Day Beyond the Dead (Book 1)

by Dawn, Christina

  “Well then where is she?”

  “She’s dead.”

  Anna gasped and stopped playing with her dolls, “Oh no! What happened??”

  It was painstaking for Christa to recalls such facts. “She ran off. That’s why I stress the importance of you always listening and staying put. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”

  “How did running off get her dead? Did someone kill her?”

  “One of those walking undead killed her. It was her grandparents so I figured she got too close to them which is why she got bit. I should have never let her out of my sight. It’s all my fault really. I wasn’t watching her and I should have been.”

  Anna put her hand on top of Christa’s hand, “Sometimes bad things happen. Remember what you told me the first day I met you? There are bad people and things in this world. It’s not your fault Christa. You are a great mommy. I’m sure Bree knew that. If I didn’t have a mommy I’d want you to be my mommy.” Anna’s face grew sullen. “I’m starting to think my mommy isn’t coming for me. Then I won’t have a mommy.”

  Christa put her hand on the side of Anna’s face, “Don’t say that. You don’t know for sure. You always have to keep hope alive. This might be a treacherous world but there are still good things in it.”

  Anna sat up on her knees and put her little hands on each side of Christa’s face. “I know. You found me didn’t you?” Anna put her arms around Christa’s neck and hugged her.

  “I sure did babygirl. I sure did.”

  Just then the doors to the restaurant opened up and Damion waved them in. Christa got out of the truck and helped Anna down. As they walked through the door Christa saw an upscale restaurant which was not what she expected from the outside view.

  “Wow. This place is nice. I totally didn’t expect this from the outside appearance.”

  “I know right,” Darren replied.

  “Is there anything here food wise?” Christa asked.

  “They aren’t stocked full but they do have some food and drinks. Enough for us and that’s all that matters,” Damion said as he strolled out of the back with some steaks in his hand which he threw down next to the grill.

  “Oh dear God, Steaks!? I might just die and go to heaven tonight,” Darren exclaimed.

  Christa laughed, “So I guess that beats Funyuns huh?”

  “They aren’t even in the same league. Hell yes!”

  Damion fired up the grill and cooked the steaks. After everyone had eaten they sat there for a few enjoying their drinks and discussing where to go next.

  “We’re gonna need to find some place we can hold up in. You know so we have some semblance of a life. We can’t just keep driving around every day. That is going to wear on all of us, especially poor Anna. I’m going a little stir crazy myself personally.”

  “I agree with Christa, but where would there be such a place? I mean we always have the option of building a place too, but obviously it’d have to be somewhere we wouldn’t have to worry about walking corpses jeopardizing the work site. That’s all we’d need,” said Gerard.

  “Oh my gosh,” Christa ran off for the bathroom clutching her mouth.

  Damion ran off after her, “Christa! Are you okay?!” Damion followed her into the bathroom where she disappeared into a stall. All he could hear next was her vomiting. He put his hand to the stall door, “Oh baby are you okay?” He could hear her getting sick again.

  “I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  “Ok. I’m not going anywhere. I remember the last time you were in a bathroom by yourself. I’m not about to make that same mistake twice.”

  Christa couldn’t explain the sudden stomach upset, but whatever it was came on strong and fast. She opened the bathroom stall and went to wash her face in the sink. Damion came up behind her and rubbed her back. After she washed her face and mouth out he felt her forehead.

  “Hmm, your head isn’t hot. Maybe something didn’t settle right on your stomach.”

  “Yeah maybe,” Christa’s face instantly got flush as something hit her all of a sudden.

  “What? What’s wrong?”

  Christa looked in Damion’s eyes with a sense of urgency and anxiousness, “I haven’t had my monthly in quite a while Damion. It’s not like we’ve been using any protection either.”

  A look of shock spread over Damion’s face, “Are you sure?”

  “Yes I am sure that I’ve skipped a period Damion. We’re going to have to stop at some sort of pharmacy or store so I can get a test.”

  “Talk about complicating things that are already complicated. Not that I’m saying it’s not a good thing I’m just saying that’s going to alter our plans greatly; and I have no idea what we are going to do about a doctor or a hospital. None of us guys have delivered a baby. I mean what if there are complications or something happens to you-“

  “-Damion, Damion! Baby calm down. Let’s find out for sure before we go off on a tirade about anything else. Ok?”

  Damion went over to Christa and held her. “Whatever it says, we’ll be together through it all. That’s all that matters.” He places a kiss on her forehead and walks back to the table with her.

  Gerard had a look of concern on his face, “Are you okay Christa?”

  “Yes I’m fine. My stomach is just upset a little bit but I’ll be fine.”

  Christa didn’t want to tell anyone until her and Damion knew for sure. She couldn’t help but wonder about all the worries that Damion had. It was easy to tell him to not worry but harder for her not to let those worries take over her own mind. Having a baby is a big thing, let alone in a world where zombies flourish and doctors are scarce if not extinct.

  “Let’s head out. We need to stop at a pharmacy or a store really quick.”

  Gerard was confused, “Why?”

  Damion went to open his mouth but Christa spoke before he could, “Women stuff Gerard. You really wanna know?”

  “That’s ok. I’ll take your word on it.”

  “I didn’t think you wanted to know.” She took Anna’s hand and headed to the truck. Sitting there she couldn’t help but wonder why anyone would want to bring a baby into this kind of world. How would she raise a baby in this kind of world? A million thoughts were swirling around her head. She couldn’t help but be scared. She broke from her train of thought when Damion opened the truck door.

  “You feeling ok?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good. We’re going to go to the first store we see. You and I will go in. No since in all of us going in and besides that will eliminate anyone from seeing what you’re getting.”

  Sounded good to her. She just wanted to know as soon as possible. She wasn’t sure if the not knowing was stressing her out more than the actual thought of being pregnant. She would soon find out though.

  The first store they ran across was down the road a ways from the restaurant. It was a Walgreens. They pulled in the parking lot which seemed to be undead free. Gerard and Darren got out of their truck as soon as Damion and Christa got out. Christa gave a look to Damion, then turned to address Gerard and Darren, “Can you guys stay out here and watch Anna? I will be right out.”

  “Why don’t we all go in just incase,” Gerard asked.

  “Well I would feel safer if someone was watching Anna. Please?”

  “Sure, we’ll stay out here.”

  “Thanks Gerard.”

  “No problem.”

  Damion and Christa went inside the store cautiously which was very quiet. “Which section would that be in Christa? I have no idea.”

  Christa smirked, “In the feminine section. It will be where the tampons, pads, douches are and etc.”

  “Ah, ok.” They walked down the end of the aisles so they could see down each one individually. When they got to the aisle they walked down it slowly.

  “Here it is. I’m going to get a couple just incase. It wouldn’t hurt. I guess we could get anything else while we’re here.”

  “No m
ore black licorice. Last time you got some of that you got a child as well.”

  “Oh really,” Christa held up the pregnancy test, “Maybe that’s a sign.”

  “I’m starting to think it is.”

  All of a sudden Gerard starts to run down the aisle towards them. “I don’t mean to interrupt but there is a small herd of them coming this way so I think we should hurry up as fast as we can. It’s not a tremendous number but it’s enough you wouldn’t want to be caught in this store with them.” Gerard notices the pregnancy tests in Christa’s hand. “Whoa Christa…..seriously? Are you pregnant!?”

  She could see the concern and shock in Gerard’s eyes, “No, I mean I don’t know, hence the pregnancy test. Don’t say anything until I know for sure, ok?”

  “I won’t. We better get out of here. Last time I checked they were three blocks down and as far as I know they are still headed this way.”

  Christa grabbed her stuff, put it in a bag and ran for the door. Damion paused as he waited for Christa at the door. “Christa please hurry.” As soon as she got to the door she was stunned to see that the herd was in the parking lot and closing distance fast, so fast she couldn’t risk getting in the truck on her side. She ran over to the driver’s side door with Damion and climbed into the truck trailed by Damion who shut the door behind them. They started up the trucks and drove off.

  “We really need to find a place Damion. I’m talking about a long term place or at least somewhere we can stay for a while without worrying about running every other minute.”

  “I know and we will. I promise you we’ll find a place Christa. We won’t just be driving around forever. Especially if you’re pregnant.”

  There was a loud gasp from Anna as she put her hands to her cheeks in amazement. “Are you pregnant?! Ooo a baby! I like babies. Is it a boy or a girl? I rather it be a girl but I like both.”

  Well so much for no one knowing. Now that Anna knows the only one left to find out is Darren. I guess everyone will want to know the outcome of this test. “I don’t know sweetie. I guess we’ll find out though when I take this test.”

  “Test? You have to take a test?”

  “Mhmm.”

  “Wow, I hope you pass.”

  Christa and Damion started to laugh.

  “I’m sure she will pass,” Damion said with a smile as he glanced over at Christa. “She was always good with tests.”

  Christa shook her head.

  As the hours passed by the sun started to set. Christa watched it as it descended in the sky leaving shades of bright orange, pink, yellow and blue in its wake. Something as simple as the setting sun couldn’t be taken for granted anymore and she realized that which is why she was enjoying this one. It was hard to tell how many more setting suns were in your future.

  Damion looked over at Christa and knew she was lost in deep thought. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “What about tomorrow?”

  “Just wondering what it will bring. Will it be the same as today? Will it be worse? Will it be better? Will this ever end? What’s the point anymore?”

  “What do you mean what’s the point? The point is survival. The point is that we’re together.”

  “But what if I’m pregnant Damion? What kind of a world is this to bring a child in? She or he will never have a normal childhood. What if something happens? I couldn’t go through that again Damion. I just don’t have it in me.”

  “Christa, you’re overthinking all of this. Stop worrying so much. I mean we don’t even know if you’re pregnant anyhow and even if you are it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. We have survived thus far and we’ll continue to do so. Just as life before was our normal we’ll get use to this and adapt and yes overcome. I have faith because I knew we will. It’s who we are. There is no other option and we’ll do it side by side.” Damion takes her hand, “I love you. Never forget that.”

  “I know baby. I just wish this wasn’t our new normal. I live for a day beyond the dead. A time for the living. Whether I’m pregnant or not we’ll make it.” Christa watched the little bit of sun that was showing totally disappear from view as the stars came out gradually.

  “You know I still remember the night I told you I loved you. I thought for sure those words were going to scare you. But they didn’t. You put your arms around me, kissed my forehead, and then kissed me. I don’t know if I ever told you but it was in that moment I knew I would never truly be happy with anyone else but you. I was stupid to ever think otherwise.”

  “I put my arms around you and kissed you because I had loved you already by that time. In fact I had loved you for some time. I waited for you to say it first not because I was scared to say anything but because I knew deep down you had to know already because I showed it in multiple ways. Sometimes things don’t need to be said to be known. They can be felt.”

  Christa couldn’t help but lean over and kiss Damion softly on the cheek. “I’m the luckiest girl in the world. I might also be the only girl in the world as well, which does not take away from the fact that I’m the luckiest.” Damion laughed at that statement.

  “Well go to sleep lucky girl. I’ll wake you if we find a place to sleep for the night.”

  Christa yawned as she covered up, “You don’t have to tell me twice baby.”

  Chapter 14

  “Wake up Christa, wake up,” Damion was gently nudging Christa. “Wake up beautiful. I think we may have found a place. There was a sign a ways back about a military base not far from here. It would be a perfect place to hold up for a while and potentially longer. We’re going to check it out.”

  “Hmm, military base huh. That does sound like it has great potential. There should be weapons there, food, shelter, armored vehicles and plenty more. Well hopefully there will be. Can you pull over somewhere so I can use the restroom baby?” Christa takes out one of the pregnancy tests and puts it in her jacket pocket.

  They pull over and Christa gets out to use the restroom. After a short wait she returns to the truck with test in hand. “Now we just have to wait.” She holds the test in her hand trying not to stare at it. Running her fingers through her hair methodically in a nervous manner. Each second that passed felt like an hour. She didn’t know if the waiting or the not knowing was making her so anxious.

  “How long do we have to wait?” Damion was obviously just as anxious as she was.

  “Just a few minutes. Not too much longer baby I promise.”

  Christa sat there and glanced every few seconds at the test until she just couldn’t look anymore. She waited for a few minutes and then a few minutes longer. By that time she was scared to look at the results because it had been so long she knew it would say one way or the other. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and prepared to look. “Here goes nothing.” She opened her eyes and was speechless.

  “Well? Christa? What does it say?....Christa?”

  She turned to Damion with a straight face and started to slowly smile. “We’re having a baby Damion. Oh my God, we’re having a baby.” She said it twice as if to let it sink into her own head that they were having a baby. Damion was quiet though. He knew it was a possibility but he didn’t really think it was a possibility at the same time. He was wrong and he was coming to that realization in this moment. His face was emotionless for a few minutes before he spoke.

  “I never thought we would have any more kids. I really didn’t and now we’re having one in a zombie apocalypse. I’m not totally sure I feel about that part of it but I’m happy to create another little life with you Christa. There is no way I can be anything but happy about that. We’ll do what we have to you understand me. We’ll make it work.”

  “I know we will baby.” She wasn’t just saying this to say it either. She really truly felt that come what may they would make this work. Somehow.

  The days were wearing on them all by this time. The long days in the trucks and gas was getting low. That combination alone was forcing the
m to find a place they could stay for a while. It was getting harder and harder to find certain resources. Every once in a while they would find a gas station they could get gas from the reserves or the pumps were by some chance still able to work. This was an occurrence that happened less and less and they all knew it.

  They had discussed whether or not to head out west but the consensus was not to due to the lack of resources. The landscape wasn’t a desirable place for farming and that’s what the world had come down to. To survive you had to provide for yourself. They chose to stay in a more lush area that would prove more fruitful with crops when they chose to go that route.

  Christa saw a sign pass by and it gave her an inkling of hope. “Damion, Damion. Why don’t we look there? That could be perfect. If it’s not too run over with undead it could be the perfect place to go. There are a lot of areas that are barricaded, not to mention a lot of potential supplies. I’ve always thought that a military base was a great idea. I have no doubt we would have went sooner if we didn’t run into the situations we have. This is as good a time as any.”

  “I suppose we could take a look at it and see if it’s ok or not. It wouldn’t hurt and hopefully it’s not a bad situation because that would be ideal.”

  Christa dreaded the thoughts of the coming months if they were still on the road. How would she have to adjust due to being pregnant in a world overrun by zombies? Would she be able to find enough nourishment for her and her baby? Would being pregnant make it harder to get away from danger? She was hoping beyond hope that this military base would prove to be the place they could call home for a while.

  “There! I can see from here that that hotel looks like a great place to go for the evening. I have got to get out of this truck Damion and I’m sure the guys feel the same way.”

  Damion picks up the walkie talkie and radios back to the other truck, “We’re going to pull over here at this hotel and check it out. Christa is getting sick of being in the truck for so long and I’m sure we’d all love nothing more than to sleep in a bed for once.”

  “Oh my, tell her she read my mind. Tell her little D agrees with her.”