Fire was already crawling up the side, likely due to the gasoline that had probably leaked all over the place. The flames were hungry and worked to devour the car even before Blake and Jay were back to the SUV.
I guess we had one less problem to worry about… at least I hoped we did. It would be harder for James to find us. Although, sadly, he likely already knew where we were headed.
At the very least it would buy us more time. Everything was happening just to buy us a little more time. Eventually, there would be more time available.
“Well,” Blake said sitting down. He shifted into drive and sped away without giving the fire another look. “That’s taken care of.”
“Wasn’t too bad,” Jay said. “Are you going to take away my gun now?”
“Nah,” Blake said and I widened my eyes. Not because he wasn’t taking it but because he was letting him keep it. “You said you’re one of the good guys too, right?”
Jay laughed. “I did say that, so it’s true.”
“Just don’t do anything stupid,” Blake said.
“Never,” Jay said. I could tell by his tone that he was smiling. “Say, I have an idea.”
“I hope that’s a good thing,” I said biting my lip.
Jay hesitated. I turned and looked over my shoulder but instead of noticing Jay, I noticed the big blaze behind us.
Jay looked up at me and I turned to him. “I have a brother who lives along the way. We could stop and replenish our supplies.”
Chapter Nine
Blake laughed for far too long. I was starting to feel uncomfortable inside the SUV.
“That’s not going to happen,” Blake said.
“Okay,” Jay replied. “I was only trying to help. I’m pretty sure no one is there. I don’t think he survived. We wouldn’t have anything to worry about.”
“How would you know that? How would you know if he survived or not?” I asked.
Jay exhaled. “Well, I don’t know for sure but back when phones were still working, he didn’t call me back or text me or anything. Plus, we’re twins.”
“So, you had a special connection,” Whitney asked with interest.
“Maybe,” Jay said. “But I think he would have probably responded to my messages.”
We drove a few miles in silence. Maddie was sleeping in the back, stretched out as best as she could on the small, cramped seat.
She seemed to be sleeping a lot. Even back at Jay’s, she hadn’t done much more than rest but then again, neither had anyone else. There really hadn’t been much for us to do while we waited for the water to drain away.
Being on the road was boring. Maybe if I hadn’t had so much trouble sleeping in cars or anywhere really, I would probably have been sleeping more to pass the time too.
“He had a lot of supplies,” Jay said breaking the silence. “He was a bit crazy and always thought the world was going to end. I guess he wasn’t crazy, was he?”
“What do you mean?” Blake asked interest brightened his eyes.
“Joey was a prepper,” Jay said.
I scrunched up my nose. “Jay and Joey? Did you guys dress alike too?”
“When we were younger,” Jay said smiling at the memory. “My mom liked us to have the same outfits. Jayson and Joseph. We were inseparable. The best of friends. At least we had been when we were younger anyway.”
“A prepper, huh?” Blake asked as though he hadn’t heard anything else.
“Yeah, he had all these scenarios about how the world would end… natural disaster, nuclear attack… not once had he mentioned a virus as what would cause the end,” Jay said with a quick exhale. “At least he hadn’t mentioned it back when he first got into prepping. Not that it matters, I guess.”
Silence filled the SUV again but there was something different about Blake. I could tell he was considering making the stop.
“How much stuff do you think he has?” Blake asked.
“I’m not sure. Probably lots of everything… food, water, gas. I imagine he’ll have more than you can even imagine,” Jay said. “He was going to even build one of those underground things.”
“A bunker?” Blake asked.
Jay clapped his hands. “Yeah, a bunker. Don’t think he ever got around to that but maybe he did. I don’t know.”
“Where does he live?” Blake asked. He was definitely considering making the stop.
“Outside of Buffalo,” Jay replied. “Definitely not far off track.”
“It’s a bad idea,” Maddie said in a slow, half-asleep voice. “We already lost time staying at Jay’s.”
Blake nodded but Maddie had already closed her eyes again. “I understand that but by the time we get there, we’ll all be ready for a break again.”
“No,” Maddie said.
Blake looked at me for support. All I could offer him was a shrug. Maddie had been in charge of this adventure since pretty much day one.
“The supplies will be helpful,” Blake said. “Especially the gas.”
“It’ll be a safe place and you can take a break from driving,” Jay added.
“Well, I don’t care what we do as long as we’re together,” Whitney said blinking her eyes at the back of Blake’s head.
What the hell had happened between them back at Jay’s? Nope. I didn’t want to know.
It was their business what happened behind Jay’s closed door. The door had been closed an awful lot though that was for sure.
“We’ll make a quick stop,” Blake announced. “Fill up the tank, grab some food, and I’ll take a quick nap.”
Maddie hadn’t heard the announcement. She’d fallen back asleep.
By the time we got there, she’d be wide awake and ready to throw a fit about taking the brief detour. I could warn Blake but I decided it would be more fun to let him deal with Maddie’s rage when the time came.
The hours passed. My legs were sore from sitting for so long without stretching.
Whitney hadn’t asked to stop to use the bathroom because she had fallen asleep with her head resting on one of the blankets she’d taken from Jay’s house.
The air inside the SUV was chilly. Blake hadn’t wanted to use the heater because he said it used the gas quicker. He didn’t want to stop until we got to Jay’s Brother’s house.
The wind whistled around the SUV as we zipped down the empty road. We hadn’t seen anyone since James’s buddy had placed his bloody hands on the hood.
There hadn’t been anyone trying to chase after us and there hadn’t been any sick at the side of the road begging us for help. It felt like it was just us left in the world. Of course, I knew that wasn’t true.
It was almost funny how alone I’d felt when I’d been with Freddie. That was different from the alone I was feeling now.
Freddie had isolated me from the world but I’d always known there were people out there. I’d been able to talk to my family almost whenever I wanted to but now there wasn’t anyone out there. At least not anyone that could instantly be considered friendly.
But I wasn’t really alone. I had Maddie, Blake, Whitney, and now Jay. It was more than I’d had in my life with Freddie.
“Not much further,” Jay said popping away my thoughts. “It’s been quite some time since I’ve been out this way.”
“You’re sure this is going to be fine?” Blake asked. “Because if this is a trap—”
“Yeah, it’s a trap. I knew you guys were going to be driving down the street and almost hit me. And I knew that storm was going to come along too,” Jay said sarcastically. “It’s the long con. I’m bringing you guys here so I can take your supplies and lock you in the basement. Haven’t decided what I’m going to do with all of you yet, though.”
Blake glared at him in the mirror. “Not funny.”
“It’s a joke,” Jay said.
“Not a funny one,” Blake said.
“Even if my brother is here, it’ll be fine,” Jay said. “He might not share his supplies but he’s not going to kill you or
anything like that. Turn here.”
Blake turned. He kept his eyes on Jay almost as much as he kept them on the road ahead. He was studying him… waiting for something to go wrong.
There was a large two-story house on the right side of the road about half a mile ahead.
“It hasn’t changed a bit,” Jay said.
“When was the last time you were here?” I asked.
“A few years ago, five maybe six,” Jay said.
Blake cleared his throat. “Do we need to worry about the possibility of running into any sick lingering around?”
“Oh,” Jay said. “I hadn’t thought about that. Yeah, we might. Two people. Joey and his wife.”
Blake nodded. He slowed the SUV and turned into the driveway.
Chapter Ten
At the end of the long driveway, there were two parked cars. Blake glanced at Jay over his shoulder and waited for an explanation before he’d bother to cut the engine.
“It’s probably my brother’s and his wife’s cars,” Jay said with a shrug.
“You don’t know what he drives?” Maddie asked.
“Haven’t been out this way in a long time,” Jay explained.
Maddie eyed him suspiciously. “Guess you weren’t the type to talk on the phone much.”
“We definitely weren’t,” Jay said.
Blake carefully scanned our surroundings. I did the same but there were several buildings and lots of trees and bushes that could be used as hiding places.
“Put your masks on,” Blake said and everyone slid their masks down over their nose and mouth. Everyone, except for Jay. “Put your mask on.”
“I thought we discussed this,” Jay said. “If it’s my time, I’m okay with that. I lost everyone that mattered to me.”
Blake scratched his eyebrow and shook his head. “You’re traveling with us now, which means you’ll wear your mask. If it helps you, tell yourself it’s for our protection, not yours.”
“Fine,” Jay groaned.
We stepped out of the SUV and cautiously gathered together in front of the house. There were two red barns — one to the left slightly behind the house and another to the right that was weathered and looked like it had existed long before the house. The door on the barn was hanging on a hinge and squeaked as it swayed gently back and forth.
“What did your brother farm?” Blake asked.
“Not entirely sure,” Jay replied. “But I know he had chickens.”
“Oh, I’d love some eggs,” Whitney said placing her palm to her stomach. “I’m sick of all the processed junk. I need some real food.”
Blake held out his hand in a sweeping motion toward the house. His eyes were on Jay. “Lead the way.”
“Oh, right. I guess that does make the most sense,” Jay said touching the back of his pants where he’d hid his gun.
We didn’t make it more than ten steps before a man and a woman stepped out of the front door. The man had hair as white as cotton balls and the woman’s hair was unnaturally dark as if she’d dyed it a color that was much too young for her age.
They were both casually holding shotguns. Neither of them had their weapon aimed at us, they were too busy staring at Jay as if they’d seen a ghost.
I stepped in front of Maddie protectively. The dark circles under her eyes seemed unusual on the sunny day. She looked as though she was in desperate need for another nap.
“Joey? Is that you?” the man said confusion stretching his mouth into an awkward diagonal across his face.
“No, it’s Jay. We’ve met before,” he said taking a step closer to them. “Joey’s brother.”
The man cleared his throat and set down his weapon, resting it on the side of the home next to the front door. “Yes, yes. I forgot how much the two of you look alike. Haven’t seen you in quite some time.”
“What are you doing here?” Jay asked.
“We made the drive out when shit hit the fan,” the woman said, still staring at Jay. Her spine was straight as a flagpole. “Your brother isn’t here. He’s not with us any longer.”
Jay nodded. “I had a feeling he wouldn’t be.”
“Izzy is gone too,” the man said. “They got sick shortly after we arrived. They tried to help a neighbor.”
“It’s a miracle we didn’t get it too,” the woman said.
“It’s a miracle any of us didn’t get it,” Jay said gesturing over his shoulder.
The woman’s grip was tight on her gun as she studied us. She was checking to make sure we didn’t seem sick.
“We didn’t think anyone would come out this way,” the woman said.
“Joey liked to keep things well stocked,” Jay said. “We need to replenish a few of our supplies. We won’t be in the area long.”
“Well,” the man looked into his wife’s eyes. After a long pause, he finished his thought. “You’re welcome to stay, of course. We’ve got more than enough and plenty of space in this big home.”
Jay looked at Blake. Surprisingly he gave them a small nod.
“We’ll stay for a bit,” Jay said. “Thanks for your hospitality.”
“Well, I guess you have as much right to be here as we do,” the older man chuckled, stopping when his wife elbowed him in the side. “Come on it. No reason to stand out here any longer than we need to.”
“Don’t worry,” Jay said keeping his voice low. “They’re good people. Maybe a bit judgmental but otherwise normal.”
Blake didn’t take his eyes off the couple. “I’m not too worried about them.”
They walked up the wooden steps that had been painted in gray somewhat recently… possibly even after the virus had spread. Inside, the older man stuck out his bony hand toward Jay.
“It’s been a while, Jay, right?” the man said.
“That’s right,” Jay said pointing at each of us as he recited our names to the couple. The older man didn’t seem like he was going to bother to remember our names. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Overton. The parents of my brother’s wife.”
“Nice to meet you,” Blake said politely.
The woman gestured at the couch that looked as though it couldn’t have been more than a month or two old. Based on the delicate glass lamps and other furnishings, I surmised that Joey and his wife hadn’t bothered to have children. And also, they hadn’t been poor.
“Make yourselves at home,” the woman said forcing a smile that made her lips look like they’d been drawn on with a thin red marker. “If you need anything, just let me know. Patricia. Call me, Patricia.”
“And I’m Ollie,” her husband said smiling something a bit more genuine than what his wife had offered us. “Can we get you something to drink? Must be thirsty after all that driving.”
“Water would be nice,” Blake said.
Ollie nodded. “We’ve got other options.”
“Waters good,” Blake said.
Both Ollie and Patricia left the room together… leaving us standing there in an uncomfortable silence.
“I told you we should have kept going,” Maddie said after a long moment. She sighed and pressed her hand to her forehead.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I’m just so tired,” Maddie said. “My body just aches from sitting in the car for so long.”
Blake leaned closer to her, wearing a half-grin. “I guess maybe it’s a good thing we stopped so you could get out and stretch your legs.”
Maddie didn’t seem to appreciate his sense of humor at the moment. She also didn’t bother to shoot him some kind of snappy comeback.
“Sit down,” I said taking Maddie’s elbow as I guided her to the couch.
The others joined us in the living room in an attempt to make ourselves at home. Maddie was on one end of the couch and I sat down next to her. Blake lowered himself to my right. Whitney stood there for several seconds as if she were waiting for him to make room for her.
After a while, she gave up and Whitney plopped down heavily in the tall-backed chair to the side of the
couch. Jay stayed on his feet, pacing with his arms cross in front of us.
“Are you nervous?” I asked keeping my voice low.
“No,” Jay said. “It’s not a big deal. They’ll let us take some stuff. We can leave tomorrow after we get some rest. Seems like Maddie needs a good night’s sleep in a bed.”
“She just slept in a bed at your place,” I said unable to feel just a bit concerned about Maddie’s exhaustion.
Maddie sighed. “That’s exactly what I need. Once we get to Polly, I hope to never have to ride in a car ever again.”
Ollie and Patricia came back into the room. Patricia was carrying a tray with five glasses of water. She stopped in front of each of us and gave us a glass.
Maddie only took a small sip before setting it down on the coffee table.
“Oh,” Patricia said quickly grabbing the glass. She placed it on top of a decorative tile. “Always use a coaster. My daughter would lose her mind if this heirloom table got a water ring.”
“Sorry,” Maddie said leaning back on the couch and resting her head back.
“No problem,” Patricia said. “Just take care with the furniture.”
An awkward silence filled the room. Jay continued to pace while the Overton’s stood there staring at us.
Patricia cleared her throat. “Would you like a tour of the house? Or maybe you’d just like to see the bedrooms?”
“Just the bedrooms will be fine,” I said unable to take my eyes off of Maddie.
“Follow me,” Patricia said.
We followed her up the stairs single file. I felt like I was in a movie as I walked up the white carpeted stairs as my fingertips dragged along the varnished wooden banister.
The outside was an ordinary farmhouse. Inside, it was a luxury mansion.
At the top of the stairs, Patricia cocked her head to the side. “This way.”
Chapter Eleven
Maddie looked small in the king-sized bed with the big fluffy comforter on top. She was already asleep but, of course, I couldn’t sleep.
The house was quiet.
What Remains Series (Book 3): Infected Page 5
