The Zombie Zovels (Book 1): Zombie Suburbia

by Lake, D. K

  “I just wanted to check it out, and good thing I did. I found a bunch of candles in room four.” “And where'd you get this?” I asked, picking up an unopened bottle of alcohol from the nightstand. “Main desk. It was in one of the drawers. I think the receptionist liked a few drinks after hours.” I scratched my head and pulled out the elastic that was pulling. I shook my hair, and rubbed the back of my head, then noticed Lane looking at me differently. My thoughts went back to the box of condoms, wondering what ideas were going through his head. I moved up the bed, sitting next to him, and finished my cereal. Afterwards, Lane passed me a soda from the vending machine. I greedily gulped it down and hiccuped a little after.

  “Better?” he asked, watching me.

  “I forget how much I love this stuff.”

  Lane brushed his fingers down my arm. There was nothing subtle about it.

  “Right, let's take a look at your shoulder.” I said, hopping off the bed.

  I think he noticed I was trying to avoid him. I was. My heart was suddenly pounding and my tummy felt as though a million butterflies were fluttering around inside it. I needed space. He moved to the side of the bed and I got to work on his shoulder, cleaning it up and changing the gauze. The exit wound didn't look any worse, which was a good thing.

  “How does it look nurse?”

  “It looks good.”

  “Really?” he asked, trying to turn his head to look at it.

  “Really.” I replied.

  His hands found their way to my waist as I applied the last piece of tape to secure the gauze. “What do you want to do?” he asked, his hand slipping under my vest top. I promptly grabbed his hand and pulled it back out. I looked at him again and he grinned at me. Then I looked at the bottle of alcohol on the chair.

  “That one was unopened when you found it, wasn't it?”

  “Maybe,” he said, standing up, towering over me. I stepped back and tidied up. The alcohol explained why he was getting hands on with me.

  “Do you want a drink?” he asked.

  “No, not right now.”

  “Oh, come on, Alex.”

  “No. One of us has to stay sober for if we come under attack.”

  Lane peeked out the nets. The sky was already turning dark. “I think we're safe for another night.” “We'll have to draw the curtains again when we light the candles.”

  He nodded and picked up one of the magazines, knocking the box of condoms on the floor. He scooped the box back up, he caught me watching him and my cheeks flushed red. He gave me a devilish smile and I walked into the bathroom to wash my hands... and hide my blushing face. “I don't even know why you brought the condoms back from the car,” I blurted before I could stop myself. Scolding myself afterward for even bringing it up. “What are you going to do with them? Blow them up like balloons and use them to distract the zombies?”

  He didn't answer and my gut twisted. I think Lane had other ideas.

  “Well, that's not going to happen...” I mumbled under my breath.

  “What's not happening?” Lane asked from the doorway.

  “Shit!” I jumped at the sight of him. “Don't sneak up on me like that.”

  “So what do you want to do tonight?”

  “I don't know. Play cards.” I suggested.

  “Are you sure you want to play cards?”

  I felt my face burning again.

  Damn Lane, he knew exactly what to say to wind me up and make me blush like an idiot. I turned away and dried my hands on the towel trying to avoid his obvious staring.

  “Yes, I just want to play cards.” I said, looking up at him as I passed him in the doorway. “Ooo.. kay.” he said, following me.

  We sat on the floor playing cards. Lane's forehead wrinkled with crease lines as he looked at his cards in his hands. He reached for his cigarettes again and lit another one.

  “You're gonna run out real quick if you keep that up.”

  “I've got one more pack after this, and we usually find smokes easily.”

  “I think you should quit.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it's an expensive habit.” I said, picking up a card and looking at my hand. “Funny!” he said, flashing me a wicked smile.

  “No, seriously. How are you going to outrun a zombie when you're coughing and wheezing because you're out of breath... I'm just saying.”

  “Alex, don't worry yourself too much, it would mean you're becoming attached to me.” “Fine. Don't expect me to slow down for you when you can't keep up.”

  “Unlikely... you're legs are too short to outrun me.”

  My mouth dropped. He smirked at me. I popped open another can of soda, took a sip, and passed it to him. He took a few mouthfuls watching me carefully.

  “Are you really a virgin?” he asked.

  I nearly choked on my half eaten cookie.

  “I thought you already knew that,”

  “I took a guess before. I assumed you were, but I don't really know much about you... seeing as you won't talk about yourself... You know it looks like we're going to be spending a lot of time together in the near future-”

  “If we don't get eaten or turn into the walking dead.” I said.

  “Yes, but if we don't I'd like to know more about you.”

  I picked up a card and rearranged my hand. “What do you want to know?”

  “I dunno... anything. Like how you always win at fucking rummy?”

  I laughed. “I can't tell you that. If I did I'd have to kill you.” I stuck my tongue out at him and he knocked my leg with his.

  “What's your favorite food?” he asked.

  “Really? You want to know what I like to eat?”

  “Sure I do. Then when the world goes back to normal I'll know where to take you out for dinner.” “Big Mac.”

  “Big Mac? That's your favorite food?”

  “Yes,” I smiled. “My mom was a crazy eater, she was always cooking me and my dad Indian dishes. Don't get me wrong she was a great cook, but I still found myself craving McDonald's. Me and my dad used to sneak off for a Big Mac on Tuesdays after gun practice. What's yours?” “Spaghetti bolognese. My mom made the best spaghetti bolognese.” he said, looking sad. “Can I ask you something?” I said.

  “Sure,”

  “Why did you hang around with Eric and the others? You're nothing like them.”

  “My mom is cousins with Eric's dad.”

  “Huh? I did not know that.”

  “It's not like I advertised it. Eric was a dick. Now he's probably an even bigger dick, running around eating people and causing havoc everywhere.”

  “Didn't he get into a facility?”

  “No. His mom worked in a hair salon and his dad didn't work.”

  “You always sat with them.”

  “I dunno... I figured it was easier to sit with them and get along with them than to not get along with them. Eric had a pretty big influence on everyone at school. You know what it was like to be on the receiving end of Eric's unwanted attention.”

  “Don't remind me.” I said dryly.

  “My mom expected us to play nicely together. She used to cook family meals and invite his family over. It's not like I wanted to, but I didn't really have a choice.”

  “That kind of makes sense now.”

  “What, you thought I was hanging around with him because I liked him?”

  I shrugged. “Eric was good for two things, getting his hands on beer and weed.”

  “You liked Katherine,” I said, regretting it as soon as it had left my mouth.

  Lane laughed. “What's funny?” I asked.

  “You. I didn't take you for the jealous type.”

  “I'm not jealous. Definitely not jealous of that up-tight-bitch.”

  Lane reached over and popped open another soda.

  “Didn't you date that kid that played guitar for awhile?”

  “You mean Kyle?” I was surprised he knew about me and Kyle.

  “Yeah, that one.”


  “I did. It only lasted three months.”

  “What happened?”

  “He repeatedly tried to get in my pants and I wasn't ready. He got bored and moved on to some girl called Callie. Next question.”

  “I would have waited.” he said, leaning forward on his knees.

  “Waited for what?”

  “Until you were ready.”

  I laughed, but he looked hurt.

  “Says you, who plants a box of condoms in our motel room.” I wasn't cross. More amused than anything. “You know they're probably out of date.”

  He jumped to his feet and went over to the chair and picked up the box.

  “Well?”

  “Yeah, but it's not like it's gone off food, they're not going to make us sick or anything.” he said. “I'm allergic to latex.” I said.

  “No, you're not. You just made that up.”

  “No really. Anyhow, it doesn't matter. We're not doing that. I'm not that type of girl.” I couldn't believe we were having this conversation. I was still a virgin and he was experienced, and a player from what I'd heard.

  “What type of girl?” he asked, placing the box on the nightstand.

  “Your type.”

  His eyes narrowed and he glared at me. “What does that mean?”

  “It means I'm not backseat car material.”

  Lane ran his hand down his face. “I never said you were. Alex, I was stupid back then, but it's all in the past now. That's not who I am anymore. All those girls meant nothing to me... it was just sex.” “Good for you,” I said, packing the cards away. “I'm feeling tired. I think I'm going to try and get some sleep.” I climbed to my feet.

  “Alex,” he called as I walked into the bathroom.

  I shut the bathroom door, about to use the toilet, with my jeans down my thighs when he opened the door and walked in.

  “Lane, I was about to pee. Do you mind?”

  “It never bothered you before when you took a piss in front of me.”

  “Well, it bothers me now. So if you could just give me a minute.”

  “No.” he replied, picking up my toothbrush.

  I stormed out and sat on the bed waiting for him to finish in the bathroom. He came back out with his T-shirt and jeans slung over his shoulder, flashing his rock hard stomach. I lowered my eyes to the floor, trying not to stare.

  Everything was changing, seeing Lane half naked never bothered me before. Now it made my cheeks warm and caused my stomach to flip-flop. This was exactly what I didn't want to happen. Ever since he'd kissed me on that rock and told me how he felt he had ignited a mixture of strange feelings inside me. I knew deep down they had always been there, but up until now I had managed to suppress them, only now I couldn't control them anymore.

  “Are you hot? You look a bit flushed.”

  “I'm fine.” I answered rushing into the bathroom. Locking the door this time.

  Lane was already in bed when I came back out. He had his head propped up on his arm watching me.

  “What?” I snapped.

  “I didn't say anything. What? I'm not allowed to look at you now?”

  I ignored him and pulled off my jeans, leaving only my vest top and panties on. I blew out most of the candles, then climbed into bed. I laid my head on my pillow and looked sideways at Lane and found him staring back at me. I rolled onto my side and faced the window.

  Within a few minutes, he edged closer to me under the covers and pressed his body up against mine. “Are you serious?” I said, trying not to laugh, moving away from him, dangerously close to falling off the bed.

  “What can I say? It's the effect you have on me. I'm tired of trying to hide it from you.” “Well, you don't have to poke me with it.”

  He edged closer to me again.

  “Lane, come on, stop it.”

  He looped his arm around my waist and nuzzled his face into my neck.

  “Pack it in.” I said, firmly, removing his hand from my waist.

  “Alex, I'm just messing around. You didn't mind yesterday when I cuddled you.” “Yes, but you weren't acting like a horny teenager then. Just don't, I want to go to sleep.” Not that I was going to get much sleep thinking about Lane and how he had openly expressed his desire to sleep with me and that he had feelings for me.

  “Whatever,” he grumbled and moved away, blowing out the candle on his side. I leaned over and blew out the candle on the nightstand, then nestled down into the bed with my back to him. I started shivering. All my hot flushes were gone and I was left feeling cold. I rolled onto my back and looked over at Lane. It was pitch black so I had no idea if he was facing me or not. I reached over, expecting to feel his back somewhere in the dark, instead, he grabbed my wrist, making me jump.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “Nothing.” I quickly pulled my hand back.

  “I thought you were going to sleep?”

  “I was, but it's cold... and you're always warm.”

  “Oh, I see, now I'm good for something you want to know me again.”

  I muttered under my breath and tried to roll back over, away from him, but he stopped me, grabbing my shoulder.

  “Come here,” he said, opening his arms for me.

  I hesitated at first, but then a cold chill in the air made me shiver and I quickly shuffled closer to him, and wriggled into his arms, with my head under his chin. He wrapped his warm arms around me and I buried my head into his chest.

  “You know this isn't helping,” he said.

  He rubbed one hand over my back trying to warm me up while his other hand cradled my head, holding me close to his chest. Our legs became entangled and I soon started to feel warm again. “I wish we could stay here.” I said.

  “Who says we need to leave?”

  “Our food supply does. Not unless you suddenly remembered you're skilled in hunting and we can live off squirrels and bunnies.”

  He chuckled against me. “No didn't think so. The cookies aren't going to last long and you scoffed half the protein bars already.”

  “I was hungry. Be nice, I'm wounded. I need my strength to get better.”

  “Next you'll be saying I need to attend to your every need.”

  “You took the words right out of my mouth.”

  An awkward silence fell over us. He shifted down the bed, and I was suddenly aware his face was only inches away from mine. He moved closer until our noses were touching... then our lips. His lips were warm and welcoming. I let my guard down and let him kiss me, and I returned the kiss this time. He quickly rolled me onto my back and covered my body with his. Every part of him was warm and I couldn't control my hands from roaming all over his chest, his back, up his biceps. His hand made its way to my hip, then slowly moved to the front of my panties. I stopped kissing him and started shaking my head. “No. Don't.” I said.

  “You don't want to?”

  “It's not that. I do, but this will only complicate things between us.”

  “I think things are already complicated between us. I killed someone and broke you out of the Lab to make sure no one could get their hands on you.”

  “Except you?”

  “I would never hurt you, or force you to do anything you didn't want to do.”

  “I've never done it before, and I didn't picture my first time in some abandoned motel in the middle of a zombie apocalypse with-with... well, with you.”

  “Alex, I'm crazy about you! I would do anything for you.”

  “I'm just scared I'm going to lose you.”

  “You're not going to lose me.”

  “You don't know that.” I said, wiping a tear from my eye.

  “Are you crying?” Lane asked, concerned.

  “No.” I sniffed.

  “Alex, it's going to be all right. I'm gonna take care of you... always. You and me together. I'm not going to leave you. You're not just some girl in the backseat of my car. I lo-”

  I pressed my lips against his before he could finish that sentence.


  “Can we just sleep tonight? Please.”

  “Whatever you want.” he said, rolling off me, and waiting for me to get comfortable before positioning himself behind me, hugging me tightly.

  “I've never seen you cry before.” he said.

  “That's why I don't want to become attached to you. I don't want to become an emotional wreck if anything happens to you.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to me.” he whispered into my hair.

  I laced my fingers into his and hugged his arm around me. I closed my eyes and wished I could wake up tomorrow and realize this whole zombie apocalypse had been a terrible nightmare. All I wanted was to sit with my mom and dad at breakfast, catch the bus to school, sit in Calculus class and pretend not to notice Lane Walker watching me from across the classroom. I fell asleep dreaming of a past life I would never get back.

  Chapter 12

  I woke up in Lane's arms. It was 9.40am and I could already hear Lane's stomach grumbling loudly. I sat up, stretched, and Lane stirred behind me. I felt his fingers graze against my arm, I looked over my shoulder and smiled at him.

  “Morning,” I said.

  “Morning, Alleycat,”

  “Alleycat?” I said.

  “What? You don't like it?”

  “I think I prefer Alex.”

  “Nah, I prefer Alleycat. It suits you, you're feisty and live in the wild most days.” I climbed out of bed and stretched again, opened the curtains and looked out the nets. Every time I went near the window I found myself peeking outside, expecting to see a mass of zombies. Nothing. All I spotted was a small bird pecking around the dirt.

  “Any sign of a zombie invasion?” he joked.

  “Nope. Not unless the birds have turned savage and want a piece of my ass.”

  Lane choked on his soda. “What?” I turned to him.

  “The birds aren't the only ones.” he said, clearing his throat.

  “Hmm,” I mumbled, walking over to our food supply.

  “What's for breakfast?” he asked.

  “Um, all we've got is the Cheerios, one protein bar, a packet of cookies, a canned tin of soup, and a packet of gum.”

  He stood behind me looking at his options.

  “We should really save it, we don't know how long we'll be on the road tomorrow. The bike will run out of gas soon.” he said.