said.

  The two entered the supermarket. It was dark inside, but they couldn’t hear anything moving around. Layne found some flashlights on a register endcap. He opened one up and turned it on. He tossed another flashlight to Katie.

  “Thanks,” she said. They looked around the store.

  “This place must be the only shop in town,” Layne said. “They have clothes and guns, here.”

  “That probably means it’s the only town for a while, too,” Katie said. “I’ll get started with the clothes. You find us some bags and weapons.”

  Layne found a duffel bag easily, but most of the guns and ammo were gone. There was a shotgun, a few handguns, and a small amount of ammunition. He put it all into the duffel bag, loaded a handgun and tucked it into his pants, then grabbed some food.

  Katie met him at the front of the store.

  “There wasn’t much for style, but it’ll keep them warm,” she said. “I got some blankets, too.”

  “Great, now we can get the hell out of here before something shows up.”

  “Just a second. Mind if I change here? I’m tired of these clothes.”

  “Yeah, good idea, I think I’ll do the same,” Layne said. Katie handed him some dry clothes. He walked a few feet away and turned off his flashlight.

  “Even after all of this, you’re modest,” Katie said from somewhere in the darkness. “I wish none of this ever happened, but I’m really glad to be with you, through it.”

  “Me too,” Layne said. He took off his shirt, and felt a tug of resistance from his right hand. He looked down, and remembered Alex’s bracelet. Layne closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  Hope perseveres.

  He left the bracelet on, and continu
ed changing.

  “I’m done,” Layne said into the darkness.

  “Just a sec,” Katie said. He heard her shuffling around. “Okay, go ahead and turn on the light.”

  Layne turned his flashlight on and saw Katie putting her wet clothes into a bag she’d found. A zombie stood behind her.

  “Shit, stay down!” Layne said. He grabbed his gun from the ground and aimed. Katie ducked and put her hands over her head. The zombie lurched forward, and Layne shot it in the chest. It stumbled backward, moaned, and then Layne shot it in the head. It fell to the ground.

  Layne hurried over to Katie, who was getting up. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Katie said. “But hey, here I was thinking I’d have clothes with no blood on them for a few hours.” She stared at the splatter on her shirt.

  “Sorry,” Layne said. Katie hugged him.

  “Don’t be sorry, Layne. Thanks.” She let him go.

  “Want to find something different real quick?”

  “Nah. It’s only a matter of time anyway.” She handed him the bag containing her wet clothes. “Put your old stuff in here, and let’s go.”

  ****

  Katie and Layne walked to the corner and looked down the nearby roads. They didn’t see any place that looked big enough for them all to sleep, and after their encounter in the store, they didn’t want to investigate much further.

  “Well, I guess we’ll be camping out in the van,” Katie said.

  “Want to stop by the liquor store?” Layne asked.

  “I don’t think being drunk is a good idea, under these circumstances. But God, would I love a drink.”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of cleaning wounds and homemade explosives,” Layne said. Katie blushed.

  “Okay, I guess we can grab a few bottles.”

  They made a quick trip to the liquor shop, got what they needed with no trouble, and then headed back down the road. It was dark, and to keep from being seen, Layne only turned the flashlight on every few minutes to make sure they were still following the road.

  Layne did a random check with the flashlight and almost walked directly into the front of the van. He went to the side door and knocked. The door unlocked, and Kyle opened it.

  “Welcome home, Dad,” Kyle said. The survivors had folded down all of the seats and were lying down on the flat, open floor.

  “We brought you presents,” Layne said.

  Katie opened the bag of clothes and started handing them out. She gave Dex his shirt, and he unfolded it and looked at it.

  “Ah, man! Pink? You did this on purpose.”

  “I did,” Katie said. “I think you’ll look simply dashing in pink.”

  “I think I’ll look simply stupid, but at least it’s dry.”

  “Come on, Dex,” Lacie said. “It’s not so bad. Maybe you should get in touch with your feminine side.”

  Dex faked a laugh, then glared at Lacie. He took off his pants.

  “Whoa, hey! There are ladies present,” Ralph said.

  “Yeah, pervert,” Lacie said.

  “Well, where do you want me to change?”

  A few minutes later, all of the girls from both cars were inside the minivan, and the men were changing outside, in the middle of the road.

  “This is some bullshit, right here,” Dex said as he slipped his pants on. “I can see my breath. It’s fucking freezing out here.”

  “Then it’s a good thing we brought you dry clothes,” Layne said. He was leaning against the hood, staring up at the sky.

  “I can’t see a damn thing,” Garrett said. “I think my pants are on backwards.”

  “I think mine are on sideways,” Kyle said.

  “Maybe that’s your shirt,” Ralph said.

  “Hard to say. I can’t see two inches in front of my face.”

  “Then now’s the perfect time to get with your girlfriend,” Dex said. The others laughed.

  “Dex, I’d punch you in the fucking face, if I could find you.”

  “Keep it down, guys,” Layne said.

  “Yeah, I’m a little creeped out,” Ralph said. “I don’t feel safe out here, how much longer do you think the girls will be in there?”

  “They’ll tell us when they’re done,” Layne said. Soon the side door of the van clicked, and then it opened.

  “You guys ready, yet?” Katie asked.

  “We’ve been waiting, actually,” Dex said. He started to crawl into the van.

  “Not so fast.”

  “What?”

  “Jessi and Kara are in here now, and Kara’s already asleep. We’re going to have to do some re-arranging. I don’t think we’ll all fit in here.”

  “Oh, this just keeps getting better!” Dex said. He kicked the tire of the van, then crossed his arms.

  “Don’t be a baby,” Lacie said. “You’ll be fine in the other car.”

  “Well, we can’t all fit in the other car.”

  “Nope. Just you, Garrett, Layne, Ralph, and Kyle.”

  “What! What about Warren?” Dex said.

  “He can sleep here in the driver’s seat,” Katie said.

  “This is bogus. I hate you guys.”

  “We love you too, Dex,” Lacie said.

  The five men walked to the other car and situated themselves inside.

  “Sorry I couldn’t find us a house, or something,” Layne said.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Dex replied. “It’s so comfortable in here. Who’d want to sleep in a bed?”

  “You’re awful whiny tonight, Dex.”

  “I joke. Hey, at least with us separate, we don’t have to watch our language, and we can have some of that whiskey I saw you bring back.”

  “It’s not for drinking, it’s for Molotov cocktails,” Layne said.

  Dex sat up. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No?”

  “That’s a horrible idea!” Layne raised his eyebrow, even though Dex couldn’t see it. “Look, Layne, the only thing worse than a bunch of zombies running at you is a bunch of flaming zombies running at you.”

  Layne was beginning to re-think his entire cocktail idea.

  “Maybe not,” Garrett said. “Remember the church and the bridge? These zombies seem to be attracted to fire.”

  “Yeah, it’s weird,” Ralph said. “I also noticed they learned what pain is.” The others looked at him. “No, really. In the beginning, nothing fazed them. They just kept on coming, like a bunch of human freight trains. Nothing stopped them. Now, though, they react to it, they… they scream when they get hurt, and stuff. It creeps me out.”

  “He’s right,” Kyle said.

  “Maybe your cocktails will work after all,” Garrett said. “If fire really does attract these things, we can use it to divert them. Throw one into a clear area, and they’ll all flock to it.”

  “Not a bad idea,” Kyle said. Dex slouched.

  “And I was looking forward to drinking it, too.”

  “You’re just cranky because you’re tired,” Layne said. “Maybe we should all try to get some sleep.”

  “That’s something we can all agree on,” Garrett replied. He shifted in the passenger seat and drew his blanket over him.

  There was a quiet murmuring, like someone whispering. Layne sat up, and saw Ralph was still sitting up in his seat.

  “What’s up?” Layne said.

  Ralph continued for a moment, then stopped. “Praying.”

  “Oh, my bad.”

  “Dork,” Dex said.

  “We’ll see who’s the dork at the End of Days, Dex,” Ralph said.

  Kyle laughed. “If this isn’t already the End of Days, I think I’ve got something to look forward to.”

  “Guys, go to sleep,” Layne said. He didn’t think he could stomach an argument. He just wanted to rest.

  “Sure thing, Dad,” Dex said. After a few minutes, the car was silent.

  ****

  The cars pulled up outside of Naselle Public Library and idled. It felt
far too early, and the sky was just starting to get lighter. There were only a few zombies around.

  “There’s probably a map in there,” Layne said.

  “Want me to get it?” Katie asked. “You’re driving, and all. And it’s a library, so it’s probably empty.”

  “It’s dangerous.”

  “Everything’s dangerous.” Katie grabbed a handgun and got out of the minivan.

  It was dark in the library. Katie tried to shut the door quietly, letting go of the handle just two inches from the frame. The door still made a loud thud! when it shut, and it echoed through the large room. Katie flinched. She heard some shuffling on the top floor.

  “Okay, map.” Katie turned to the reception counter and saw pamphlets in a small rack on top of it. One of the rows contained a Washington state map. She headed over, grabbed one, and opened it. She found Naselle, and followed the roads to Seattle with her finger.

  Katie closed her eyes. She had been to Seattle a few times, and she loved it. It rained a lot, and she loved the rain. But she mostly loved it because Keely lived there.

  She had met Keely a few years earlier, on a photography trip. Her agency had sent her to take pictures of the city, and had paired her up with a local employee. The two hit it off well, and things had taken off from there. Since then, Katie had taken every chance she got to go to Seattle and spend time with Keely. Katie had been saving money to move to Seattle for good, and when she had some time off and some extra money, she booked the first flight to Seattle she could find.

  Unfortunately, the flight never made it.

  Katie sighed. She knew the odds of Keely being alive were slim, but she had hope. Keely was small, but she lived alone. And she was smart, and strong for her size. Katie could only pray that Keely was all right.

  “Uhhhh.”

  A zombie was shuffling around a few feet away, eyeing her to see if she was food, or another zombie. Upon seeing her turn, it started toward her.

  Katie reached for her gun, but the zombie arrived too quickly, arms outstretched, mouth open. It clenched its fist, hoping to get hold of skin or clothes or hair, but instead grabbed the map, ripping a huge tear into it. Katie grabbed the zombie and used its own momentum to shove it as hard as she could past her, toward the reception counter. The zombie slid over the counter and onto the floor behind it, knocking over a stack of books, the reception bell, and the rack of pamphlets and maps.