In the Lone and Level Sands

by David Lovato

  “Daddy! No! Let’s go! Please!”

  “It’s okay! Just stay down!”

  The others fired at the zombies as they entered. Evan returned to help. When the flow of zombies slowed enough, Aimes shut the hallway door, then went to the control booth and opened the dock door. The sun was setting, and zombies outside headed for the new entrance.

  “All of you get inside,” Aimes said. “The keys are on a hook above the driver’s seat.”

  “How are you going to get out?” Evan asked.

  “I’ll take the other Humvee as soon as I make sure you all get out safely.”

  “Thank you, Matt.” Evan reached out with his right hand. Aimes took it, and they shook. “It was nice meeting you. I wish you the best of luck finding your wife.”

  “Thank you, and you make sure to take care of yours, and your daughter.”

  “Will do.”

  “Now go!”

  Evan took the driver’s seat, and Cynthia rode next to him. Mal was in the next row, on Daisy’s lap. Jason sat to one side of her, and Stephanie sat on the other. They buckled up, and Evan started the engine. Aimes continued to fire at the zombies, and he smiled as the Humvee drove off.

  Aimes rushed to the other Humvee, got in, and started its engine. He put it in drive and pounded the gas, driving out of Fort Knox, crushing any zombies that crossed his path.

  ****

  “Evan,” Cynthia said after they’d driven along U.S. Route 31W for a little while. The sun was nearly gone by then.

  “What is it, honey?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “What? What are you sorry for?”

  “I should have told you right away.” Cynthia held up her leg and showed him a wound. It was fresh, and looked like a set of bite marks.

  “Oh my… God. No.” Evan stopped the Humvee by the side of the road.

  “What?” Mal said. “Mommy, are you hurt?”

  “I’m okay, honey, it’s just a small bite.”

  “You were bitten?” Daisy said, confused and angry.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” Evan asked.

  “There wasn’t time. If I’d stopped to tell you, we’d all be dead.”

  “Well, we’ve gotta do something, then,” Jason said. He sat forward.

  Evan glared at him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It… Nothing. But, she just… I don’t want any more of us to—”

  “To what? She’s not a sick dog! There won’t be any damn problem, because we’re going to get her somewhere that’ll treat her, fix her, reverse it, whatever! Maybe it won’t even affect her, it’s such a small bite.”

  “Evan, I know how you must feel,” Daisy said. “I don’t know what we should do.”

  “Well, we’re not killing her, and we’re not leaving her behind!”

  “I didn’t say any of that, Evan. You’re forgetting that she’s also my best friend.” A tear went down Daisy’s cheek. “I know it’s hard for you, but it’s something we both need to accept.”

  “That what? She’s a goner! Hell no!”

  Mal was sobbing, but Daisy hugged her, trying to soothe her pain. Tears ran down Daisy’s cheeks as well.

  “If we take her with us, she’ll turn, Evan!” Jason said. “Your daughter, do you want to risk her life?”

  Cynthia grabbed Evan’s arm. He jumped so hard, he nearly bumped his head on the roof of the Humvee.

  “Evan.”

  “Shit! I thought you…”

  “No, but I don’t know how long,” Cynthia said. “But I think we need to do something. Think about Mal, now. Do you want her to see that?”

  “No, but—”

  “Look at her, Evan. You’re making it worse for her, and for what? There’s nothing you can do to change this. You know that.”

  “I-I can’t accept that. I can’t do it.”

  “Honey, I’m going to get some fresh air. I don’t want to be a danger to any of you.” Cynthia unbuckled herself, opened her door and exited, then walked to the back door. Stephanie moved out of the way, and Mal broke from Daisy and latched onto Cynthia.

  “I love you so much, Mallorie.”

  “I love you too, Mommy!” Mal sobbed in her mother’s shoulder for a minute, and then Cynthia pulled back.

  “Your father and I are going to talk for a bit. I need you to stay with Daisy.” She looked to her friend, who nodded.

  “It’ll be okay, right?” Mal said. Cynthia and Daisy hugged.

  “It’ll be just fine,” Cynthia said. She leaned over and whispered in Daisy’s ear. When she was done, Daisy nodded. Cynthia looked at Jason and Stephanie. She smiled at them and waved. They met her gaze, wishing it didn’t have to be this way.

  Evan got out of his seat and put his pistol in the back of his pants, hiding the handle with his shirt. As he walked around the front of the Humvee, he said to himself, “I can’t. I can’t.”

  He met up with Cynthia. They walked away, moving somewhere the others couldn’t see them.

  “I love you, Evan,” Cynthia said. “I wish it didn’t have to be like this. When we just put all the shit to rest between us.”

  “I’m not prepared for this,” Evan said.

  “I don’t think anyone could ever be prepared for this, but you’re going to have to do something. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “I’m already hurt.”

  “Hey, do you remember our honeymoon?” Cynthia asked. “When you fell off the Jet Ski, and plopped right into the water?” She laughed. Evan couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t funny at the time, but he laughed now.

  “I remember you sure got a kick out of it,” he said. “It was your laugh that first drew me in, you know. On our first date, when you ordered a sundae for dessert, and dropped the whole thing in your lap. You laughed so hard at what should’ve been frustrating… I loved you from that moment.”

  Cynthia smiled. A tear ran down Evan’s cheek. Cynthia leaned forward and set a gentle hand on his face, rubbing the tear away. They joined in a hug for a moment, and kissed.

  When they separated, he looked into her eyes. Cynthia blinked, and her arms dropped to her sides. Her eyes were confused then, wider. Her lips curled, and she leaned forward an inch, lifting a hand. It grabbed Evan’s wrist. More tears came down his face.

  “I love you so much,” he said as he pressed the gun to his wife’s head. He pulled the trigger, and she was gone. Her body crumpled to the ground. Evan dropped to his knees. The gun clattered on the pavement, and he covered his face.

  He wept.

  ****

  The survivors had been driving for a little under an hour. Evan was in a sad trance as he drove, watching the little yellow lines in the headlights. Mal sat next to him in the front, asleep, exhausted from all the tears.

  The silence was interrupted when a voice came over the Humvee’s transceiver. It was broken up, only a word or two. Then, the silence shattered. “Is anyone there? Hello?”

  Evan perked up, and turned back to Daisy as he drove. “D-did you hear what I heard?”

  “Someone on the radio?” Daisy sat forward. “Is it really back?”

  “Hello? Anyone out there? If so, there’s a safe—” Evan grabbed the microphone and held the button to speak.

  “Hello? Is this really working?” Evan pulled the Humvee over while he waited for a response.

  “Hey! We’ve got someone!”

  “Yes! Where are you located? We’re—”

  “Wait,” another voice said. “That voice… It sounds pretty damn familiar! Evan? Please tell me I’m not imagining this shit!”

  “Larry?” Evan said. “Yeah, Larry! It’s me! Oh my God!” Mal looked at her father, rubbing her eyes.

  “Well fuck me sideways! I can’t believe you’re still okay!” Larry said. “Damn, that’s great! How’s the family?”

  “It’s just me and Mal, and some friends,” Evan said. “How are you? Where are you?”

  “Oh… Damn, I can’t tell you how sorr
y that makes me. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll be okay.”

  “Well, I’ll let my buddy Stewart fill you in on our location. Where are you?”

  “We left Fort Knox almost two hours ago. We’re headed north, so I’m betting we’re somewhere in Indiana.”

  “You were at Fort Knox?”

  “Yeah. It got overrun. Where are you? A safe zone?”

  “Yeah. Safer than being out and about, that’s for sure.”

  “I could go for safer,” Evan said.

  “Well, good,” Larry replied. “Anyway, here’s Stewart. He’ll tell you how to get here.” Evan nodded. There was silence, and then Stewart spoke.

  “Okay, we’re in a city called Greensburg, in Indiana. Do you have GPS?”

  “Yeah, looks like it.”

  “Good.” Stewart gave him a street address. “We’re in King Public Library. It’s on the edge of town, and it’s huge! You can’t miss it. The flag in front flies. You should see that, first thing.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Evan said.

  “No problem, just get here safely,” Stewart replied.

  “See you when you get here, buddy!” Larry said.

  “You too!”

  Evan turned to Mal. She was dozing in and out, but she managed a smile.

  “So, we’ll be okay?” she said.

  “Yes, Mal,” Evan replied. “You know Larry. He’s got a safe place for us. We’ll be there soon, sweetie. For now, why don’t you try to get back to sleep.” Silently, she rested against the door, curled up, and closed her eyes. “I love you, Mal.”

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  Daisy sat forward. “Looks like we’ve got a little good luck.”

  “Looks like it.” Evan smiled slightly, and turned to Jason and Stephanie, who looked as exhausted as Mal. “Are you guys ready?”

  “I just want to apologize for earlier,” Jason said. “It wasn’t right of me—”

  “Don’t. Please, not now. Right now, you just get some rest, and we’ll be in Greensburg soon.”

  “Okay.” Jason turned to Stephanie. She tried to crack a smile, found it wasn’t working, and turned away.

  Evan drove the Humvee down the road, avoiding the somewhat common stopped car or zombie. His thoughts wandered to his deceased wife, but he swore to himself not to let that overcome him. He had too much to live for, to fight for.

  He wasn’t sure if King Public Library would end up safer than Fort Knox, but he shifted his thoughts back to the people he loved. He was with them for now, and while part of him had died on United States Route 31W, the rest had to carry the others to safety. The rest had to go on.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  66

  On the Road to California

  Zoe and Derrick shared the same bed, down the hall in one of the bedrooms, out of the way. They had no blanket, as the summer heat was permeating the house. Derrick lay on one side of the bed, his arm around Zoe, resting on the shotgun beyond her on the other side of the bed.

  Zoe woke up first. Her eyes were blurred, but she didn’t move her hands to clear them. In the morning haze she could see shapes. One was near the door of the room. It seemed foreign, like it didn’t belong there. When it moved, Zoe knew for sure.

  She blinked many times, trying to clear her eyes, afraid to move. The thing near the door didn’t seem to have noticed her and Derrick. She wondered how it had gotten into the house, thinking for a moment she might even be dreaming, but passed this off quickly. She wished Derrick would wake up.

  Finally, her eyes cleared up, and she got a good look. There was a zombie standing near the door. He was facing into the hall, his back turned to the bed.

  Then, almost as though Zoe had willed it into being, Derrick opened his eyes.

  “Shh,” Zoe said. She motioned with her eyes the best she could, then whispered, “There’s a zombie over there.”

  Derrick’s grip tightened on the shotgun, and he rolled over, took a moment to spot the thing (which turned and spotted him, too), and then pulled the trigger.

  ****

  They found a car they could plug Derrick’s MP3 player into, and after a few hours of The Pillows and Thursday and Flobots, and after I-80 turned into I-76, they reached Denver. Even the side roads were crowded with cars, and occasionally, they had to slow to speeds that the zombies could match (during which Derrick would drive and Zoe would shoot). It took much of the day to cross Colorado, and the sun was setting when they reached the small town of Clifton.

  The town was trapped by mountains. The cars on the roads leading in and out suggested that much of it had been vacated, or at least some attempt had been made by many of its citizens.

  Derrick pulled into the driveway of a house that was close to the edge of town, with a big, wooded area sprawling behind it.

  “This one should be safe enough,” he said. They grabbed their things and headed for the door.

  It wasn’t locked, and a quick glance showed no signs of zombies. Zoe locked the front door behind her, and she and Derrick began a more thorough check. The main rooms were clear, so they moved to the basement.

  When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Zoe tried the lights. To her surprise, the place still had power. The light came on, and to Zoe’s right was a zombie. It stood there, eyes vacant, mouth agape, arms at its sides. Derrick raised his shotgun and fired.

  Most of the zombie’s head came off, but rather than a splatter of blood and brains, there were just a few holes torn into it, and brown flecks shot backward before falling to the ground. The zombie tipped over and fell, resting perfectly flat on the ground. It was a cardboard cut-out.

  “Jesus,” Derrick said. “That scared the shit out of me.”

  “Look at this place,” Zoe said. There were zombie posters lining the walls, plush zombies on shelves, a stack of zombie movies on a table before a TV.

  “Good night,” Derrick said.

  “Check this out.” Zoe walked to a nearby wall. A cabinet hung from it, and behind its glass face was a shotgun. The paint on the glass read “In case of Zombies, break the glass.”

  “Haha. How ironic.”

  Zoe looked at the case, and suddenly felt very sad. She took her gun in her hand and slammed it against the glass, breaking it. Derrick looked at her. “I don’t know. It felt like the right thing to do.”

  They headed upstairs to check the bedrooms. The first two were clear; one had a mostly unpacked suitcase on the bed, but otherwise looked unused. They entered the master bedroom, and Zoe let out a shout.

  A large splatter of blood stained the wall. It had dried long before, and there was no body, no sign of what had caused it. Unlike the wall, the floor appeared to have been scrubbed clean, and the only thing upon it was a stack of notebook paper. Zoe bent and picked it up, read the words scrawled across the cover:

  The River: The Story of My Brother

  “It’s a book,” Zoe said.

  “We should take it,” Derrick replied. “Read it along the way.”

  Zoe thought for a moment, then shook her head. “No. We should read it, and leave it here.”

  “Okay. In any case, it looks like this place is clear. I’ll make dinner.”

  “All right. I’m going to read it. It’s not very long.”

  “Cool.” Derrick went to the kitchen, and Zoe sat down in the living room with the notebook paper in her hands.

  ****

  They left the next afternoon, so Zoe would have time to finish reading and put the book back. The sun was shining, and the roads cleared up. After about an hour, it was only them, their music, and the seemingly infinite stretches of asphalt. They listened to “Time to Waste” and “Shake it Out” and “Jesus Christ”. Then Derrick turned the shuffle off and put on The Republic of Wolves. When “Pitch and Resin” began to play, she turned it up.

  “I like this one too,” Derrick said. “It should be our song.”

  Zoe almost asked if two people who weren’t dating could have “a song” b
ut instead just listened.

  After a few hours, Derrick said, “We should reach California the day after tomorrow. I’m starting to feel like that’s too long.”

  “Hey,” Zoe said. Derrick looked at her, peeling his eyes from the road for the first time in miles. “It’ll be okay, all right?”

  “…Yeah,” Derrick said. He returned his eyes to the road. “Yeah.”

  ****

  The next few hundred miles were as quiet as they were uneventful. They took turns driving, slept in the car somewhere on I-15, and then stopped for a map once they reached San Bernardino. After that, they made for Sacramento, where Mara’s apartment was waiting.

  The streets of Sacramento were eerily vacant. Zoe and Derrick stayed mostly on back roads, with Derrick driving, as he’d been there before and knew the areas that would be less busy. Finally, Derrick killed the engine across the street from a tall, brown apartment building. There were a few zombies on the street and sidewalks.

  “You ready for this?” Zoe asked.

  “Yeah,” Derrick said. “I think so.”

  “We just have to go in, get Mara, and head back out here.”

  “Yeah. What if… What if she’s dead?”

  Zoe loaded her gun. “She isn’t.”

  Derrick grabbed her arm. “But what if she is?”

  Zoe sighed. “Then we’ll have no choice but to get out of here.” Derrick looked at the floor. “But it won’t come to that.” Zoe cocked her gun and opened her door, hoping that the sudden rush would snap Derrick out of it. He grabbed his bag and his gun and also got out of the car.

  The nearby zombies took notice. There were less than a dozen of them, and even though they were faster than they had been before, they weren’t much of a threat compared to the guns Zoe and Derrick carried. The two entered the building.