Daisy and the Dead | The Complete Series | Books 1-6

by Bale, Sarah

  Two hours. That’s all the separated us from our home. It was a crazy feeling after everything that we’d been through.

  We got into our cars. I laughed as Grey strapped the crib onto the top of his jeep before hopping into his own vehicle. Elijah led the way as we got onto the highway. We passed what was left of an old gas station that sat on the west side of the road.

  Elijah pointed to it and said, “That’s where I used to get all my junk food before going to the Wichita Mountains.”

  Coop laughed. “Me, too. And a drink from Sonic.” He paused. “God, I’d give anything for a cup of their ice.”

  It was strange what you’d randomly miss in the apocalypse. Like a cup of ice. But, I totally understood how he felt. Because I would probably pass out of I stumbled across a pumpkin spice latte.

  We sped down the highway. The Wichita Mountains came into view and I laughed.

  “That’s a mountain? Seriously?”

  Elijah grinned. “It’s our version of one.”

  It was more like a big hill, but I didn’t comment. Instead, I took in the view before me. The mountain, or hill, sat to the west. The grass grew high on both sides of the road and bits of red and yellow peeked through the grass.

  “Are those sunflowers?”

  Cooper said, “Aren’t they beautiful?”

  They really were, but it also made me sad for some reason.

  We sped along the road, passing tiny towns with unusual names. And then a sign came into view that made my heart pound. Oklahoma City: Twenty Miles.

  Reaching out, I took Elijah’s hand.

  “Are you ready for this?”

  He rolled his shoulder. “No.” He paused. “But you’re right. There’s no sense in putting this off.”

  “Do you have a plan?”

  He let out a laugh. “Well, I don’t think we can just drive up to the hospital.”

  I didn’t take his tone personally. I knew how hard this was for him. And he had to be worried after everything he’d gone through at their hands. He’d be crazy not to be concerned.

  “Didn’t they used to have their own camp?”

  Elijah nodded. “Yeah, but I imagine they’re living at the hospital now. Wyatt’s men were never good at taking care of their home.”

  “But I’m sure someone still lives at their old home. Wyatt doesn’t seem like the type of person to let a piece of property go.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that, to be honest.” He thought for a moment. “That might work.”

  He put his blinker on and pulled over. The rest of the vehicles did the same. Everyone gathered. The tension in the air bounced off everyone.

  “Daisy just gave me a good idea.” He shot me a smile. “When we get to the City, we’re going to the old building Wyatt lived in.”

  Grey raised his eyebrows. “Huh. That’s actually pretty clever. Plus, they won’t be expecting us that way.”

  Elijah nodded. “Exactly. We get there and tell whoever is around to get Wyatt. That we want a meeting.”

  Grey glanced at Kat. “We can leave Kat and a few people at an undisclosed location with the vehicles and supplies until we know it’s safe.”

  “Great idea. Anyone want to volunteer?”

  Cooper raised his hand first and I bit back a smile. Faith was next. She’d been acting strange since leaving the base. Jo and Norm also raised their hands. Finally, Kat raised her hand, glaring at Grey.

  “I’m only doing this to keep my little monkey safe.”

  Grey closed the distance between them, pulling her into his arms for a kiss.

  Elijah waited to see if anyone else was going to volunteer before saying, “Let’s go. Be alert. If anything feels off then we get out of there.” To the ones staying behind he said, “Where we’re going is only twenty minutes away. If we’re not back by nightfall then you’ll know something bad has happened.”

  Jo’s face paled. “What do we do then?”

  Elijah replied, “Get the fuck out of Oklahoma.”

  It wasn’t the best speech he could’ve given to boost morale, but it was an honest one. Part of me wanted to say goodbye to the ones staying behind, just in case, but I didn’t. That’s not the vibe I wanted to put into the universe.

  We loaded up into two vehicles leaving our friends behind. Kat waved until we couldn’t see her in the mirrors anymore.

  Grey dabbed his eyes and said, “Hopefully Wyatt will want to talk.”

  I patted his shoulder over the seat and he gave me a grateful smile.

  Elijah replied, “Not getting my hopes up.”

  We pulled up to a massive building that looked like an old warehouse. Just glancing at it, it didn’t look ominous. But looks could be deceiving.

  We got out of our cars, guns out. The air was still, as if the wind was holding its breath.

  Elijah said, “I’ll knock.”

  I wanted to stop him, but Grey touched my arm. “This is how it has to be, Daisy. Elijah is the only one who can do this. The rest of us are just bait.”

  He was right, but I didn’t like it. All I could think about was that these people were the same ones that had hurt him. Twice. Took our home. And killed our friends.

  Elijah reached the very normal looking door and knocked.

  Nothing happened for what felt like forever. And then the door opened. A man, who I’d never seen before, stood there, gun pointed at Elijah’s chest. A million different thoughts crossed my mind, none of them good.

  Elijah said, “I’m here to talk to Wyatt.”

  “That so?”

  “Yes.”

  The man stared at Elijah and finally said, “Step off the porch and I’ll get someone for you.”

  The door closed and Elijah came over to us.

  “That was strange,” I said in a low tone.

  Before, I hadn’t felt like anyone was watching us. Now, it felt like there were at least a dozen eyes zoned in on us. Elijah glanced around, nodding.

  “He’ll let the others know we’re here.”

  The door opened and I gasped. There before my very eyes was Marianne, the bitch who had betrayed us. She stepped outside with several women behind her. I glared as she sauntered toward us, figure still curvy. Only she would manage to stay fed in the apocalypse. The other women didn’t appear to be faring as well.

  “Boss! Didn’t think we’d ever see you again.” She smirked. “Heard you met some trouble in Texas.”

  Elijah asked, “Where is Wyatt?”

  She pouted. “Aren’t you going to kiss me hello, lover?”

  My jaw actually ached.

  Grey touched my arm. “Don’t crack a tooth on that bitch’s account.”

  He was right. Marianne and Elijah had been together a very long time ago, before I was in the picture. This was just a mind game, much like the one my own cousin had tried to play.

  I stepped forward, putting myself between her and Elijah.

  “No. He’s not kissing anyone except for me.”

  She needed to know he was still taken. By me.

  She looked me up and down. “I’m really surprised to see you. Thought for sure your cousin would have killed you on sight.”

  “You thought wrong.”

  She obviously didn’t know what had happened in Texas, which was a good thing.

  I asked, “Where’s Wyatt?”

  An older man came from the building. His back was bowed and he relied on a cane to walk. And, not to be judgmental, but he looked meaner than a snake.

  “Girls, get your asses back inside. You know you ain’t supposed to be out here without chaperones.”

  Marianne’s face turned pink, but she did as the man said without another word to us. The other women followed her, heads bowed.

  I said to Grey, “Dude! I want that kind of power.”

  The man glared at us. “Women belong in the kitchen and should be silent and meek. You’ll do good to remember that.”

  What was it with some men still having that mindset? You would t
hink after the world fell apart men would realize that women were their equals. Even Elijah had treated women differently when I’d first met him. Luckily, he had learned from his mistakes.

  Elijah stepped in front of me, putting me out of sight. “Where is Wyatt?”

  “Wyatt’s dead.”

  We were all silent. I don’t think any of us expected that.

  The man went on, “I’m his cousin. Name’s Bobby.”

  Elijah nodded his head once. “You in charge here, Bobby?”

  “I am.”

  “Then you’re the man we need to talk to. Wyatt took something that belonged to me and I’m here to get it back.”

  Bobby snorted. “He always said you’d come back for revenge, if you didn’t die first. He’d be pissed to know he died a few weeks short of seeing his prophecy come true.”

  I asked, “How did he die, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  Bobby glanced at me. “Hunting accident.”

  Funny. I would have guessed poisoning or murder.

  Bobby went on, “One of our own men shot him. Said it was an accident, but there was a whore involved, so we can’t be sure.”

  That sounded right.

  Elijah said, “Sounds like he didn’t have very good control over his men.”

  Bobby shrugged. “Guess he learned the same lesson that you did.”

  “And that is?”

  “That you can’t trust anyone. Not even your own men.” Bobby smiled. “But, we’re not here to talk about how easily my cousin took over your place, now are we?”

  Elijah’s expression became neutral. “No. We’re not. We’re here to talk about you giving me my home back.”

  Bobby replied, “Done. Now get the fuck out of here.”

  Everyone was stunned.

  Elijah asked, “What?”

  Bobby waved his hand in the air. “I said you can have that shithole back. Now get out of here and don’t come back. We don’t want any beef with you and I expect the same in return.”

  He turned and went inside, letting the door slam behind him.

  Grey ran his fingers through his beard. “What in the fuck just happened?”

  I replied, “I think he just gave us our home back.”

  Elijah shook his head. “There has to be some kind of catch.”

  The door opened and a boy, who was probably ten, came out with a shotgun in hand. It would be comical, except for he cocked the gun, aiming it at our group.

  “My Pa said you have three minutes to get out of here before I get to use you for target practice.”

  Grey asked, “Boy, do you know why your Pa said we could have our old home back?”

  The boy nodded. “Pa says that place is cursed.”

  He quickly made the sign of the cross, shotgun dropping.

  Grey replied, “Seems legit. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

  We left Bobby’s property. The drive was silent as we made our way back to the others. They were waiting as we got out of our vehicles.

  Jo asked, “Well?”

  Elijah shook his head in disbelief. “Wyatt’s dead. His cousin said we could have the hospital back.”

  Kat asked, “Just like that?”

  Grey went to her side, pulling her close to his body. “He was a superstitious hillbilly. Thinks the hospital is cursed.”

  I said, “I just can’t believe he’s handing it over.”

  Cooper sighed. “I hate to be that person in such a beautiful and yet creepy moment, but there’s probably a reason they’re just giving it to us. Like, it’s not even there anymore.”

  I met Elijah’s gaze. I hadn’t thought of that.

  Elijah inhaled. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough. If we leave now, we’ll get there by nightfall.”

  Faith stepped forward. I noticed that her hand trembled as she pushed a piece of her hair from her face.

  She said, “I won’t be going with you.”

  Jo gasped. “Faith! You have to come! We’ve made it this far-”

  “I’ve been bitten.”

  Norm went to her side. “When?”

  “Back at the army base.”

  She met my gaze and I felt the blood drain from my face. It was the biter that had been in the nursery. She’d said I was being reckless. I just hadn’t put it together.

  She held out her arm, pulling up the sleeve to her jacket. There was a bite mark on her wrist. The skin was inflamed and there were already black lines following her veins.

  Elijah cursed. “Why didn’t you say anything? I could have cut your-”

  “That’s not what I wanted.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I’m not meant for this world. You know it. I know it. It’s because of Jo and Norman that I made it this far.”

  Jo wiped her own tears away. “That’s not true, Faith. We are all here because we helped each other out.”

  Faith smiled. “It’s okay, Jo. I’ve made my peace. I just hope you can, too.” She turned to me. “You have to promise me something.”

  I replied, “Anything.”

  “You have to promise that you’re not going to blame yourself for this. It’s not your fault.”

  It was hard to believe that.

  “Daisy, promise me.”

  I nodded. “I promise.”

  “Good.” She exhaled loudly before turning to Elijah. “I’m sorry I won’t see the hospital.”

  He said, “You could still come with us.”

  “No. This is a good place to die.” She paused. “I do have a favor to ask.”

  “Anything.”

  She replied, “Leave me a gun.”

  A sob worked its way up my throat, but I refused to let it out. I stepped forward and handed her my pistol.

  “Thank you, Daisy.”

  Elijah said, “One of us can stay behind with you.”

  “No. I don’t want that.” She glanced up to the sky. “Better hurry if you want to get to the hospital while the sun’s still up.”

  Norm and Jo said their goodbye’s to Faith. She smiled at me as I got into the car. Elijah put his hand over mine as we drove away. I’m not sure if it was my imagination, but I thought I heard a gun fire.

  “You okay?”

  I shook my head. “No. I’m not.”

  I’d lied to Faith back there. This was my fault. And I would have to live with that for the rest of my life. Elijah was silent, but squeezed my hand. Because when it came down to it he knew how I felt. Sometimes you just had to live with the guilt. That’s the world that we lived in now.

  6

  DAISY

  It was strange traveling back to the hospital. We passed the old house that Elijah had once used as a place to escape to when he needed time alone. The house was burned to the ground and the gardens no longer existed. Elijah met my gaze, frowning. I gave him a weak smile in return.

  We turned down the road that would lead us home. Burned cars lined each side of the street and biters roamed aimlessly around.

  “We’re going to have to clear the area out once we get situated,” I said.

  It wouldn’t do to have this many of the Dead around. They would be drawn to the noise we’d make and then we would be in trouble.

  Elijah nodded. “Agreed.”

  Finally, the gates came in sight. I don’t know what I had been expecting, but this wasn’t it. For a moment I thought this couldn’t be the same place. I knew it was, though, because I would recognize those gates anywhere. They had been beacons of hope when Elijah and his men had found me. Later, they had symbolized the death of a friend and the end of my safe home as we had fled. Now, they were barely hanging and ridden with bullet holes.

  We parked so we could open gates. Everyone got out of their vehicles and looked around.

  Norm asked, “You sure this place is worth it?”

  He had never seen the hospital in its prime, so there was no way he could understand the potential.

  Elijah nodded. “Yeah. I’m sure.”

  Grey clapped Elijah on the bac
k. “I’m ready when you are, Boss.”

  Elijah smiled and said, “Let’s do this. Cooper, you drive my car.”

  Elijah and Grey pushed the gates open. One creaked and moaned, barely hanging on. They led the way to the next set of gates, which were as damaged as the first. The cars followed us.

  Grey said, “This is an easy fix.”

  We made our way through the second gate and they closed it behind us. The houses in the connecting addition still stood, though some looked like they had been burned.

  Elijah said, “Let’s go to the hospital first. If it’s still standing then we can see if anyone has hung around.”

  We walked up the road. Debris and litter lined the path. The grass grew high, almost to our waists. It appeared that no one had been around in a very long time. We turned the corner and stopped. There before us was our old home.

  I took Elijah’s hand. “It’s still there. That’s a good sign.”

  He nodded and moved forward. The building showed signs of damage, but the roof was still intact, minus a few of the Spanish tiles that had been shot out as we’d fled. I saw the exact spot that Elijah, Juan, and I had escaped from the roof and tears filled my eyes. That was one of the last moments I’d spent with Juan before he died.

  The group parked the vehicles and everyone came to where we stood.

  Jo put her arm around my shoulders. “You okay?”

  I nodded, but couldn’t speak. If I did, I would cry and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to stop. And the last thing I wanted to do was worry Elijah and the others.

  Elijah and Grey went around the building to make sure it was secure. I hated that he wouldn’t let us come with him, but I knew this was something he needed to do on his own.

  Jo said, “I can see the potential here. It feels safe, even with the damage.”

  I replied, “We thought it was safe before, but we were wrong.”

  My tone was flat and I couldn’t help it. I only spoke the truth.

  Kat shook her head. “You weren’t wrong, Daisy. This place is safe. It just needs a security boost.”

  Cooper nodded. “If we build a guard tower like the one Theo did-” His voice wavered. “What I mean is there’s hope here.”

  Kat hugged him, knowing how much he missed his lover. My one regret from leaving Texas was not making Theo come with us. But, he was stubborn and refused to leave.