by Poe, S. B.
Bridger held the gun up in front of the man’s eyes. He waited for them to focus. He released the magazine and put it in his pocket.
“Run your tongue along the inside of your mouth.” Bridger said in a low voice.
“Huh?”
“Run your tongue along the inside of your mouth.” He repeated. He did.
“You taste that? That sharp salty taste? That’s blood. It let’s you know you’re alive. You need to try and keep that stuff running through your veins, not dripping from your lips. Or worse.” He continued. “We aren’t here to hurt you. We’re just trying to survive. You might want to start doing the same.”
“How the hell do you think I lasted this long?” Cody asked as he regained thought.
“My guess would be good luck?” Bridger said. He stood and stuck his hand out. Cody took it and stood.
“Now whatever the hell is between you and Ed, I don't give a shit. It’s over.” Bridger said.
“It’s still my property.” Cody said as spat out some blood.
“Listen here you little shit.” Bridger turned and grabbed Cody by the collar. “The only property now is what you can defend. You decided you couldn’t defend this place, packed up and left. It’s abandoned. You’re out here for the same reason we are. Just trying to make it a little further down the road.”
He pushed Cody away as his words softened at the last. Cody stumbled back but stayed on his feet. He dusted the back of his jeans off and brushed his hair back as he pulled on the baseball cap Bridger had sent flying.
“You don’t know why we’re out here.” Cody said.
“I don’t care either. Here.” Bridger tossed the pistol back to him. “I’ll keep the magazine. You have one bullet. I would save it.”
“Look man, I ain’t interested in dying today. Well I ain’t interested in dying on any day but since that guy over there is currently pointing his shotgun at us, I suggest we try a little more uh diplomacy or something.” Vernon spat out.
Josh looked over to Bridger. Bridger nodded at him and Josh lowered the barrel.
“What the hell are you talking about Vernon?” Cody said.
“You should listen to your friend.” Bridger said.
“Yeah, Vernon is right.” Ed said.
“Shut up Ed.” Bridger and Cody said simultaneously.
They looked at each other and Bridger smiled. Cody didn’t smile but his face did soften a little. He walked around the SUV and went to the front door.
“Aw hell. Why’d you go and break my door open?” Cody said.
“Sorry about that.” Bridger said.
“It’s ok. I don’t guess there’s anything in there worth locking up anyways.” Cody said. He turned back to Bridger.
“So just trying to make it a little farther down the road, huh?” Cody said.
“Something like that.” Bridger said.
“Where are you staying now?” Cody said.
“A little ways away. In the woods.” Bridger said.
“Just y’all?” Vernon asked.
“There are others. A few.” Bridger added. He grew a little uncomfortable with the questions and decided to ask his own.
“I assume you’re not staying here?” Bridger asked. “So how about y’all?
“We’re in town.” Cody said.
“It’s barricaded.” Vernon added.
“Barricaded?” Jahda asked. She had been hanging back listening. Vernon turned and looked at her.
“We tore down fences, hauled cars around, brought in lumber from the sawmill. We used everything we could to build a three sided barricade around the town.” Cody said.
“Why only three sides?” Devin asked.
“The fourth side is the creek. We just blocked the bridge. Sometimes they can get up the bank but only a few all winter and they didn’t get far.”
“Y’all block up the crossroads?” Ed finally spoke up.
“Yeah. Clete Berry and Dave Waters did it. Right when this all started.” Vernon said.
“Sheriff Dave. What a prick.” Ed said.
“Well he’s dead. Clete too.” Cody said.
“Was it bad?” Ed asked.
“Yeah, for a while. Cotton got everyone together and we started blocking off the streets. Then between the houses. Lots of folks left town. Lots more died trying. The rest of us just stayed.” Vernon said.
“But I never saw you Ed. Not once.” Cody said.
“I lit out with…” Ed started.
“Us. He met us and joined our merry band.” Bridger interrupted. “Look, not to break up this reunion but we have places to go?”
“Where would that be?” Vernon asked.
“Not here.” Bridger said. He turned and swirled his hand in the air, making eye contact with both Josh and Jahda as he did. “Let’s go.”
“Hold on.” Cody said as they started back to the vehicles.
“Look, it was nice meeting you. Glad I didn’t have to kill you but we have to leave now.” Bridger turned and climbed in the seat. He closed the door and looked out the open window.
“Have a nice day.” Bridger said. He turned to Jahda. “Go.” She did.
Ed leaned forward between the seats as they pulled around the parked truck. He looked through the back glass at Cody and Vernon still standing there watching them pull away. He turned back towards the front.
“Why’d you lie back there?” Ed said.
“Huh?” Bridger said.
“When you said I lit out with you in the beginning. I met you when old Russell lost his head over Red.” Ed said.
“Yeah, well you’re lucky you didn’t lose yours then too. And they might just remember old Russell and know about his place in the woods. I’m not sure I want anyone to know where we lay our heads at night.” Bridger said.
“Why?” Devin asked.
“Because it’s still the same old world.” Bridger said. He looked out the window again.
Cody stood there watching the two vehicles pull away. He rubbed the side of his jaw again and winced when he touched the tender spot. He spat again. It was still a little pink.
“Well, that was something.” Vernon said. “Damn, Ed Riggins. Of all the folks to see at the end of the world.”
“Yeah, well fuck him. Fuck all of ‘em. Let’s get the tractor.” He turned and started walking towards the barn.
7
Ghost Stories
The horse was unsaddled and resting in the stall. Dottie stood over the stove smelling the aroma from the percolator. The others sat at the big table. The bowls and cups were passed around and the portions portioned. Ham sat right next to the newcomer. They all watched as he ate the first few bites of food. He knew the questions would come soon. The red head, Tilly, he thought it was, started.
“So where did you come from again?”
“Really only a few miles from here. I ran the post office at Berry. I lived in the house behind it. It burned down and I had to leave.” Cameron started.
“And then?” Charlie asked.
“Well I found the horse a few weeks before that at a friends farm. They didn’t make it. I had him living in the post office to keep him safe. We would go riding around to see what we could see between my house and farm. The fire started while we were gone one day. Probably the invertor. Most everything burned, so we went back to the farmhouse.” Cameron said.
“You’re not talking so funny now.” Ham said.
Cameron turned and looked at her. He smiled.
“I’m not quite as nervous.”
“Why would you be nervous?” Ham asked.
“Some of the people, actually most of the people I’ve met haven’t been as friendly.”
“Have you met anyone friendly out there?” Scott asked.
“I have. I have met some wonderful people. Actually that’s how I found the other bus. I was looking for one of them. A man named Toles.”
Kate and Scott heads snapped back as if slapped. Evelyn looked at them and then looked back at Came
ron.
“How do you know that name?” Evelyn asked.
Cameron looked around the table.
“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” Cameron said. “A man came to my house, right after the outbreak and the dead started walking. He said his name was Toles. He told me where he was camped.”
Kate finally stood and walked out of the room. Dottie followed her into the kitchen. Scott sat at the table still looking at this stranger who spoke his name.
“JW.” Evelyn said.
“Yes, that’s it. JW. JW Toles.” Cameron said.
“My dad.” Scott said.
Cameron smiled nervously around the table, not quite understanding.
“Is he here?” He asked.
“He’s dead.” Scott said.
“I’m sorry.” Cameron said.
“Me too.” Scott said.
“He was a brave man.” Cameron said.
“Why would you say that?” Scott said. “You didn’t know him.”
“When I met him we became surrounded in my home by the dead. He stayed calm and kept me calm, which was quite a feat back then. Afterwards he dealt with one of the dead, which had become trapped on my porch. Then he left the safety of my house and followed the other abominations into the woods. He never hesitated. And he did it to get back to those he felt responsible for. You. So no I didn’t know his bravery, I witnessed it.”
“He was already bitten when he got back to us.” Scott said.
“And by that time, well you said you slept under the other bus so you saw what happened.” Charlie added.
“And that is your mother?” Cameron asked Scott as he nodded towards the kitchen.
“Yeah.” Scott said.
“Kate.” Evelyn added. “Her name is Kate.”
“I see that you inherited your fathers bravery as well.” Cameron said to Scott.
“How so?” Scott asked.
“At the fence, you and your mother came prepared to defend your people. Admirable.” Cameron said.
“So why did you start looking for JW?” Evelyn asked. “Just looking up folks who had been nice to you?”
“That. But there is more. Let me ask you a question first.” Cameron said.
“Well, before we get going on some more questions, I think it’s time I put this one to bed.” Martin said. He stood and looked at Ham.
“But Opa?” Ham whined.
“Opa? Ich hatte auch einen Opa?” Cameron said.
“Huh?” Ham said as she wrinkled her nose at him.
“Oh sorry. I thought we were speaking German. I said I had an Opa too.” Cameron said.
“Ok. You’re talking funny again.” Ham said as she stood. “Goodnight.”
“I think I’ll go too.” Jennifer said.
“Yeah, I’ll see y’all tomorrow too. Nice to meet you Mr. Day.” Dottie said as she came from the kitchen.
“Please. Call me Cameron.” He said as he rose from his seat.
The rest of them watched the politeness of a world they had lost. It seemed quaint and extravagant at the same time.
“Good night.” Dottie said as her and Jennifer walked out the door.
The evening had passed quickly during the talking. It continued.
“You wanted to ask a question.” Charlie turned back to Cameron.
“The tire tracks. The ones on the road. The ones that led me back here. Were those left by your people?” Cameron asked.
“Yes. Why?” Evelyn asked.
“Where did they go?” Cameron asked.
“A little town up the road. Why?” Evelyn asked slightly more insistent.
“When will they be back?” Cameron asked.
“A day or two. Again why?” Evelyn asked. Kate came from in the kitchen. She had overheard enough to want to know the answer too.
“The dead. They’re changing. I didn’t notice it at first but they are. Some are changing faster than others but I think they are all changing.”
“What do you mean changing?” Raj asked. He leaned forward from his seat against the wall.
“Have you not noticed how few of the dead you saw all winter?”
“We’re in the middle of nowhere.” Scott said.
“True, but I am sure you encountered more before the weather turned cold. Even in the middle of nowhere. Right?” Cameron said.
“I guess.”
“And I would guess you have seen more lately?” Cameron asked. Tilly spoke.
“We have. The last few weeks. We thought it might be the lights.” She said.
“It’s not. It’s the weather. It’s getting warmer.” Cameron said.
“You still haven’t said what you mean by changing.” Raj said.
“I’m sorry you’re right. I have encountered some that are not just walking dead. They don’t just shuffle along. Most do but a few have…I don’t know. Evolved.”
“Evolved?” Evelyn asked.
“Some are overcoming their lack of coordination. They are getting faster. And the warmer weather has them all moving again.” Cameron said. “My concern for your people who have left is that they are not aware of this information since it is obvious that you have not witnessed it for yourselves yet. And I fear the days will only get warmer.”
Emma Grace unhitched the little spring on the back screen door and swung it silently open. Cotton had finally fallen asleep in his chair. He was trying to wait on the boys to get back but gave up. She figured Cody and Vernon probably found a bottle of whiskey or a joint and were sitting out at the farm drunk or high or both. She closed the door behind her and began the walk between the houses to get over to the church. She stopped and stood against the side of the Wilson’s garage while she waited for the patrol to walk down the street. It looked like the Austin brothers. They were younger than her by a few years but everyone was tasked to do things now. She let them walk by. They never noticed her. She made sure they were gone before she moved on. She crept along the back of the barricade and came around the side of the church. She stood in the eve of the vestibule watching the road for a few minutes. She didn’t see anyone. She ducked around the side of the church and went between the buildings. She came to the door of the fellowship hall and glanced back over her shoulder one more time. She stepped inside the door and closed it behind her. She looked around the large open space of the room. Enough light filtered through the dirty windows that she could see. It was empty. The goner was gone.
Cody sat in the cab of the tractor. It had taken them almost two hours to get it started but after draining some fuel and changing the fuel filter they got it going. He almost gave up trying after a while. They barely had seeds anyway. The afternoon had started to give over to slanted shadows and fading light. He drove down the road with Vernon following behind in the truck. He pulled the big plow in the stowed position behind him. They passed the co-op again and then the big box. They approached the barricade and turned right onto McCormick Street. They drove another few hundred yards and turned into the driveway of the funeral home. They pulled around to the back yard and stopped. Cody got down out of the cab.
“Open the fence.” Cody yelled.
“Who is it?” He heard Michael Austin yell.
“Open the damn fence right now.” He said but the fence was already opening.
The funeral home had a privacy fence along the back of its lot. It had a wooden gate that opened up to a service road. The road was used to drop off the recently departed to the mortuary receiving building without having to enter from the main street. The service road connected to Fosters Street and unlike the bridge it did serve as the only way a vehicle can get in or out of Collier.
“Did you see them folks?” Cody asked Michael as he opened the gate.
“What folks?” He replied.
“So nobody tried to get in?” Vernon asked.
“Who would try to get in?” Michael asked.
“Ed Riggins. And some of his new friends.” Vernon said.
“Ed Riggins? You mean that b
urnout that worked at the fishing counter at Wal-Mart. That guy?” Michael asked.
“Yeah, that guy.” Cody said.
“Nah, I ain’t seen him. Did you?”
“Yep. And a bunch of other people.” Vernon said. “They were out at the farm but they left. We didn’t know if they tried to come here or not.”
“What were they doing at the farm?”
“Stealing.” Cody said.
“Except there wasn’t anything to steal.” Vernon said.
“They didn’t know that.” Cody snapped at him.
“Fine. It’s done. They ain’t here. Let’s just get this stuff inside and call it a day. I’m hungry.” Vernon said.
“Fine. Let’s drive this thing over by the church. We can park it in the parking lot for now.” Cody said. He climbed back in the cab. He turned before closing the door.
“Make sure you keep an eye out.” He said to Michael.
“My twin boys are walking patrol tonight. I’ll tell them.” He said.
He fired up the tractor and pulled through the gate. Vernon got in the truck and followed him. As he pulled up to Michael he rolled down his window.
“Hey, he’s just pissed.” Vernon said.
“Why?” Michael asked.
“One of the guys with Ed knocked him on his ass.” Vernon said and brought his fist to his own jaw. He brought his tongue down hard off the roof of his mouth. ‘click’
“One punch.”
“No shit?” Michael said.
“No shit.” Vernon said. “I wouldn’t worry about them folks too much. They probably trying to avoid most people the way they lit out afterwards.”
“Alright”
“See ya boy.” Vernon said as he tapped his hand on the outside of the door.
“See ya.” Michael said. He watched the truck pull through and locked the gate behind them.
Bridger stood under the eve of the gas station island overhang in front of the big box store. He looked across the parking lot. The SUV and truck were parked on the other side of the big trailer in the corner of the parking lot. They heard the tractor coming down the road. He waited. He watched from the shadows as the tractor and the truck rolled past. He let them get out of sight. He thumbed the walkie.
