The zombie pulled itself closer. The sunken eyes and rotting skull dominated Caleb’s vision. He stared into the shriveled eyes, hoping to see his fate in the lifeless orbs. There was nothing but the darkness becoming thicker and more oppressive. The creature pulled itself closer. His vision blurred again, and Caleb closed his eyes. He had hoped to face his death without fear, but he had his limits. It was too much to watch himself being eaten alive. He held his breath and waited for the pain of teeth biting into his skin. It never came. Instead, a coldness pressed into his forehead and pressure wrapped around the back of his neck. Caleb’s eyes flew open. The zombie was right in front of him, touching its forehead to his in an intimate gesture of comfort.
Caleb let the scream erupt from his mouth. He pushed the creature with all his might and rolled to one side. Leaping to his feet, he realized he was no longer trapped beneath the vehicle, but darkness continued to surround him. The moon had vanished from the sky, along with the horde shuffling down the street. The creature reached for Caleb’s ankle. He took off running in the opposite direction, unsure of where he headed, but knowing he had to get away from the zombie.
His legs and lungs burned as fear, confusion, and repulsion drove him forward. The darkness lightened with every step he took until it was obvious he ran down a street. The moon shone brightly behind him, once again in the sky, illuminating his surroundings until he recognized the city. He slowed his pace and stared at the buildings. Dread iced his veins. It wasn’t safe in the city. It wasn’t safe anywhere. Caleb spun around, staring down the streets and peering into the shadows for danger. On the street before him stood a figure bathed in darkness. It almost looked like Caleb’s shadow, and it seemed connected to him, but instead of lying flat on the ground, it stood upright. The figure wasn’t as intangible as a shadow either. It had mass and power surrounding it. Caleb stared at it. Even without eyes, Caleb felt the shadow’s gaze on him, felt dominated by its presence. Caleb couldn’t resist whatever the figure wanted him to do—and he wouldn’t even try. The dark figure raised its arm and pointed. Caleb’s eyes followed the gesture to look upon a path leading out of the city. Caleb took off running.
CHAPTER 9
Caleb’s eyes opened slowly. He braced himself for the pain to wash through his body. A dull ache spread from his head to his feet, but it wasn’t as debilitating. It was surprising—and a bit concerning. How could a few hours have such an effect? After what Caleb had gone through, he didn’t expect to feel good. And comparatively speaking, that was how he felt.
Light penetrated his right eye, and then his left. After the tracers disappeared, his gaze focused on Doc.
“That’s it. Come on back now.” He folded his hands in his lap. “Do you know where you are?”
Caleb nodded. “A place called Sanctuary.”
“Do you know why you’re here?”
Caleb’s gaze found True and Venger standing behind Doc. “We were attacked on the road.”
“Who was attacked on the road?”
“Me and my … companion.”
The light flashed briefly into his eyes again. “Everything checks out for me. How are you feeling?”
Caleb leaned forward. “Better.”
“Better enough to get yourself cleaned up?”
The thought of a shower sounded amazing. He looked down at the dried blood on his clothes and imagined how much was caked in his hair and on his skin.
“Yeah. I’d like to try.”
“Okay. Venger will accompany you to make sure you’re safe.”
Caleb pushed his eyebrows together. “Like in the shower?”
Visions of gym class and the locker room at his old high school ran through his mind. Showering in an open area with his classmates had been awkward and uncomfortable, and he knew most of them. He couldn’t imagine how weird it would be with a stranger watching him.
Doc chuckled. “No. He’ll keep his distance.” He grabbed Caleb’s hand with the IV and removed the tubing and needle.
As Doc stood, Venger approached with a wheelchair. Delicately, Caleb swung his legs over the side of the bed and with help, made it into the seat. Again, he expected pain to wrack his body, but it never came. He sighed with relief.
“Why don’t you leave your shoes here? You’ll be back to get them after you’ve showered.” Venger spoke over Caleb’s shoulder.
Caleb slipped the shoes off his feet and let them clunk onto the floor near his bed. He couldn’t help but notice they no longer looked new. They were splattered with blood and dust, but they would still be able to perform. Caleb would still be able to run in them.
As Venger pushed him through the room, Caleb noticed Samuel was no longer across from him. A moment of curiosity passed through him, but he pushed it away.
No reason to worry about him. He only holds you back.
Caleb made it a point to take in his surroundings. After leaving the hospital room, they entered a hall. Sunlight spilled onto the white-tiled floor from high windows. Wooden doors with small windows were evenly spaced down the length. At the end of the hall was a metal door. Venger pushed Caleb toward it. Sunlight blinded and warmed Caleb as Venger pushed the wheelchair outside. When he could see, he was awed by the sight. Canyon walls rose above him on both sides and wound away from him into the distance. Nestled against the walls were more metal buildings of various sizes, along with some wooden structures possibly sheds or tiny houses. A thin layer of yellow dust covered everything. Venger pushed Caleb slowly down a pathway made of flattened rocks. The sand had drifted in piles in some of the cracks between the stones.
“I thought maybe some fresh air would help wake you up before you climbed into the shower,” Venger explained.
Caleb nodded. He wasn’t exactly in a position to argue. It wasn’t like he was going to jump out of the chair and run for it—even though he really wanted to do. Venger controlled where Caleb went which made him incredibly uncomfortable.
They continued down the path, winding their way farther into the canyon. The metal buildings became more widely spaced. Boxes and crates were stacked next to the canyon walls, along with a few vehicles here and there. Caleb eyed those cautiously, studying them but trying not to look like he studied them. He didn’t want to raise Venger’s suspicion.
Too conspicuous, the voice muttered softly. There are too many ways a vehicle can hinder your escape. It’s best to stay on your feet and get to the high ground where there are places to hide.
Caleb refocused his gaze in front of him. His discomfort grew. No other people were around; it was only Caleb and Venger.
They know. They figured it out while you slept. They are taking you to a prison.
Caleb’s mouth went dry, but his palms became slick. He wanted to ask Venger where they were going, but part of him really didn’t want to know. The other part was convinced Venger wouldn’t tell him. He sat in silence, waiting for whatever was going to happen next. He thought he should be more scared or concerned about not knowing what was happening, but he wasn’t. He wasn’t happy about the situation, but he couldn’t muster the energy to feel anything more than uncomfortable.
The buildings and supplies gave way to bare canyon walls. The pathway still existed and moved them toward their destination, which Caleb was sure would be a place he hated. Still, a peacefulness surrounded the area. It was quiet, and the sun was warm. Caleb enjoyed the brightness, but it wasn’t as comfortable as it had once been. As they wound their way through the area, parts of his dream came back to him, and he expected to see the shadow figure waiting for him around the next corner. He hoped it would be there, then maybe he could find a way out of this mess.
I can’t do everything for you. You have to figure some things out on your own. But when you do find the way out, run for it, and keep running.
As they rounded the next corner, Caleb’s eyes grew wide, and his jaw fell slightly open. Contrasted against the dull yellow and orange of the rocks and sand was dark green and sparkling blue. The sho
rt vegetation hugged the ground tightly to protect itself from the wind and sun. The stream of water was only as wide as Caleb’s body, but it held the promise of life in a vast, dry landscape. Venger pushed Caleb’s wheelchair to the edge of the vegetation near the canyon wall where the spring ran out of the rock face. Venger took a seat on a ledge next to Caleb and glanced around.
“This is the reason we are able to survive here. Every desert has an oasis to sustain life, a hope and a promise things can thrive, survive, and weather the harshest of conditions.” He turned to Caleb and gave him a small smile. “Sanctuary exists because of the hope and dedication of its people to make the world a better place. Even in the face of destruction and loss, there is a place in all of us striving for beauty.”
Caleb’s gaze drifted around the area again and took in the majesty. The water and vegetation seemed both out of place and completely natural. There was definitely a sense of hope to the place, which filled Caleb with an inexplicable sense of sadness.
“I like to come here to clear my head and find new perspectives on problems.”
Caleb turned his gaze to Venger. “And now you’re trying to figure out what’s up with me.”
Venger turned his head to squint at the oasis before him. “You certainly defy expectations and explanation.”
Caleb leaned back in his wheelchair and folded his hands in his lap. “I feel like there are way more mysteries about life and death after zombies rose than there ever had been before. And out of all of those, I’m the least of your worries.”
Venger nodded. “The world certainly is a different place and filled with a whole new set of hazards and threats.” He turned to Caleb. “But there are still some dangers from before we have to protect ourselves against.”
Caleb met Venger’s gaze and held it. He certainly wasn’t going to argue the point. He’d seen his share of those dangers and hazards firsthand. It was apparent, however, Venger saw Caleb as a threat. Caleb wasn’t going to argue with him. Maybe if he believed Caleb could hurt the people of Sanctuary, he’d let him out as soon as possible.
Or kill you. Can’t let you run off and tell the world their secrets.
“Not a lot of people know about this place, but that doesn’t mean we don’t accept those who are looking for a safe haven. We have to be cautious. We have our share of problems. People mysteriously disappearing into the night. Stories about kidnappings. We have to protect ourselves and defend what’s ours. Even if the stories aren’t true, there are other real threats in the world.”
Caleb finally understood Venger was explaining why they were in the desert messing around with a catapult. They were looking for ways to protect their home.
“I’m not here to take what’s yours. I have no plans of coming back once I leave.” Caleb meant those words. Once he could move, he was going to keep moving.
And stay away from people.
Venger offered him a weak smile. “We’re good people. We’re just doing what we can to survive.”
“Aren’t we all?”
Venger’s smile turned genuine. “Perhaps under different circumstances, you and I might have discovered we have a lot in common.”
Caleb held back the bitter chuckle attempting to escape his lips. He didn’t doubt they shared similar horror stories about the undead, but Caleb wasn’t interested in sharing his—or hearing someone else’s.
“Perhaps.” The word came out of Caleb’s mouth barely above a whisper.
Part of him mourned the fact he couldn’t and didn’t want to get close to anyone. He really needed someone to talk to, someone to be connected to—that’s what humans did.
You’re assuming you’re still human.
Caleb swallowed thickly. “I think it’s time I get in the shower.”
Venger nodded and then stood. He hesitated for a few moments before wheeling Caleb back to the metal building they’d emerged from. They stepped into the building, and Venger approached one of the wooden doors. Using his butt, he pushed open the door and pulled Caleb in with him.
Lockers lined the walls, and benches sat in front of them. The smell of soap hit his nostrils, along with the faint stench of sweat and the tang of blood. He found the last one surprising and a bit disconcerting. To ease his fears, he told himself it was typical in a hospital setting for there to be blood. As his gaze traveled around the room, memories of high school once again crossed his mind. The showers were at the back of the room, but unlike his gym showers, these had dividers, curtains, and privacy, making Caleb feel slightly less awkward about the situation.
“So, um, do you need help getting, ah, undressed?”
Caleb shook his head. “Nah, I think I got it.”
He placed his hands on the wheelchair arms and pushed himself up. He waited for his legs to give out like they had earlier. Thankfully, they held. Caleb attempted a step and—again—he stayed upright. A smile crossed his lips.
One step closer to getting away.
“You good?” Venger had his arms out in front, ready to catch Caleb if he fell.
“Yeah.”
“Cool. I’m going to sit here with my back to ya. If ya need anything, let me know.” He pointed to a bench on his right, then sat on it.
With deliberate movements, Caleb undressed and then stepped into the first shower stall. The water was warm as soon as it came out of the head. Instantly, Caleb felt himself relax. Dust, blood, and sweat ran off him in rivers. The ache flowed down the drain as well. His headache vanished almost completely. Caleb felt rejuvenated.
A small shelf sat on the wall behind him, and he grabbed the soap and washed. He poured the shampoo into his palm before cautiously rubbing it into his head. He lightened his touch on the side of his head where the lump was supposed to be and was surprised it wasn’t sore. The lump had vanished. He quickly removed his hands from his head and rinsed the suds from his skin. He felt ten pounds lighter and amazing. As he shut off the water, a towel flipped over the side of his stall. After drying, he wrapped it around his waist and stepped into the locker room. Venger handed him a pair of scrubs and then turned around.
“Sorry, these are the only clean things we have.”
“They’ll work. Thanks.”
He took off the towel and pulled the scrubs onto his body. As he did, the sleeve caught the wrap on his arm and tore it off. It plopped onto the ground with a wet slap, causing Venger to turn around. His gaze drifted to the wound. His entire body tensed.
“What’s do we have here?”
Caleb scrambled to cover it and tell Venger it was nothing, but as he did, he noticed it had completely healed. No longer was the bite red and irritated; it was flesh-colored and wrinkly with the teeth marks, white and raised slightly from the rest of his skin.
“What the …” Caleb brought his arm close to his face to study the mark.
“You’ve been bit!”
Venger took a few steps back from Caleb, his hands reaching behind him. Caleb’s head shot up, and he stared wide-eyed at Venger. The gun was leveled at his face. He threw his hands into the air.
“Wait, Venger. It’s not what you think.”
“Then tell me what it is. That’s a bite!”
This was exactly the position Caleb didn’t want to be in. How was he going to explain this? If a gun wasn’t pointed at his head, he might have been able to come up with something, but the pressure was too much. All he could do was stare at Venger.
“Tell me.” Venger’s voice was low, the words spoke through gritted teeth.
Caleb sighed and opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, a loud crash echoed down the hall, and the walls of the building shook.
CHAPTER 10
Caleb and Venger’s attention was drawn to the opposite side of the room. As they both looked over Venger’s shoulder, the barrel of the gun slowly lowered, and Venger’s finger slipped from the trigger. The building shook again. The creak of metal sliding against metal shrieked through the room. Venger turned back to Caleb, his eyes
wide.
“What’s going on?” He tightened his grip on the gun and raised the barrel back to Caleb’s face.
Caleb tightened the drawstring around the waist of his pants, then put his hands back in the air to show he wasn’t a threat. “How am I supposed to know?”
“Do you have some friends looking for you?”
Caleb leveled his gaze at Venger. “I have no friends.”
Another boom echoed through the building. This one sounded close, like it had come from down the hall.
“Tell me about the bite.” Venger nodded toward Caleb’s arm and spoke through gritted teeth.
Caleb fought back the annoyance growing in his chest. “Dude, trust me, at this point, I’m the least of your worries.”
As if to emphasize Caleb’s point, a loud roar echoed through the building. Caleb’s heart leapt into his throat. Something about the sound seemed familiar. It was close to the sound he heard from the RBZ in the alley when he attempted to get away from Hale and his men. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t. It was stupid for the creatures to show themselves and risk being exposed. Then again, they were in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps they weren’t planning on leaving witnesses.
The only logical conclusion Caleb could come up with was Samuel had the truck followed. He was paranoid enough to do it, and if something happened to them, Samuel had backup. The only thing that didn’t fit with this scenario was why it had taken them so long to come after them.
You need to get out of here now!
“Look, man, I don’t want any trouble, and I’m not here to give you any.” Caleb pointed to the door. “Whatever is going on out there has nothing to do with me. I just want to go.”
Saving Humanity Series (Book 2): Edge of Humanity Page 8
