I never lost my temper, but Roth grated on my nerves. To think he was in charge, and that we would do what he wanted when his only instinct was saving his own sorry ass! Breathing through my nose, I tried to control myself. Losing it would do none of us any good. I needed my brain to be clear and think. It had been anything but clear with Jaime so close. My mind wanted him at every dang turn. I had lived my whole life invisible, avoiding the spotlight, and being a reluctant leader. I was not used to any of these emotions I suppressed for all of my seventeen years. How the hell are we going to get through this town? There are at least twenty zombies I can see, a few bodies in the road, two cars sat in the road abandoned with doors flung open, and all the debris. At least Roth had gone quiet. I looked out the window again for an answer, and then I saw it.
“Hale, you said you were a sniper in the military, right?” I said trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.
“Yes ma’am, private of the United States Marine Corps.” The pride came off him in waves.
“Can you hit that water tower?” I asked, pointing to the grayish-blue tower on the other side of town behind one shop, barely visible in the thick trees.
His eyebrows wrinkled, and he put one finger to his eye and then said, “You bet your dairy aire I can.”
Good, that was one thing down.
“Can you break through to the water?”
“Well, Missy, I would need a high-powered rifle or a grenade launcher. I get what you are on about and I could do it, but I don't got no gun. Back at home, old Shelby sitting on my fireplace could.” Hale’s eyes glazed over in that far away thinking.
I had not thought about needing the right kind of gun. Anger rose up again. I was supposed to be this genius. I was acting like a mere normal teen.
“How about this one?” Jaime pulled a gun out of his bag. It gleamed in the fading daylight like a present.
“Now you’re talking, boy.” Hale took the gun greedily.
“Where did you get that?” I whispered, looking at the grenade launcher.
His mouth grazed my ear. “Back at the roadblock with the military trucks.”
I resisted the urge to shiver. His words were like an electric bolt to my senses.
“Someone else will have to drive while Hale hits the water tower, and you best be sure some of the zombies will hear the shot this way. If we can break the water tower to distract them, we can get past the town. The rest need to be on lookout and zombie-killing duty.”
I looked at each face mentally telling them we might not survive. I landed on Jaime's last, I couldn't read the look on his face. A blank stare covered up whatever I saw in the next instance.
“Well, you should drive since this is your stupid plan,” Roth said, sitting back into the bed of the truck crossing his arms.
“I can’t.”
The one thing I had never had learned was how to drive. My step-father would never allow me near his precious vehicle, and I had the bus. UVA had an immaculate transit system. I did not need to drive.
“You saying Miss Perfect here can’t drive?” Roth laughed.
“No, I cannot drive.” I hated he was right, and my faults showed.
Brandi reached over the seat to press her hand to my shoulder. “I can drive.”
I just nodded my head because I did not want to let on that the group knowing I couldn't drive hurt. I was supposed to be the all-knowing, all-seeing, and here I was lacking in their eyes. Brandi climbed over the seat, and we all adjusted to make room. I would have climbed in the back, but being close to Roth I might as well give in to his negative attitude. Julia sat in the middle of the back seat with Connor asleep in her lap, unaware of the danger lurking outside the truck. I envied him, the innocence to be a kid. Julia didn't look like she was handling this well at all. Her face leeched of color, with the dim expression of defeat. Each line more prominent than they had been when we first got on the bus together. She had pulled her hair back into a bun, and the little make-up she had been wearing long washed away. Her eyes were what made my stomach clench, the light-green that had been there just yesterday now produced no light—dull green eyes wide with fear and shock I assumed gazed out the window. She didn't really focus on anything. She was giving up inside, and I knew that look because I once felt that exact same way.
My step-father had been the doting dad Brandi and I had always wanted before my mother married him. After they got married, he had taken to beating us regularly. Little things at first, a pull of the arm or a slap on the leg, turned into full-on beatings. Kicked in the stomach until we lay on the floor panting.
I had gone to my mother to tell her about the beatings, and she patted me on the head and said, “Violet, he is your father, and he knows what is best for you.”
I stood there staring at her, not believing she would not even listen or do anything. That she was giving her blessing for him to beat us. My heart that had been so full of hope broke. That night my step-father came, and the beating was the worst yet. My arm had broken in three places. My mother had told him what I had said, and this was retribution. The next day my mother had taken me to the hospital, and told them I had fallen off my bike. No one did a thing, and that was when I had given up, determined my life was over. I had turned into myself that day, cutting off the world around me. Only way I could come out of it was to start planning my escape when Jessica had been born. She had been my island, her little cherub face sleeping in my arms the day she was born seeped a piece of survival in my heart. Even with Jessica being gone, I would be fine now because I had learned life outside that house could be better. It was as if Jessica had trained me to survive no matter the case.
I would not let Julia give up on Connor or any of us. Reaching over the seat, I touched her hand. She looked over at me and I smiled.
Chapter Eighteen
Julia's face lit up a little, enough for me to know that I had reached her. She wasn't completely lost yet. I pulled my hand back over the seat. I didn't give my mind a chance to look at Jaime. He took the initiative, and climbed in the back opposite Julia. This allowed Brandi and Hale to swap seats with some effort. Tiffany being on Julia's other side could watch that window.
“Okay, let’s do this,” I said, pulling my gun up and rolling the window down.
“Brandi, my girl, I'm need to lean behind you to hit that tower. I can use the window to steady my shot,” Hale informed my sister.
She scooted up on the seat as far as she could, and that wasn't hard because her small frame was only slightly bigger than mine. That wasn't the only real similarity we shared, her hair had the same darkness, but as mine was almost black, hers leaned toward brown and had a more reddish hue. Her eyes were lighter than mine, a baby-blue. Her face differed in that it was shaped more like a heart with strong full lips. She rolled the window down for Hale, and he positioned himself with such experience I had no doubt he would do his job perfectly. Brandi put the truck in drive, and we all waited for Hale’s shot to ring out. It seemed like a lifetime of listening to the gurgles of the zombies roaming, and then the loudest boom! went through the truck.
The tower exploded and the water rushed out. The zombies reacted exactly how we wanted. They all turned, and ran toward the tower in hopes of a new victim. Brandi didn't waste any time, she floored the gas, jostling us all.
‘Sorry y’all.” She knew we needed to get out quick, but also safe.
She pushed on the gas with more ease this time, giving us a steady pace.
“It’s okay, let’s just make it through town,” I breathed.
As we eased our way into town, almost all of the zombies had abandoned the main street. I tried to avoid the dead. I did not want them in my nightmares. Brandi drove around one of the abandoned cars, and I had to close my eyes as they landed on a car seat. The truck bounced over what I guessed was a body.
“To your left, Roth.” Julia brought us all out of our daze, pointing out a zombie heading for us.
“Got it,” Roth said.
He aimed and missed on the first shot. The second hit the zombie’s cheek—blood, skin and that white ooze dripped out the wound. The zombie was almost next to the truck, and Roth shot another round. This time it went right through the eye socket, dropping the zombie to the ground.
The zombies must have heard the gunshots, and realized the water tower explosion held no humans, because a horde entered the street ahead of us.
“Be ready. This is going to get rough,” I said.
“Let’s do this shit!” Brandi said as she revved the engine.
We all held on and had our guns ready to shoot any zombies. Brandi let the brake go, and we launched at the pack in front of us. The first zombie hit the grill, and fell under the truck. A bump later, we were close to the main pack of zombies.
“Avoid hitting as many as we can, we don't want to have to find a new truck in this town of all places,” Jaime took over the lead.
I was grateful. Being in charge was draining. Gun aimed, I took out four, one shot for each. The others did the same, littering the zombies with bullet holes. When Brandi had us on top of the rest of the standing zombies, we held on for dear life as she took out any in our way. The old truck was more durable than I had anticipated. Only a few dents in the hood showed. Cars were just not made like this truck anymore; plastic replaced the solid metal frame. Give me a classic any day. I had a phase where I was obsessed with the design of cars, the intricate way something connected them made them an interest. Once I figured out all I knew, I moved on to other stuff. That’s why science was my passion. Something new was always being found to keep my attention.
On the other side of the town of Blackbird, we hit the road at a faster pace, and none of us looked back. Silence fell again. This seemed to be the normal for us. A small hissing sound caught my attention.
“Does anyone else hear that sound?” I asked the group.
I could see them all concentrating.
“I hear something, but I can’t make out what it is,” Jaime interjected.
“Me too,” Julia said.
Before anyone else could say they heard the hiss, the truck blew a tire, and Brandi swerved to keep the truck from crashing. We weren't that far from Blackbird, and my eyes drifted back toward the town.
Chapter Nineteen
My heart thudded as I watched the road to see if any zombies were coming. Brandi had pulled the truck over to the side of the road.
“We need to change the tire fast,” I informed them. “Brandi, you stay in the driver’s seat to get us out as soon as we get the tire changed. Julia, keep Connor settled.”
The kid had hardly noticed his surroundings since he had dozed off, but was awake now.
“Jaime can you cover me? I think I can change the tire,” I said.
Hale cut in before I could get out to check for the spare, “Girlie, I can change a tire in less than ten minutes, you stay put.”
I wanted to protest, but I could see that he needed this, needed to be needed. “Okay, Hale. Jaime and I will watch your back.”
“The spare should be under the bed of the truck in the back. Let’s get this here done.” Hale smiled over to us.
I saw nothing from the road behind us, and felt assured we were relatively safe—as safe as we could be in a zombie-infested world. Hale and I got out the passenger side while Jaime got out the back on the driver’s side. I didn't like it. He was exposed while his back-up was on the other side of the car. Looking around, I saw the forest and didn't like that either. I didn't like us so out in the open with no cover. I saw Jaime looking to the woods too. At least we both felt the same.
“Alrighty, kiddos, let’s get this show on the road,” Hale said as he hastened to the back of the truck.
“I got the back of the truck. Jaime, if you want to watch the front.”
He winked and went to the front of the truck.
“Hale, what’s the verdict?” He had gone quiet.
Coming to the rear of the truck, I… I— nooooo! The last zombie we ran over was on top of Hale chewing his shoulder. Hale was fighting, but he was losing. I just stood there dazed. My gun! I aimed for the zombie’s head that was lopsided from a large gash in his neck. I didn't want to hit Hale. The zombie in my sight, I shot—the zombie's head exploded. I had hit the top of its head, taking off its skull. The zombie turned its ashen face to me, that white drool mixed with Hale’s blood on its lips. I aimed again, and this time hit it right in the middle of its face. The zombie let out a gurgle, and slumped back on Hale.
Rushing to Hale, I kicked the zombie off with my boot. What was underneath turned my stomach. Hale lay there, holding his shoulder. I bent to take his other hand.
“Don't let me turn into one of them. Girlie, I should have done more, I saw the bruises. I knew someone was beating you, but I did nothing. Know, that I will regret that.”
Jaime had come up as Hale let my secrets slip. I would worry about that later.
“Hush, it’s okay. You’re going to be fine. We will get you help,” I lied, and hated myself for it.
“I can feel it taking me, girlie. I know I'm done for. I am okay with that, I get to see my beautiful wife again, just don't let me stay as one of them.”
I saw he had already accepted his death.
I turned to see Brandi had come out to see what we had shot at, while I could see the others in the window, fear on their faces. Even Roth.
“I won’t let you,” I told Hale as his eyes glazed over, becoming white like the rest of the zombies.
I stepped back, ready. In the next second Hale, my dear friend, was lunging for me with hunger. I didn't turn away—I had promised him. It only took one shot, and Hale fell. I let the tears trickle down my face. I didn't care who saw. Hale was probably my only friend in this life, and I had just murdered him.
The noise that came next was from behind us, from Blackbird. The zombie horde was coming.
“Violet,” Jaime said.
I knew I needed to get my shit together.
Checking under the truck for any more hitchhikers, it was all clear. I saw my worst nightmare. There was no spare. Standing.
“We are fucked.” I never cursed, but today was a really a good day to start.
Jaime looked under the truck. “No spare,” he told Brandi.
The gurgles and moans of the zombies grew louder. Soon, they would come into view and that was a meeting I would be glad to skip. Wiping my face on my sleeve, I sucked it up. Later. Always later.
“Get out the truck, and grab what you can, we need to move. Now!”
Roth jumped out with his bag and gun. Julia had Connor's hand and their backpack. Brandi had gone to the driver’s side and collected her stuff. Jaime threw his bag over his shoulder and handed me my bag as I stood guard.
“What’s your great plan now?” Roth interjected.
I saw Tiffany stood close to him. No cars or any place for us to hide. Only woods everywhere.
“Our best bet is the woods. If those zombies see us, we won’t survive. We need cover,” I said as I moved toward the trees.
Over my shoulder I saw they all followed.
Chapter Twenty
We walked into the woods in silence. Some fear, some hopelessness on their faces. We would make it. I wouldn't lose another person, not even pain-in-my-butt Roth. Julia had Connor by the hand, his tablet put away. She must have told him to keep quiet because he was not making a peep. Had he finally woken up to the fact we were on the run from zombies?
The moans grew as we walked through the dense woods. My face burned from the branches that scratched my face as we pushed into the woods, and I tried to make a path for the others. I would take the pain, it strengthened me. The daylight had turned to night as we walked, making it harder to see. The woods were quiet. Every now and again a snap or noise would break the dim sound of our heavy breathing. The group would stop, prepared, praying it wasn't the zombies. Each time it was an animal, squirrel, bird, or the settling of the forest.
/> For some time, the zombies’ moans disappeared. Had we lost them? I was not that naive to let myself believe we were safe. Curiosity got me thinking about the zombies. Did they need sleep or rest? Not that I wanted to think of the fat lady at the strip mall, but she showed some intelligence. All the movies I had ever seen of zombies showed them to be mindless creatures out for brains. Only one movie ever showed them to have some intelligence, I am Legend. Could the zombies be like that? The idea scared me.
“Can we take a break? My feet won’t go anymore,” Julia begged.
“Yeah, I'm exhausted too. It’s been hours since we left the truck,” Tiffany added.
It had been all day since I heard her, I almost forget she was there—almost. I had pushed them hard to keep moving.
“I know you all are tired, but do you think the zombies care? No. They want to eat your flesh like Hale’s!” The memory brought a hitch to my voice.
Jaime walked to me, I held up a hand. I was tough. I had lived through beating after beating. I would live through Hale’s death.
“They are right, Violet. We need a rest, to recharge. If not, we will be zombie meat,” he said softly.
His tall figure stood concealed by the dark woods. The moon was out, granting us some light. Even in the darkness he was handsome, regal. Nothing like me. I was rough around the edges, kept myself hidden, making myself small to not be noticed. One by one, I looked at the others, the weariness apparent in them. I was used to no sleep, a torture my step-father used to inflict on me. These people needed rest. I did not want to lose them to a zombie, but I didn't want to be like my step-father either. We would be no good if they were careless because they were tired.
“Okay, we will rest for a bit. I’ll take first watch. I want you all close together—that way I can watch over you, and if we are attacked, we fight as one, and run as one,” I said looking to Roth.
Other Side Page 7
