I slam the pantry door closed and walk to my bedroom.
A minute later, Daniel knocks on the door and walks in.
“I’m not in the mood for company,” I say, irritated.
“I know. That’s why I didn’t wait for a response.”
I roll over. He sinks down on the mattress beside me.
“Wanna talk about it?” he asks.
I shrug. “What’s there to talk about? We’re the worst survivalists ever.”
He sighs. “Yeah, it’s not great. But we had to eat the perishable foods before they expired.”
“I’ve read about this,” I say flatly. “You know, when people fast for diets or religion. We should have relied on water to make us feel full. We could have skipped more meals, then.”
“Can’t go back and change it now.”
Tears fill my eyes. I’m angry, and I’m feeling sorry for myself and my inability to handle even the simplest of tasks...rationing food for two people. I’m pathetic. I roll over and look at my brother. “We’re not going to make it. We’re going to die just like everyone else.”
Daniel shifts his weight on the bed. “We’re not going to die, but we are going to have to be smarter. We’ll make the food we have last for as long as possible, then we’ll go out again.”
“Where, though? Most food is out of date by now, or gone. You’ve seen the houses,” I remind him.
“We’ll risk a trip to town if we have to.”
“Do you think there’s anything left at the General Store?”
He looks at me. “I’m not sure...but Chloe, I won’t let you die.”
A tear slips down my cheek. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Daniel. That’s what Dad always said.”
He nods, then stands to leave the room. At the door he turns and says, “I won’t let you starve to death, then. How about that?”
Chapter Twelve
Chloe
We finished the last of our food yesterday morning. I’m not sure what we’re going to do now. I check the battery-operated clock on the table beside me.
11:38 AM.
Day 37 of the Apocalypse.
I lean back against the couch and close my eyes.
* * *
Daniel
“Go get dressed. We’re heading out today.”
I know she hears me, but she doesn’t respond, so I lean down and shake her lightly.
“Come on, Chloe. We need food. We have to leave. Today.”
* * *
Chloe
Reluctantly, I open my eyes.
Daniel is trying to persuade me to move from my place on the couch. The reality of what he’s saying hits me like a tidal wave. I start trembling, and if I had the strength to cry, I’m sure fresh tears would have stained my cheeks.
But I don’t have the energy for tears.
I shake my head. “I can’t go out there. Remember what happened the last time you went out?”
“What? I almost died?” he asks pointedly.
I nod.
He gives me another shake. “What do you think is going to happen to us if we stay in this house much longer? We’re out of food, Chloe!”
Maybe starving to death wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I could just let go, and allow death to take me wherever it takes those lucky enough to die without being infected. One of the Bible passages I read earlier tickles a memory, causing it to stir within me. I think it was the Gospel of Luke...no, it was John. The disciples had been urging Jesus to eat, and He answered, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”[3]
I’d never be hungry. It would be so easy. I could just close my eyes, as if falling asleep, and when I opened them again I’d be in a place where hunger and Revs don’t exist. I can’t tell Daniel what I’m thinking. It would upset him, and he’s already worried sick about me; he thinks I’m weak, ready to give up.
He doesn’t realize how accurate he is.
My own guilt shatters around me like glass. If I give up, what happens to Daniel? He’ll be alone. There won’t be anyone to take care of him; no one making sure he comes home alive after each supply run. But, I can’t go out there...and I can’t stay here. So what else is there to do but give up? Then I remember the reporter talking about the National Guard and first responders. There’s still a chance, however slight, that they’ll come to our rescue. They might show up any day now.
I look at Daniel. “No...if we wait a little longer, help will come, and….”
Daniel stands, frustrated. “Get real, Chloe! No one’s coming! They’re all dead or Revs or evacuating themselves.” He points to the living room window, and says, “Do you hear any tanks? Soldiers? Do you even hear a local police force? No!” He drops back to his knees so we’re eye-to-eye. “You don’t hear them because they’re not coming,” he says.
I know he’s right. I don’t want to know it, but the truth is there, staring me in the face, whether I want to accept it or not.
“You’re right.” I take a deep breath and release it slowly. “I know you’re right.”
Satisfied, he stands up. “Good. Go pack some things. Just in case.”
“In case what?”
He peeks through the living room blinds. “In case we can’t come back to the house once we leave.”
Chapter Thirteen
Daniel
I pull my old hiking pack out of my bedroom closet. I knock the dust from it, and even though no one sees me do it, I feel a little pathetic. It’s a large blue pack, with grey trim. I bought it just after I moved back to Everly; or rather, I bought it just after I started dating Jenna Hunt. She loved being outdoors, and since Everly is only a short distance from the small mountain range in Holland County, we went hiking nearly every weekend. It was kind of our thing...until it wasn’t. I can’t believe it’s been four months since Jenna and I last hiked to the North Mountain waterfall.
I try to cage the sadness scurrying around in my heart, but it’s too fast and I’m too tired to chase it, so I just let it run its course. I’ll probably never know if Jenna survived or not, and that bothers me. I loved her. Furthermore, I thought she loved me.
Then she slept with my college roommate when he came to Everly for a visit.
I glance at the picture frame on my nightstand. It’s a black and white photograph of us, taken during happier times. The photographer managed to capture Jenna’s contagious smile at just the right second, and her dark brown hair blowing in the wind at just the right angle, so that she looks young and carefree...and honest; like she would never lie or sleep with one of my best friends. In the picture, I’m holding her and she’s looking at me with an expression that says we have all the time in the world to figure things out.
But time ran out, and things still aren’t right.
I wonder if she’s alive.
I tell myself again that not knowing isn’t the worst thing. After all, it could mean she’s still alive. She and two of her girlfriends had left for the beach the day before the Revs surfaced in Everly. I know they made it to the beach house safely, because she called to let me know, but what happened after that is anyone’s guess. It was the last time we spoke before the Revs declared war on the living.
Now that cell service is down, I’ll probably never know for sure.
I turn my attention back to the pack laying on my bed. I’m not a survivalist. I’ve never even watched a doomsday prepper show. I wish I had now. I don’t know what to pack, and there’s always a chance we might not be able to come back to the house once we leave. But I can’t stand around all day wondering what to take and what to leave, so I start stuffing clothing staples like underwear, socks, shirts and pants into the pack.
I head to the bathroom and grab some basic toiletries to add to the pack; toothpaste and toothbrush, shampoo, soap, rubbing alcohol, and a box of band-aids...just in case.
I guess that’s that. All ready to go.
* * *
Chloe
I’m staring at the red pack laying on
my bed. It’s one of those expensive hiking packs that both serious hikers and trendy people buy; one, for efficiency and low weight during long hikes, and the other for looks. I fall into the ‘other’ category. I saw it two years ago at a store in Charlotte, and just had to have it. I’ve probably used it three times since I bought it.
I’ve never used it for hiking.
I chew my bottom lip, wondering where to start. It’s hard to know what to pack when you realize you may never see your home again. I rub my eyes and blink a few times, willing myself to be strong, but standing in my room reminds me of my old life so much it hurts. My normal, boring life filled with normal memories of times spent with my parents, friends, and Scott. Suddenly, a deluge of useless tears cut a path down my face. I know crying doesn’t help anything, and it certainly doesn’t change anything, but it feels good to grieve the life I know I have to leave behind.
I allow myself a few more minutes of self-pity, then I wipe my nose on my shirt sleeve and walk to the closet. I slowly finger through the shirts and skirts hanging in my closet, touching each one; designer pieces I’ll never wear again. I know I can’t take them. They’re not practical, and there’s no place for vanity in this new life of mine. After a final, lingering stare, I go to the chest of drawers and pull out a few pairs of yoga pants and t-shirts and throw them on the bed to add to the pack. I also grab a few pairs of socks, a couple pairs of underwear, and an extra bra. I stuff all of it into the pack, while a new wave of tears wet my cheeks. Finally, I stuff a pair of flip flops on top of everything and zip the pack closed.
That done, I walk to the bathroom and begin the process of deciding what toiletries to take and what to leave. I settle on shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, a brush and comb, lotion, lip gloss, deodorant, and my favorite perfume.
I’m not done yet.
I know Daniel said only necessities, but I’m not leaving without my Bible or my family photo album. I need them more than anything else I packed.
Chapter Fourteen
Daniel
“Ready to roll?”
Chloe nods. I know she’s reluctant to leave the house, and we’re both scared, but she knows as well as I do it’s leave or wait to die.
At least she didn’t come out wearing her skinny jeans and heels. She’s dressed in thick gray sweatpants, a faded blue t-shirt, and her favorite running shoes. Her long brown hair is swept up into a messy bun, and a pair of designer sunglasses cover her blue eyes. She’s a beautiful girl. When she’s not mentally preparing herself to become homeless in the zombie apocalypse, she’s a pretty happy person. She’s always smiling; sometimes, when she’s laughing really hard, a dimple surfaces on her left cheek. She’s always been adorable, but she’s never been self-sufficient. That’s what worries me.
Being pretty won’t keep her alive.
She notices me looking at her. Her brow furrows. “Well? Do you approve?” she asks, testily.
I smile so she won’t pick up on what I’m really thinking...or that I’m worried she won’t survive much longer unless she toughens up. “I’m just making sure you don’t try to go on a supply run in your favorite stilettos.”
She crosses her arms. “You’re so funny.”
“Aw, come on, sis. I’m just teasing you. Don’t be grumpy.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
We carry our packs to the front door. Suddenly, Chloe stops and grabs my arm.
“I feel like we should say a prayer,” she says.
“If it makes you feel better.”
“Daniel…”
“What? I told you, I’m not sure anyone’s listening anymore.”
“Humor me?”
“Fine, but hurry. We need to get going.”
I wait while she prays for divine protection during our trip to town. I don’t close my eyes. I honestly don’t believe prayer will help us. Not anymore. If we’re going to survive, it’s going to be because we were smart and didn’t drop our defenses.
She finally says “amen” and opens her eyes. “Okay, I’m ready now.”
“Guess it’s now or never,” I say, opening the door.
She sighs. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”
We rush to the car. Once inside, we lock the doors and sit for a minute until our breathing slows. I can hear the sound of Chloe’s heart, it’s beating so loud. Or maybe I’m just hearing my own hammering loudly in my ears. I look out my window, then behind us, but there’s no movement.
Yet.
Once I turn the engine over, there’s no guarantee we won’t have company.
“Do you see anything?”
I shake my head. “Did you bring the gun?”
She nods.
“And the bullets?”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes. I’m not stupid, you know.”
“Now isn’t the time for fragile egos, sis.”
“Sorry. But yes, I have the gun and the bullets. Now, let’s get moving. I feel exposed just sitting here like this.”
I turn the key, cringing as the engine roars to life. I quickly put the car in reverse, and pull out of the driveway, into the road.
So far, so good.
“I hope you’re right about them being less active during the day,” Chloe says nervously as we make our way to the end of Maple Drive.
I slow at the stop sign, then take a right onto Laughlin Road. I keep a check on the sides of the road as we cruise toward town, looking for Revs. Still nothing. “Well, It seems like they move around more after the sun goes down.”
“Why?”
I shrug. “Not sure. Maybe it’s something to do with the heat, or the light? There’s no telling.”
“It doesn’t really matter, I guess.”
I glance over at her. “Not really. Just keep an eye out and let me know if you see any of them.”
“Okay. Where are we going first?”
“The General Store. That’s our best bet for food and supplies.”
“We could try some of the houses we pass heading into town. They might…”
“Too dangerous,” I say, interrupting her. “We were able to watch the houses on our street. We knew which ones were empty.”
“Well, wouldn’t it be good to meet up with other people? There’s strength in numbers.”
“And what if we pick a house with a family of Revs trapped inside?” I ask. “Or worse, some gun-happy survivor who doesn’t want to band together with other survivors?”
“I guess neither one of those scenarios would be ideal,” she admits.
“No. I think it’s safer to start at the General Store. The storefront is a complete wall of glass, so we should be able to see what’s inside before we go in ourselves.”
After that we slip into a tense silence until we get closer to downtown Everly. I barely recognize the town I grew up in. Plumes of black smoke rise toward the sky, giving it a sepia-toned hue and filling the car with the burnt aroma of an evening campfire. And rotting flesh. Partially-devoured bodies litter the road; their final resting place an asphalt graveyard.
“Oh my gosh...there’s so many,” Chloe whispers.
I don’t comment. What’s the use? Nothing I say will bring them back, or make things better, so I just keep driving toward the General Store. We pass three Revs wandering away from town. They stop as we pass by, seemingly alerted to our presence; whether by sight or sound, I don’t know. They turn around to follow our trail, but after a few strategic turns I lose sight of them.
“Do you think they’ll catch up to us?” Chloe asks, worried.
I glance in the rearview mirror again. “I hope not. They seem to move pretty slow, so if we move fast, we should be okay.”
“So, move quick or get eaten. Got it.”
A few minutes later, I pull the car up beside the sidewalk in front of the renovated brick building known by Everly residents simply as the General Store. I’m really hoping it has something left on its shelves.
It doesn’t.
Nothing that will benefi
t our continued survival, anyway. It looks like survivors visited the General Store during the first days of the incident; it’s metal shelves are nearly empty. Chloe stands beside me, weak from hunger and swaying slightly as if being pushed by a breeze I can’t feel. She looks exhausted. Hopeless, even.
She’s not entirely off the mark.
I reach over and touch her arm. “Hey, you ok?”
“I thought there would still be something left,” she says.
I squeeze her arm. “We’re gonna be okay. We always are, right?”
A tear slips down her cheek. “I’m not so sure anymore, Daniel.”
I look around the store one last time, frustrated. As I turn to leave, something metal reflects the sunlight. Curious, I walk over and clear empty boxes of crackers and trash away from the object; it’s a can of pintos. I’ve never been so happy to see a can of beans in my life.
“Chloe, come over here.”
I pull the pop-top. “Here, drink this.”
“Cold?”
“Do you see a microwave nearby?” I ask, looking around. “Just drink it. Save me half,” I add, grinning.
She lifts the can to her mouth. It doesn’t take her long to down half its contents. “Your turn,” she says, handing me the can.
I drink the other half, then set the empty can on the shelf.
“Beans never tasted so good,” Chloe says with a small smile.
I smile, too. “Yeah, they’re a real delicacy. Come on, let’s get out of here. There’s nothing else left worth taking.”
Chapter Fifteen
Chloe
Daniel and I didn’t intend to leave our house behind permanently, but after looking for food and supplies in Everly, and finding none, we decided to keep moving west, toward Asheville...toward our parents and the emergency shelter they may or may not have fled to. It seemed like a solid plan, even if there was nothing solid about it, but what else could we do? We were essentially homeless and there was a small chance our parents were still alive.
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