To Survive

by Mike Staton

  Percival introduced Anton and Dakota. He cemented the names with who Kat had expected them to go to. “And this is?”

  “Lindsey, Sapphire! Down here! We’re done!” Dakota shouted through cupped hands.

  Kat glanced over her shoulder. The silhouette vanished from the top edge of the bank. She brought her gaze back to Percival. “Lieutenant Krista Adams.”

  Percival held his hand out. “Pleasure, ma’am.”

  “Likewise. Kat’s had nothin’ but nice things to say. Dakota, we done here?” Krista shook Percival’s hand and looked to the wide woman.

  “Soon as Lindsey and Sapphire join us. Assuming you didn’t find anything around us.” Dakota looked past them.

  Kat didn’t bother following the glance. She assumed it was toward the other two people from the roof.

  “Too quiet. This place is always too quiet. Like a dreamless sleep or never waking nightmare.” Krista tugged her helmet off and tucked it under her arm. “But in this case, quiet is a good thing. Only found these two birds perched on a tree.”

  “How’d you get the drop on them?” Percival looked from Kat to Krista.

  “One was busy staring at the other’s ass…ets” Krista smirked. “The other was very dedicated in watching the town.”

  Kat felt her cheeks heat and was glad she’d not lifted her paintball mask.

  “New friends?” The girl’s voice resounded from behind them.

  Kat turned so her back wasn’t completely to the newcomers. The shorter of the women carried the tripod and spotter’s scope. She wore tan cargo pants, a dark colored hoodie, and a small backpack. A thigh holster held some, large caliber pistol. Her olive complexion, dark almond eyes, and black hair marked her of Asian descent.

  The taller woman had, at one point, dyed her hair blue and green, but the apocalypse hadn’t allowed her to maintain the color and her dark, red-brown roots had begun to grow in. She wore her hair in a ponytail high on her head. Her narrow cheeks and thin profile made her look slightly gaunt, but something about her demeanor made it work for her. She wore a pair of black jeans, black and blue plaid shirt and a forest green jacket. She carried a long hunting rifle.

  “We’re thinking so,” Dakota said. She ran through introductions. The little Asian lady was Sapphire while the taller sharpshooter was Lindsey.

  “In that case, time to head home?” Lindsey smiled prettily as she finished shaking hands with Cooper. She flashed him a wink that sparked a flash of fire in Kat’s gut that she could only identify as jealousy.

  Chapter 12

  Kat sat closer to Cooper than she’d ever intended. She didn’t like the looks Lindsey kept shooting him, and liked some of the looks he returned even less. He seemed to be drinking in the attention like some mythical creature that fed off fawning. An attention vampire. An “attenire.”

  “No, that just sounds stupid,” Kat muttered to herself.

  The trip out of Danielsville went smoothly. Kat found herself talking less with Krista, the woman had drifted to the edge of their group and stalked along with a professional distance that Kat respected, and more deflecting conversation with Lindsey.

  She’d hated every moment of it and found herself wanting to mirror Krista. The experience reminded her of why she tended to keep everyone at arm’s length. As the sun set, the group diverted from the dirt road they hiked on and off into the woods a short distance. It didn’t take long to find and secure a spot to bed down for the night.

  They’d settled in a small field. It’d taken less than half an hour to tamp down the grass to ensure no crawlers surprised them in the night. A small pit was dug and a tiny fire lit. The nights were getting too cold to go without a tiny flame. Kat wondered if the moon disappeared and if the clouds released their moisture if they’d see the first true snow of the season.

  It couldn’t be far off.

  Sapphire took out a slightly battered flute and provided a soft medium of music for everyone.

  “I’ll take first watch. Everyone, get some rest.” Krista drifted to the edge of the camp.

  Kat slid her pack around into her lap and set to pulling out a blanket and sleeping bag. She hoped she didn’t regret not bringing along a tent by the end of this excursion. When she brought her gaze upward, she found Lindsey standing by her and Cooper’s feet.

  “Yes?” Kat directed the question at the young woman.

  “Like to dance?”

  “Sure.” Cooper’s response came far too quickly for Kat’s liking.

  Lindsey’s answering words came just as quick. “Won’t askin’ you.” She smiled prettily at Cooper, though it didn’t take the sting from her tongue.

  “Huh?” Cooper looked at Kat.

  Kat quickly blanked her face of the confusion and slight hurt she’d felt at his response. She looked away from the pretty muscular man at her left and up at the gaunt, long limbed, pretty woman at her feet.

  “Cat got your tongue, Kat?” Lindsey smiled once more. She extended her hand. “Would you want to dance? Sapphire’s got quite the set of lungs on her to produce a lovely tune that shouldn’t be wasted.”

  “I… uh.” Kat shook her head. “It’s been a long day and it’s late an…”

  “All I’m hearing are weak ass excuses.” She kept her hand extended. “Cooper, mind if your girlfriend dances with me?”

  “I’m not—“

  “Sure. No funny stuff though.” Cooper cut her off.

  “Wait, what?” Kat’s gaze whipped between the pretty man beside her and the pretty woman standing over her. Disorientation reigned in on her senses. “No, seriously. It’s fine.”

  Lindsey’s legs folded in on themselves as she bent down and further extended her hand. “I promise not to bite without permission.”

  “That’s not precisely comforting.” Kat didn’t like the attention she found herself the center of. “Fastest way to get you to let off?”

  “Dance with me.” Lindsey flashed a smile.

  “No funny stuff.” Kat could feel everyone’s eyes on her, even if they weren’t. “I’ll drop your ass on the grass if—“

  “Oh, stop flirting.” Lindsey snatched up Kat’s hand and pulled her to her feet.

  Kat moved with Lindsey’s yank, and followed after her. The young woman’s iron-tight grip on her hand felt on the verge of painful, and unceasingly tight.

  Lindsey led them a few steps away, around the edge of the fire pit, and pulled Kat toward her. Kat stumbled a step and thrust out her hand onto something soft and fleshy. She felt her face flare up in embarrassment when she realized she’d cupped, by accident, her hand around Lindsey’s breast. Kat’s hand immediately dropped away as her gaze hit the ground between them.

  “I, uh, sorry. I—“

  “I had no idea.” Lindsey’s fingers trailed up beneath Kat’s chin and lifted her gaze. “Hey, ain’t no thing.”

  “It was an accident.”

  “That’s all good. Dance with me.” Lindsey smiled sweetly as her long forearms draped to either side of Kat’s head, resting on her shoulders.

  “Why me?” Kat felt rooted to the spot with little escape from her growing embarrassment.

  “Hmm? Do I need to put your hands where they’re supposed to go?” Lindsey swayed slightly, though without Kat moving it seemed awkward.

  “No, I…” Kat shook her head. She dropped her hands to Lindsey’s hips. They felt surprisingly boney through the woman’s clothes. Kat wondered if the Danielsville group was getting enough to eat. Something to ask Krista later. She fixed her gaze somewhere past Lindsey’s left ear.

  “You know, we’re not in middle school.” Lindsey took a small step closer, halving the distance that had been between them. “And you’re allowed to move some. Ain’t like I’m some nasty wolf and you’re a frightened bunny. Guessing from your rifle you’re quite the opposite.”

  “I… Yeah. I’ve done some hunting. You still haven’t answered my question though.” Kat shuffled lightly, looked down at her feet. She sucked in
a deep breath, closed her eyes, and fought to calm herself.

  “You okay?” A hint of genuine concern leaked into Lindsey’s voice.

  “Will be,” Kat muttered. “Why me? There’s plenty of others around here.”

  “Yer the only one who’s given me the stink-eye all afternoon.” The flirty, fun tone drifted back to Lindsey’s raspy voice. “And you’re cute. So, double win. We get to talk and get to know each other and I get to dance with a cute girl. Win-win.”

  A silent moment passed gap between them. Had Kat misread the whole hike? She’d thought that Lindsey had been making eyes at Cooper, and he’d been responding. That didn’t mesh with what Lindsey was saying now, nor the actions Kat was on the receiving end of. Kat froze again, feeling her cheeks turn into miniature torches once more despite the evening chill.

  “Well… Win-win if she dances with me.” Lindsey rocked side-to-side. “Hey, finish this little song and I’ll let the rabbit go.”

  “You weren’t flirting with Cooper?” Kat listened to the music of the forest and the soft tones of Sapphire’s flute. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax.

  It was so much easier when she was looking down the sights of a rifle, but the breathing techniques taught to her by the Colonel could apply here as well. She let her muscles lose their tension as she breathed and focused on the music.

  She let the uncomfortable awkwardness that pressed itself on her psyche slide to the corner where she put unwanted feelings until she was ready to deal with them. She relaxed and felt Lindsey’s arms tighten slightly as she closed once more.

  Kat fought the panic that bloomed in her stomach.

  “Relax… You’re safe,” Lindsey breathed. “You’re doing so well.”

  Kat had no idea whether or not the other girl had answered her question. She’d lost herself to the relaxation techniques of the Colonel. She closed her eyes and focused on the music once more and settled into a slight swaying movement with Lindsey.

  “Much better. So, you’re your team’s sharpshooter?” Lindsey asked.

  Kat nodded once. “Chief marksman.”

  “Markswoman?” Lindsey asked. “Not hiding something down there, are you?”

  “Markswoman. You know what I mean.” Kat forced herself to continue to slither with the music. It couldn’t last forever. “It’s what I’m really good at.”

  “I’m giving you a hard time.” Lindsey closed the distance to the point of touching Kat with more than just her forearms. “This okay?”

  “Do it again and I’ll drop you on the ground.”

  “Such sweet words. And after I told you I’d not steal your boyfriend.” Lindsey smiled sweetly.

  Kat wondered how much venom hid behind the dark lips.

  “You’re stiffening again. I might enjoy that with someone else or in specific contexts, but… right now, I need you loose.” Lindsey slid one hand from Kat’s shoulder to her upper back.

  Kat swallowed hard. She focused on her own movements, a gentle sway, tightening of her hand on Lindsey’s hip as her other slid up the small of her back. If she was subtle enough, she could position herself for a hip throw without the other girl even noticing.

  That simple act helped her to relax further. Much to Lindsey’s delight.

  “Were you making eyes at me then?” Kat’s voice came out in a husky whisper, contrary to the way she’d wanted it to emerge. She’d not intended it to sound as though she were trying to be just as sultry back to Lindsey.

  “And if I were? Would it make you uncomfortable?” Lindsey’s voice dipped an octave.

  “No. Not precisely.” Kat didn’t exactly lie. She just didn’t know quite how to react in this whole situation. She licked her lips. She felt uncomfortable in this specific context, but someone making eyes at her? She’d never thought of herself as an attractive person before.

  “Tell me more about your shooting. Do it professionally?” Lindsey’s tone changed subtly once more. Less sultry and seductive and more friendly, gentle conversation.

  “Why do you care?”

  “It’s something we share and I’m interested in getting to know you a bit better.” Lindsey brought her gaze down to Kat’s. Her wine dark gaze seemed to swallow everything in the dusky twilight.

  “I… uh.” Kat paused and swallowed hard before she ripped her gaze away from Lindsey’s and continued. “I competed before college. Was going to go to this year’s NCAA’s rifle sectional. Plans got canceled.”

  “Ah. Mine’s more recreational. Hit the range every once in a while with my pa.” Lindsey’s arms slid a little more around Kat. “Didn’t do any truly important shooting before the outbreak.”

  “Just always been good with a rifle.” Kat let the words roll out smoothly. She felt tension building with Lindsey’s slow embrace.

  “Parents get you started?”

  Kat froze.

  “Strike a nerve?” The genuine concern in Lindsey’s voice bloomed once more. “Did you…?”

  “No. No.” Kat hadn’t thought of her parents in years. “They died a long time before this shitstorm began.”

  “Sorry to hear that.” Lindsey sounded more relieved than sorry. Her raspberry pink tongue flicked over already moist lips. “This a path you want to leave unexplored?”

  “There’s plenty of paths I’d rather leave alone. A mentor helped me through a very rough time in my life by sticking a rifle in my hands. Never encouraged me to do anything immoral with it, just… treat it with respect.” Kat skipped over the fact she’d put herself into the situation that the Colonel had helped her out of.

  “Sounds like a good guy.”

  “He was.”

  “What other passions drive you?” Lindsey leaned in.

  Kat tensed. “Look, we’re done.”

  “Relax…” Lindsey smiled, smooth and soothing. One hand trailed across Kat’s back, the other grazed across the back of her neck.

  “Nope. We’re done now, Lindsey.” The words came out weaker than she wanted. But a wise man had once said ‘Walk softly and carry a big stick.’ Actions spoke louder than words anyways.

  Lindsey’s smooth, long fingers gently grasped the back of Kat’s neck. Kat’s reaction was instantaneous. She grabbed what meager fabric she could at Lindsey’s hip and slipped out of her hold, letting the woman’s lips graze her cheek. Kat dipped, slid her hand from Lindsey’s low back, to high and flipped her over her hip as she pivoted in place.

  Lindsey landed with a solid thud against the cold ground. She stared up a Kat.

  “Well, you did promise,” she said with a cough for air.

  Kat stood straighter, straightened her jacket, and stalked away from the woman on the ground without a word. She waited for commotion to explode behind her, but the scene remained quiet. No one said a word.

  She didn’t know if that made the whole situation better or worse. She felt like screaming, but bottled that instead. It wouldn’t do to just let it erupt right now.

  She got a few steps away before she’d cooled enough to bother to look around and do a headcount. She’d expected Krista to be missing, but not Percival as well. She found herself suddenly wanting to talk with the charismatic dead man, and now he found it convenient to vanish.

  She shook her head, stalked toward Cooper, or more accurately: her stuff. He looked up at her with a shit-eating grin plastered over his face.

  She shook her head once, bent down, and grabbed her gear. “You can keep yourself warm tonight. Where’s Percival?”

  “Wait, what? Looked like you were—“

  “Hole. Deeper. Stop talking and tell me where Percival went off to while she was holding onto me.” Kat cut him short as she pulled her pack onto her shoulders.

  “He said something about a danger nearby and that he’d be back in a second.” Judith simply materialized next to her. She shot one disapproving glance at Cooper and took Kat’s hand and tugged her away.

  “Of course he did,” Kat grumped.

  * * *


  Percival moved through the thin forest on feet not nearly as silent as he’d hoped to be. He’d heard the whispers for most of the day and couldn’t ignore them for any longer when they’d made camp. He helped to get the fire going, watched Kat reluctantly rise to dance with Dakota’s sharpshooter, and quietly slipped away from the group. Someone who wasn’t still among the living whispered to him. And it was a call he couldn’t resist.

  He moved among the trees, making a roughly straight line away from the camp until he couldn’t see the fire any longer and turned in place. He’d drifted out of camp in the direction of the whispers on the wind and now that the others would have a difficult time following him, he honed in on them. He closed his eyes and moved with a shuffling step through the forest.

  A few tense moments passed and he opened his eyes, a moment before his helmet thumped into a low branch. He shook the impact off and moved around the offending tree. The whispers that drew him forward picked up to a soft chatter of female voices. Every voice was distinct, yet not. All spoke at once, one overlapping the next. He recognized them as Jessica’s dark tone. As she spoke, she did something no human could do: talk over herself.

  Percival dropped into a crouch and moved forward ever more cautiously. She was dead. He knew that. He’d shot her in the head moments after putting down her rabid and power-hungry boyfriend. He closed his eyes and lifted the visor to rub them for a moment before he continued on his way.

  He rounded a leaf strewn hill with nothing more overhead to hide the moon. She shone bright, lit his way. He paused. The whispers turned to chatter, then upped to shouts despite the trio of zombies ahead of him not saying a thing. Jessica’s voices blurred into an angry, red buzz in his head.

  Two of the three- men, one lanky and long limbed, the other portly and missing one arm from the elbow down- dropped into a low crouch. Percival rose from his crouch as Jessica, complete with the angry red bullet hole in her face, screamed at him to leave.

  Percival wordlessly unslung his sledgehammer. He brought it around into the portly stalker’s head as it lunged with an animalistic growl. The zombie dropped to the ground with a wet thud, shuddered once and tried to claw its way toward Percival.