The Fall: The Apocalypse Diaries

by Brock, Dianah

  I took a step away from Randy, moving out of his grasp.

  “Randy, there can never be anything between us. We don’t live in a world where we can be in love. We are always looking over our shoulder, we live with guns on our belts, and knives in our boots.”

  “Amber, please...”

  “No. I’m not having this conversation with you anymore. Now please. Let’s get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” I said, turning away to go back into the room I shared with my daughter.

  “Can I at least go through here to get back to my room?” Randy asked.

  “Yes, Randy. Maybe you can get my son awake to open the door for you.” I said with a chuckle.

  “I’m glad you can laugh at a time like this.” Randy said.

  “I’m not trying to make light of your feelings Randy.” I informed.

  “No, I know that, but it would be nice if this would have went the way I thought it was going to go.” Randy commented.

  “We don’t live in a romance novel Randy.” I said calmly.

  “No, I guess we don’t.”

  With that, Randy left the room, and I was left standing alone.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The rest of the night was as sleepless as it began. I tossed and turned all night, and fought to keep my eyes closed, but it was useless. As if I didn’t have enough to worry about with my village, the conversation with Randy was also keeping me awake. I was angry at him for loving me. Things would be so much simpler if he looked at me as his Commander, and nothing more. Still, I knew that I could not change the way he felt, and I would have to deal with the agony in my soul at the realization that he was in love with me, and now acting upon it.

  I heard the knock on my door at 7:00 a.m.

  “Amber, time to get up. Let’s get a move on.” I recognized the voice as Jay Blackburn, the man that would serve as our guide, and get us back as close to Adairsville as he could. I kicked the covers off, and got out of bed. I went over to the bed where Tara slept. I reached down and pulled back the covers that she was engulfed in.

  “Ok sleepy head, it’s time to wake up.” I said as I shook her a bit. She groaned at me, and reached for the covers. I moved them further away.

  “No way chicky. It’s time to get out of bed. Let’s go.” I said. This time, Tara opened her eyes.

  “God, I was sleeping so well. What time is it?” she asked.

  “It’s a few minutes after seven.” I answered.

  “Ugh why can’t we wait a little while?”

  “The village may not have a little while. We have to get breakfast and head out.” I informed. Tara growled again, then kicked the covers off of her feet and got out of bed.

  “I will be glad when we get back so I can sleep in.” she said. I hated to burst her bubble, but that wasn’t going to happen.

  “Get your boots on and let’s get down to the dining room. We need a good solid breakfast before we head out.”

  Once Tara was ready, we left the room together. We came out of our room just as Randy and Trey came out of the room they shared beside of us. I looked at Randy, and our eyes met. I quickly turned away.

  “So how did you guys sleep?” I asked casually.

  “I slept great! I dreamed about killing zombies!” Trey stated all excited.

  “Speak for yourself kiddo. I slept rough.” Randy stated.

  “That makes two of us.” I replied, kind of hoping that Randy would realize I was blaming all of my lost sleep on him and the conversation he had forced me to have the night before.

  We all turned and made our way down the hallway to the elevator. I pressed the down button, and we stood there waiting.

  “So what were you and Randy arguing about last night?” Tara asked. Her question caught me off guard. I was sure she had gone back to sleep and couldn’t hear through the sliding glass door, but I knew now that I was wrong.

  “We weren’t arguing.” I said, trying to end this conversation as soon as possible.

  “Yes you were. I heard both of you yelling.” Tara replied.

  “It was nothing Tara. Your mom was worried about the village and got a little hysterical. You know how women are. Hell girl, you practically are one.” Randy said. I was thankful he had a better answer than I did, even if it did make me sound like a typical woman back when things weren’t so difficult and women were allowed to be women.

  “Right. I heard the word love way too much, but whatever.” Tara said as the elevator doors opened up.

  We all stepped into the elevator. This time, it was Randy that pushed the button to go down to the first floor.

  “It’s still really strange to be using electricity here.” I said.

  “Yeah? It’s like riding a bike for me.” Randy replied.

  “Yeah. I think once we have things settled back home, I’m going to lead a scouting mission to find another place with power and running water. It sure would make life a little easier.” I stated.

  “Yeah, as long as folks don’t get to comfortable and let their guard down.”

  Randy did have a point. Our hard way of life was one thing that kept our village on its toes. Sure, we had armed guards around the perimeter, but everyone within the walls were on guard as well. I didn’t want people to get so comfortable that they didn’t watch each other’s backs anymore.

  “There are good points and bad points to it, but I think it would be good to find a place with some civilization.” I said.

  “Yeah, we will just have to have one very long meeting before relocating everyone there.”

  “And, we would have to have room for growth. There will always be more survivors coming in.” I added.

  “That too. We will see what we can do about it when we get back to the village.” Randy stated.

  “Yeah.”

  The elevator doors opened and the four of us filed out of the elevator. We made our way down the hall to the front of the hotel. Jim was standing at the receptionist desk talking to Miranda. He turned and saw us.

  “And our guests have arrived. Breakfast is already before you guys head out.” Jim said.

  “Has Mark made it back yet?” I asked.

  “No not yet, but I am pretty sure he will be ok. That motorcycle will let him get around things better than a car. I’m sure he will make it back just fine.” Jim said.

  “Let’s hope so. I would hate for something to happen to him on my account.” I said.

  “Friends help friends Amber. You and your group will always be considered friends.” Jim said.

  The comment made me smile. It was nice to know that we had other friends out there. Jim and some of the members of his group were kind of crude, but still, they were good people. Even Jay Blackburn, who was probably the crudest of them all. A part of me wished he wasn’t our guide. There was something about that man that I didn’t like. I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly it was, but I didn’t like him. Still, I tried to still be grateful for his assistance.

  “Ok everyone, let’s go get some bacon and eggs.” Jim said as he led the way to the dining room.

  “Alright! Bacon!” Trey exclaimed as he took off ahead of the rest of the group. I couldn’t help but to laugh at him. He was entertaining at times. He was almost fifteen years old, but still acted as though he was ten at times. I cherished those moments. For that moment, it seemed like he would never grow up, and he would be my little boy forever, despite the fact that he could shoot better than some adults. Then again, Tara was pretty handy with a gun as well.

  We made our way into the dining room. Trey had already claimed us seats by the windows. I walked over and took a seat beside him. It was one of those moments as a parent when your heart takes a picture, and my heart did just that. No matter what, I would remember the look on his face for the rest of my life. The world as we know it has ended, and my son sat there with a look of pure joy, and a beaming smile upon his face. I knew then at that moment who and what I truly protect every day.

  I protec
t those that I love. I protect those smiles so that they might shine another day. I protect joy, and happiness, and make it possible for those feelings to be had. Most of all, I protect love, that feeling deep inside that travels the length of every extremity of the body and fills it with this powerful electricity that never fades or flickers. I protect love. I turned my attention to Randy. I protect him. I love him. I would never want anything to happen to him. I have put my life on the line to save his, taken cuts, scrapes, and sprained ankles to protect him. And he has done the same for me, and it was all out of love.

  How could I have been so stupid? I did love him, and there was nothing I could do about that. The only way I could continue to deny how I felt for him, and what I felt in my heart for everyone in my village was to leave them all behind, and that was a price I was not willing to pay. I wanted my children, Randy, and all of the other people of my village. I wanted all of the others that would eventually come to join us, and I loved them all already.

  Randy must have noticed the smile on my face, because he returned it. His teeth he’d managed to keep pearly white even without the assistance of a dentist shined brightly. He came over to me and took me by the hand. I stood from my seat, and as he wrapped his arms around me, I wrapped mine around him. This is what my body had been missing, what my heart had cried out for, and if felt so damned good to hold him. I felt his breath on my ear, and it took only a moment to realize he’d spoken into it.

  “I love you Amber.” That is what he whispered. I felt a tear form in my eye as I raised my lips to his ear and whispered, “I love you too.”

  Randy raised his head, and looked into my eyes. He was still smiling that beautiful smile he had just for me. He slowly leaned into me, placing his lips on mine, and I welcomed his kiss by returning it to him just as deeply as he offered it. It was a magical moment where all the pieces to the puzzle of this crazy world seemed to fall into place, and I suddenly knew my full purpose in life. It was I that would rebuild a civilization, and it was this man that would stand at my side to do it.

  “Um, Mom? What are you doing?” I heard Trey ask.

  “I told you he was her boyfriend.” Tara commented.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  We made our way out to my Tundra pick up. Our hands and backs were loaded down with gear. Jim and his group provided us with two tents, plus extra food and homemade weapons much like the ones we make in the village. Jim and Miranda escorted us out, along with our guide, Jay Blackburn.

  “You should have everything you need to make it back to your town.” Jim said.

  “Thank you Jim. We really appreciate it. Thank you for loaning us a guide. I promise we will send him back in one piece.” I replied.

  “Now don’t go making promises you can’t keep their ma’am.” Jim said.

  “I’m not. I said we will send him back in one piece, not that he would make it back that way.” I answered.

  Randy and Jay both chuckled at my little joke as they tossed the gear on the bed of the pickup. “See, even he thinks it’s funny.” I said with a smile. Jim didn’t look as though he thought it was funny though, and I quickly regained control of my laughter, and unloaded my arms.

  “You just make sure you do make it back in one piece. Don’t get eaten, and don’t give these people any reason to kill you.” Jim said to Jay.

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Jay said with a slight punch to the shoulder of his leader.

  “You know what the hell I mean. Don’t go thinking you know everything. It’ll get you in trouble.” Jim informed.

  “I know what I’m doing Chief. I got this man.” Jay replied.

  “Yeah, we’ll I hope so.”

  “Ok, that looks like it’s all of it.” I said, hoping that my comment would end the conversation they were having. To be honest, it was making me nervous, and putting me on guard for more than just the walking dead out in the world. I didn’t want to have to fear a human.

  Tara was the last to load her gear on the back of the truck.

  “I hope we don’t get stuck carrying all this crap on our backs at some point. There is a lot here.”

  “Well, with any luck, the truck will hold up and we will make it all the way. But just in case, be ready for anything.” I said.

  “That’s the rule anyway. Expect the unexpected.” Trey stated as he wrapped an arm around me. I bent down and kissed my son on the forehead, and ran my fingers through his hair.

  “You are so smart son.” I said. I turned my attention to my daughter.

  “You should pay attention more. It could save your life one day.” I said.

  “Yeah yeah, be more like my little brother. I get it.” Tara commented.

  “Hey! We are the same age.” Tyler said.

  “Nope, I am a whole seventeen minutes older than you twerp.”

  A sound off in the distance got our attention. We all turned to the source of the sound, and saw a motorcycle headed our way.

  “It must be Mark. He made it back.” I said with a smile.

  “Looks like it. Well, maybe he has good news for us.” Jim added.

  We were all standing at the entrance to the hotel when Mark pulled up on the motorcycle and turned the engine off. He removed the helmet from his head and strapped it to the handle bars of the bike.

  “Well, good news Commander. Your village is safe for now. Your people are working on the emergency evacuation plan. Alex said to tell you he has everything under control.”

  I was so relieved to hear those words come out of his mouth. I breathed a sigh of relief as I placed my hand on my chest.

  “Oh, and your Daddy said to tell you to hurry up and get your ass back home so he knows for sure that you are safe.” Mark added. That wasn’t a surprise to me. No doubt my father was acting for me in my absence, which was fine with me. I learned everything I knew from him and his guidance over the years so I felt safe knowing that my people were safe in his hands.

  “Well, are we ready to get on the road?” Jay asked.

  “Almost. How do the roads look out that way? Is there any way we can get back to Adairsville the good old fashioned way?” I asked Mark. He shook his head.

  “Nope, not unless you can all ride a motorcycle. That’s the only way.” Mark informed.

  “Were there anymore herds?” Jim asked.

  “Yeah, down on highway 411 going towards Rome there was a pretty good sized one walking the roads. As long as nothing draws their attention east, they should go right past Adairsville. But there is something else too.” Mark stated.

  “Yeah? What’s that?” I asked.

  “Some of those things are dropping dead. Must be from starvation or something.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I watched ‘em on the road there. They were all walking in a pack and every once in a while you could see one drop here, and one drop there. I waited on the herd to move away and then checked. They were dead, again. And for good this time.” Mark stated.

  I wasn’t sure what to make of this new information. I wanted to say that it gave me hope to an end to this epidemic, but I couldn’t say that yet. That would be letting my guard down, and that is something I don’t do. However, if humans could out last the walking dead, then we might have a chance to clean up the world and restore humanity and civilization everywhere.

  I took one last look on the bed of the pickup. It looked as though we had enough gear, but I was always worried that something might happen and we would find ourselves in need of something else. I shook my head to relieve myself of the thoughts, and turned my attention back to my company.

  “Well, if there’s nothing else, I suppose the five of us should hit the road.” I said. Randy nodded to indicate that he agreed with me, just as he always did.

  “Let’s do it. Come on everybody. Let’s load up.” Jay instructed. My kids crawled into the back seat of my Toyota Tundra Pickup truck.

  I retrieved a bag from the back of the truck, and placed it in between
my kids in the back seat. They both looked at me.

  “It’s food and water, and extra ammunition. Never know what might happen. Tyler, you are Johnny on the Spot with the supplies. If we need anything in a hurry, you get it to us, got it?” I said.

  “Got it Mom.” Tyler replied.

  “Good. Tara, you’re on food and drink duty. Pass it up if we need it.” I told my daughter. Tara rolled her eyes at me, a gesture I was all too familiar with.

  I stepped back, and closed the back door. I took a look across the street. The herd near the other hotel must have moved on in the night as there wasn’t a zombie in sight. I assumed Nick would be making his way back at any point now. I turned and climbed into the front seat of the Tundra. Randy came to the passenger side and climbed in beside me.

  “So I guess I am driving huh? Figures. Get the job of the guide and suddenly I have to do all the work.” Jay said as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

  “You don’t have to do all the work. I am the gun man over here. Remember that.” Randy stated matter-of-factly. I wasn’t sure what to make of his comment. I didn’t know if it was a threat of a show of position for Jay, but I didn’t like it. I let him know it by elbowing him in the rib cage.

  Jim came to stand at the driver’s side of the truck.

  “Take care. All of you.” he said as he looked around the truck.

  “Jay my friend. Don’t do anything stupid to get yourself killed.” Jim said. I really wished he would quit talking about Jay like that. It made me nervous and it made me wonder what he knew about the man that I didn’t know. Did I want to know? That was the question.

  Jay turned over the engine, and rolled the window up. Thank God my truck had air conditioning, and we had a full tank of gas. At least we didn’t bring one of the vehicles without working AC. It was always safest to drive in this world with the walking undead with the windows up. Windows rolled up had been known to save lives on more than one occasion.