“Go ahead,” Lisa said.
For the better part of an hour, Nadia hacked into the zombie’s skull with various tools, testing the thickness all around before moving on to its body. With a saw, she dissected its limbs and studied the tendons, before moving on to the skin and muscle. With a fine paring knife, she cut into the flesh, ignoring the squelching sounds and blood spatter. When she opened the abdomen, fetid air ballooned out followed by the rush of innards as they fell through the hole and onto the ground. Behind her, Cat lost her lunch, and even Lisa looked nauseous, but Nadia ignored them both and shoved her hands into the cavity.
A keen student of biology, she knew more than most average people did about human physiology and was able to pick up on a few things. What she found was interesting. The zombie’s bones were definitely stronger, if not thicker. As Dr. Lange had theorized, the infected had reached a point beyond decay, and the evolving virus had taken steps to safeguard its precious host. The skin and muscle were drying out, becoming leathery, almost mummified, while the organs were shriveled and useless, the blood like thick sludge.
Though still slow and clumsy, the undead were undoubtedly tougher, and their heads were no longer so vulnerable to piercing weapons. Except for guns, of course. No bone could withstand a bullet.
Their senses had changed too. While the eyeballs were dry and milky, blind, in fact, the zombie seemed to sniff the air whenever they were near. Nadia tested this by blindfolding it and waving her hand in front of its face. It unerringly followed her hand around with its nose, confirming her suspicions. Finally, she was finished and packed up her stuff after squeezing a bottle of water over her bloody hands and arms.
“I’m done. Let’s head back, guys.”
“What about him?” Cat said, pointing at the zombie that now looked like a raw slab of meat. Her pale face spoke volumes, and Nadia knew she’d thrown up several times throughout the procedure.
“I’ll take care of him,” Lisa said, stabbing the unfortunate infected through the eye, before cutting him loose to crumple to the ground.
“We can dispose of the bodies tomorrow. For now, let’s just get home,” Nadia said.
“Amen to that,” Cat cried, hurrying away.
They walked back to the hotel, and after a hot bath and supper, set about looking for Kevin’s possible stash of weapons. They found it in a locked room and had to force the door open. A cabinet against the wall housed a couple of rifles and shotgun as well as a few handguns. Boxes of ammo rounded off the selection. It was a good find, not as much as Nadia had hoped but enough for a start.
Afterward, they retired to their beds, and during the next few days, they settled into a simple routine. Patrolling in the morning, weapons making and training, hand to hand combat, strength exercises, gun practice, followed by a late afternoon patrol. Mixed in between were their regular chores and raids. Most days they were too busy to even think let alone dwell on their circumstances.
Nights were spent discussing possible scenarios and scenes, working out a system that would ensure their safety, and arguing about ways to escape should the worst happen. Plan after plan did the rounds, each crazier than the last. It brought the three closer together too, as they learned each other’s way of thought, a bonus side effect.
For Nadia, this was a good time. From the morning when she rolled out of bed to the night when she collapsed into it, she had little time to mourn her losses or even think about the past. The only problem was the nightmares. That and the rage. It was the one thing that never went away, simmering in her breast day after day.
It was during a raid at a pharmacy that she found her solution. A bottle of tranquilizers stashed in the back. After checking that no one else saw, she tucked it into her bag. Now, sleep would no longer elude her, and her days could be spent feeling calmer, and not as though she were a simmering volcano about to explode. Neither Cat nor Lisa would approve, but they don’t need to know. Nobody needs to know.
Chapter 10 - Cat
Six weeks later…
Cat shifted from one side to the other, her perch on top of the office building an uncomfortable one. A pebble dug into her side, but she ignored it, focusing instead on the comings and goings of the small group of survivors they’d found.
So far, she counted thirteen people including two kids and a teen. About a third of the adults were women. The rest were men of varying ages, and they’d holed up in a mall on the edge of the town they now found themselves in. Cat couldn’t be bothered to remember the name. Somethingville or other.
She’d been watching them for two days now, and she was about ready to report back to base with her findings. A quick glance at her watch told her she had enough daylight left to make it back. “Thank, God. I was not looking forward to another night spent up here. Besides, Nadia and Lisa should be almost finished by now as well.”
Taking care not to reflect the sun off her binocular lenses, Cat lowered and capped them before packing her meager belongings into her rucksack. Bent over low, she made her way toward the fire escape at the back of the building and looked down. All clear.
With sure steps, she flew down the stairs and sprinted down the alley, one hand on her pistol, the other on her hatchet. The way was clear, though, and she ducked through the side streets and alleys with ease, having memorized the area a while ago.
It wasn’t long before she found their base, a block of flats that edged onto a big empty field. The place was derelict and empty, long since marked for demolition. Graffiti and rubbish littered the area and several rats darted out of her way as she raced up the stairs.
Their home, if it could be called that, was the third one on the left and the nicest of the lot, which wasn’t saying much. At least, the door was sturdy and could be locked from within. A small bonus.
Cat paused and tested the handle. Locked.
She raised her fist and knocked once, paused, then knocked three times more before waiting. Moments later, a key turned in the lock and the door swung open to reveal a smiling Nadia.
“You’re back,” Nadia said as they embraced.
“You betcha,” Cat replied with a happy smile. “Plus, I’m starving. I hope you’ve got something warm to eat.”
Nadia gestured toward the small fire she had going in the corner, the flames tiny and feeble, while the smoke escaped through a hole in the wall. A tree covered the hole, though, hiding both the smoke and fire from outside view. “There’s coffee on. Black, lots of sugar, and there’s a can of spaghetti in tomato sauce you can have.”
“Great,” Cat replied, dropping her rucksack and scooping up the can with a fork. “So tell me. What did you find?”
“Let’s wait for Lisa, shall we? That way we can all share at once.”
Cat shrugged. “Sure. I’m just glad to be off that roof.”
“I hear you. I slept in the back seat of a mini for two nights.” Nadia’s face twisted. “That was not fun. I swear I’ve shrunk three inches since then.”
Cat laughed, and Nadia joined in, but Cat soon noticed that her laughter seemed forced, and she studied her friend more closely as they talked. Nadia had changed, there was no doubt about it. Since they’d formed their newfound purpose, she’d rallied, or seemed to, at least. She’d joined in with gusto, helping to create the system according to which they worked as well as instituting fail-safes in case of an emergency.
This was the third group they’d found by now. The first two were small, consisting of little more than a family or two who’d banded together. In each case, they’d scouted out the group in advance before sending one of their number out to approach the group while the other two remained hidden and acted as their backup.
Each time, they’d been successful. The survivors were decent people who wanted nothing more than to live safe, ordinary lives and were pathetically grateful for the chance offered them by Nadia, Cat, and Lisa. It was the kind of thing that made you feel good, knowing you were saving lives and bettering futures, or at least, that’s
how Cat felt.
Now she looked at Nadia, noting the purple shadows underneath her eyes and the lines around her mouth and she wondered. Was Nadia happy with the status quo? Was she as fulfilled by their job as Cat was? Or was she just acting? Maybe she’s just tired. It’s been a tough week. This group is a lot bigger than the other two and carries more risk too.
Cat finished her spaghetti and poured herself a cup of coffee, offering Nadia a second. They sat around the tiny fire, nursing their drinks by the flickering flames.
“Do you think Lisa will come back tonight?” Cat asked.
“I don’t think so. It’s late already, and she had further to travel than you and I,” Nadia answered.
“How have you been? Everything okay?” Cat asked, risking Nadia’s ire. She tended to get huffy when either Cat or Lisa pried, telling them she was fine and to mind their own business. To Cat’s surprise, Nadia hesitated, her eyes falling to the ground while her mouth worked. “Nadia? You know you can tell me anything, right?”
“I know.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” Nadia replied. “I haven’t been sleeping well for a while now. I get terrible nightmares.”
“About?”
“Nothing much,” Nadia said, looking away. “Logan, Caleb. You know.”
“I understand. It must be hard for you,” Cat said, though she got the feeling Nadia was being evasive.
“I miss them,” Nadia admitted. “All the time. Plus the guilt is eating me up.”
“Guilt? What do you feel guilty for? You didn’t have anything to do with their deaths.”
“I know, it’s just…never mind. Forget I said anything. I’m lonely, that’s all. I wish I could take back that day.” Nadia brushed a tear from her cheek before running her hand through her short hair. She’d given in, at last, and allowed Lisa to cut away the black edges, and she looked a lot younger now with the short, blonde locks that framed her face.
“It’s okay. I’m here for you,” Cat said, reaching out to squeeze Nadia’s hand. “Whenever you feel lonely, just remember that.”
“Thanks, Cat. You really are my best friend,” Nadia whispered.
That night, as they curled up next to the fire, Cat watched her friend’s sleeping face. She looked so different with the grief and anger wiped away. Innocent.
What did she mean by guilt? Surely, it’s got nothing to do with Logan or Caleb. Cat shook her head. No, this is different. This is something else. But what?
Cat fell asleep no closer to the answer but determined nonetheless to figure it out. I will help her to get over this. Like all the times before. Whatever it takes.
***
The next day, Cat prepared a quick breakfast, putting a bit aside for Lisa should she show up early enough. Nadia slept later than normal which was unusual, but Cat put it down to exhaustion. She’s probably just tired.
When she proceeded to tidy up their things, though, her eyes fell on a bottle of pills nestled among Nadia’s clothes. With a frown, she picked it up and looked at the label. One hand flew to her mouth as she smothered a gasp. “Nadia, no. Tranquilizers?”
“What are you doing?” Nadia said from behind her.
Cat whirled, dropping the bottle. The top popped off and a ton of tiny white tablets flew in all directions. “Sorry, I was just…”
Nadia glared at her. “Are you scratching in my stuff? How dare you?”
Cat tried to form an answer, but nothing escaped her lips as Nadia dropped to her knees to gather up the little pills. “I…I…”
Nadia scooped up the last few and put the cap back onto the bottle. As she got to her feet, she snarled at Cat. “Stay out of my things.”
Cat reached out a hand. “Nadia, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“Whatever,” Nadia said, stuffing the bottle back into her backpack. “Just forget about it.”
Cat stared at Nadia, chewing her bottom lip. “Nadia. I’m your friend. Your best friend. Don’t you feel that anymore?”
Nadia froze, her shoulders stiff. Finally, she slumped. “Of course, I do, Cat. It’s just…I can’t stand another lecture, okay?”
“Lecture?”
“I know I’m fucked up, all right? I know my history, what I’m capable of, but I can’t do this on my own. I need these pills, or else I’ll go crazy.”
“But you’re not alone. You never were. I’m here for you. So’s Lisa. You can talk to us any time you want.”
“I know that, but it’s not enough.” Nadia raised a tortured face toward Cat. “These pills…they help me stay in control.”
“What do you mean?”
“Without them, the anger is just too much. I can’t handle it, and I need an outlet. I’ll either go nuts and start killing zombies left, right, and center, cut myself, drink, go mad, or…”
“Or…?” Cat asked, afraid to know the answer.
“Or I’ll kill myself.”
“Nadia, no.”
Nadia shook her head, her lips set in a stubborn line. “Let me be, Cat. I’ll deal with this my own way.”
Recognizing the futility of arguing further, Cat sighed and nodded. “Just remember one thing. I’m here for you. Whenever you need me.”
Nadia managed a faint smile. “I know. I could always count on you. No matter what.”
Silence fell over the two after that, thick with unspoken words and emotions, so it was with relief that Cat welcomed Lisa back. “You’re here.”
Lisa tossed down her overnight bag. “Ugh, I know. Thank God. It’s been an awful three days without you two.”
“Are you hungry?” Cat asked.
“Starving.”
“There’s food by the fire. Coffee too.”
“Thanks.” Lisa fell onto the waiting plate, devouring the scant offerings within seconds. “We really need to stock up on supplies soon.”
“Agreed,” Nadia said. “We’re out of everything.”
“So? How did you guys do? I hope your news is as good as mine,” Lisa said after pouring each of them a cup of coffee and passing it around.
“My two nights were uneventful,” Cat said. “I watched them from the roof of the neighboring building and spotted nothing strange or alarming. They look pretty normal to me. The women are treated as equals, and they’ve got kids in the bunch too. One guy appears to be a former cop, judging by the remnants of his uniform.”
Lisa nodded. “Good to know. Nadia?”
“Same here. I saw nothing bad or out of the ordinary. I overheard a few conversations. It was mostly about survival. What they were going to do, where they were going to go. Their stores are pretty lean too. They’re living from hand to mouth,” Nadia reported, her voice dull and disinterested. “Weapons, as well. It’s mostly handmade stuff sprinkled with a few firearms. I’d guess they’re running out of ammo.”
Lisa nodded. “It all fits together nicely, I trailed them back a bit. No bodies. Nothing to suggest anything other than a small group of people trying to live during the zombie apocalypse.”
“Excellent. So when do we approach them?” Cat asked, leaning forward on her elbows.
“Tomorrow? I’ve got a good spot picked out already,” Lisa said.
“Sounds good,” Cat agreed. “Nadia? You in?”
“Of course,” Nadia answered, but once more, Cat noticed her decided lack of enthusiasm.
That night, after they’d discussed the particulars of their plan, she cornered Nadia. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you still with us? I mean, with the whole saving people thing?”
Nadia sighed. “Cat? Can’t you just let me be for once?”
“I’m trying to help, that’s all.”
“Well, quit it. I’m good, and I’m still with you two. Isn’t that enough? Do I have to jump for joy too?”
“I’m worried. You’re my friend, Nadia. I want you to be happy,” Cat said.
“Enough!” Nadia cried, causing Lisa to look in th
eir direction with a frown. She lowered her voice to a fierce whisper. “Enough, Cat. I’ve got my own issues to deal with. Too many to care about yours.”
Cat watched as Nadia stalked away to sit in the corner by herself. She knew enough to know not to try any further. She’d already pushed Nadia far enough that day. It didn’t mean she was giving up, though. Because that’s what friendship meant. Never giving up.
Chapter 11 - Nadia
Nadia brought her ice ax down on the infected woman’s skull with terrific force. The sharp point sank in with ease, killing the zombie instantly. Her new favorite weapon, she’d found the ice ax in a former doctor’s house who’d had a thing for mountaineering. It had replaced her now useless t-bar’s. With its rubber grip and superior force, the ax far outstripped any other piercing she’d tried. There was always the possibility that it could get stuck, though, which was why she carried a hammer as a back-up.
A cry alerted her that Cat was in trouble, and she whirled to look. A crawler had snuck up on her friend and was trying to take a bite from her calf. Cat danced around, evading the snapping teeth while grappling with another zombie who had her by the shoulder.
Nadia launched herself forward and speared it through the crown, jerking her arm backward to yank it away from Cat who used the opportunity to kill the crawler too. Lisa decapitated one undead with a swing of her machete before taking the last zombie down with a backhand blow that lodged the big blade in its temple.
She grinned at Nadia, flashing a set of white teeth. “That’s the last one.”
Good riddance,” Nadia said, kicking the nearest corpse in the ribs. “Let’s get rid of the bodies.”
A few minutes later, Nadia was crouched behind a low concrete wall, her AK-47 primed and ready for action. The machine gun packed a punch, but it also made an awful racket, so it was mostly for show. Across from her, Cat was likewise sitting behind a barrier of old dustbins, rubbish strewn across the sidewalk.
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