As The World Dies Trilogy Box Set [Books 1-3] Page 4

  Jenni sighed. She didn’t even have photos. She had nothing. Nothing at all.

  Except for Katie, the dog, the truck, and the winding road.

  Since leaving the gas station, they’d seen a few other vehicles, usually speeding toward the city, the panicked people inside barely glancing at them as they flashed by. In one small town, they had seen no signs of life at all. At one point, they saw a farmhouse on a hill, being boarded up by distant figures.

  They felt very alone.

  “We can’t drive forever. We’ll have to stop eventually and get more gas. More supplies.” Katie sighed.

  Jenni pursed her lips and carefully ran her finger along the lines on the map. Slowly, her eyes strayed up to the state park. She shivered slightly, her head swimming. …

  How could she be such a bad mother?

  Jason, her stepson, was up there, camping out with the rest of his freshman high school class. Far away from the city, from his dead father and half brothers …

  How could she have forgotten him?

  Tiny fingers straining under the front door rose menacingly in her mind and she felt herself shudder. Her stomach coiled and she reached out to brace herself against the dashboard.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Katie’s gentle hand stroked her hair. “Jenni?”

  Jenni looked up at her, shaken. “I … uh … forgot my son.”

  Katie flicked her gaze toward Jenni, then back at the road. “No, hon, we couldn’t bring him … he…” Her voice faltered.

  Jenni shook her head. “No, not Mikey … not him. Jason. My stepson … I forgot about him until just now … how could I … I’m…”

  Her zombified husband was right. She was a bad mother. Incompetent. Stupid.

  Katie continued to stroke her hair while trying to keep her eyes on the winding road. “It’s okay. It’s okay. This whole day is fucked up.”

  Jenni felt tears rolling down her cheeks. “I just … forgot him. He just came to live with us last year. But I shouldn’t have forgotten him.”

  Katie slowly pulled over, drew Jenni into her arms, and gave her a firm hug. “It’s okay. Calm down … shhh … shhh…”

  Jenni clung to her and whispered, “I try so hard.”

  “It’s okay. It’s okay. Maybe he got out of the house,” Katie said softly.

  “He wasn’t in the house! He’s here! Here!” Jenni thrust the map at Katie, one finger jabbing at the state park. “He’s here! Safe. The zombies can’t be out there! He’s safe and he needs me and I forgot about him!”

  “Okay, okay. Jenni, listen to me. Listen to me,” Katie said firmly.

  The dog whined a little and licked Jenni’s face, trying to soothe her.

  Jenni tried to concentrate on Katie’s face and voice. It was so hard. All she could hear was her husband’s voice berating her for being such a stupid whore and a terrible mother.

  “This day and everything about it is awful. We’re both in shock. We’re both scared out of our minds. We’re not thinking straight and that’s okay. We just need to survive right now. We need to make it through today and be safe. If we can do that, we can get our heads together and start to figure out exactly what we are going to do. But for now, we live in this moment and make our way to the next.”

  Jenni sniffled and nodded. “What about Jason? I can’t leave him there.”

  That would be her last great failure. He was all that remained. Maybe he wasn’t her son by blood, but she was obligated to take care of him and love him.

  Katie looked at the map for a long moment. “I think we can go get him. Maybe even stay there if it’s clear of the infestation. Honestly, we need to stay away from any area with too many people. A lot of people will not know what is going on, and that will endanger us.” Katie faltered for a moment. “Hell, I don’t know what is going on.”

  “Zombies,” Jenni reminded her helpfully.

  “Okay, zombies, but why? How? If your movies are right and the bite is how it spreads, then keeping away from major populated areas is our best bet. Less chance of infection. So going and finding your stepson and seeing what the situation is out at the park may be our best option for now.”

  Jenni threw her arms around Katie and hugged her tight. “Thank you, thank you. I have to make it up to him!”

  She had to let Jason know that she loved him and that she would be a good mother to him. She would learn to do better and be better. That was all there was to it.

  Katie drew back, squeezed her hand tightly, and gave her a tender smile. “We’ll be okay. It will be okay. We just need to keep it together. Okay?”

  Jenni nodded, reassured. Katie was right. They had to keep it together. And survive. And go get Jason. She wrapped her arms around the dog, and he nestled against her body.

  Katie shifted gears, and the white truck started down the road once more. “Jenni, I know you’re scared. I am, too, but right now, we can’t fall apart, okay? When we find a safe place, we can both mourn.” Katie reached out to pat her hand, gracing her with another smile.

  Jenni took a deep breath and nodded. “I can be strong until we’re all safe.”

  “Good.” Katie returned her gaze to the road.

  Jenni shuffled the dog and the map and settled down once more. She had a job to do, and she had to do it well. It was obvious to her now that Katie had been sent to her. Katie was strong and she was going to get them through. It would be okay.

  “What the hell?” Katie murmured.

  As the truck slowed, Jenni saw a convoy of army vehicles heading their way. The first few trucks went past; then a jeep pulled to the side, and a soldier in the passenger seat waved for the white pickup to stop.

  Jenni felt a flutter of excitement. Maybe this was how they would find safety. The army would take them to a place free of the zombies. The men looked strong and capable with their large weapons and thick armor. They could rescue Jason.

  A tall black man walked toward the truck and motioned to them to get out. Two other men leaped out the back of the jeep and followed him.

  Katie didn’t look very happy as she turned to Jack. “Stay down, boy. Don’t bark. Be calm. Lie down on the floor.”

  The dog tilted his head, and his gaze followed her motions to the floor of the cab. Obediently, he got down.

  “If they’re anything like cops, they’ll shoot him if they feel threatened,” Katie said.

  “They wouldn’t!” Jenni was shocked.

  “Just answer them truthfully and calmly. This is a different world, Jenni. We don’t know how it works yet.”

  Jenni felt a pang of fear as she got out of the truck.

  Katie stood next to the cab, as relaxed as possible as the very tall, broad-shouldered soldier approached. At his gesture, Jenni joined Katie and they stood side by side, a former prosecutor in her suit, high heels, and a hunting jacket and a housewife in flip-flops, nightgown, and bathrobe.

  “Are you two together?” His voice was deep and strong and had a soothing quality about it.

  Jenni bobbed her head as Katie answered, “Yes.”

  “Did you come from the city?”

  “Yes,” they chorused.

  “Either one of you bit?”

  “No,” Katie answered, and Jenni nervously whispered, “No.”

  Without warning, he began to run his hands over their limbs, squeezing to see their response.

  Jenni started to protest, but Katie gave her a look that silenced her. The man’s hands skimmed over her sides and down over her limbs, searching for wounds. She could see sweat glistening in his dark hair and beading on his neck. Dirt and dried blood stained his uniform. His hazel eyes were bloodshot and weary. Despite the discomfort of his search, she unexpectedly felt sorry for him. He had been fighting the zombies and understood that the world was dying, which probably meant if he found a bite on either one of them, he would take dire measures.

  Jenni was all too aware of the two soldiers standing nearby, guns ready. They’ll shoot us if we are bitten , she thou
ght.

  She endured the rough, large hands on her body until he finished his search.

  “No sign of wounds!” the soldier called out. The other armed men visibly relaxed.

  “Head to the town of Madison. There’s a FEMA rescue center there. It’ll be secure.” He looked into the cab to see Jack staring at him intently from the driver’s seat. With a small smile, he reached in and patted the dog’s head.

  Katie made a show of looking at his name badge, then said, “Yes, Lieutenant Reynolds.”

  He dipped his chin to them briefly and walked back to his vehicle. The other soldiers were already inside.

  As the jeep sped past them to rejoin the convoy, Katie sighed. “They’re heading into the city,” she murmured.

  “Are we going to Madison?”

  Katie shook her head. “No. I think we’re better off on our own.”

  Jenni silently agreed, her black hair whipping around her face. The wind was blowing hot and fierce.

  Katie stood with her hands on her hips and shook her head still. “Yeah. We’re better off depending on ourselves. We’re heading out to get your stepson. Then we’ll figure out what’s next. I don’t like the idea of us being all herded into one spot with only FEMA to protect us. We need to find more ammo and another gun.”

  “Yeah, I agree. It’s up to us to save Jason.” It was clear that the soldiers had more on their minds than rescuing people from the zombies. They had many more battles to fight. It would be up to Katie and her to save Jason and make it to safety.

  Once back in the truck, they started down the road again. They had a plan now, and Jenni felt comforted. The world seemed a little more bearable now.

  A few miles down the road, they saw two vehicles pulled over onto the shoulder. Bodies, young and old, were strewn about both cars, riddled by bullets. A few had obviously run for it, but hadn’t made it to safety. As the white pickup passed, Jenni recognized the girl from the convenience store, still in her gas station smock. Half her head had been blown away.

  Katie didn’t say a word as she turned onto an even narrower back road.

  “I guess,” Jenni said after a moment, “one of them was bitten.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  1.

  The Truth of Things Yet to Come

  Katie was tired of the sun blazing through the windshield and the steady hum of the road. It was nearly one o’clock in the afternoon, and they had been slowly winding deeper into the Texas wilds. Some of the roads were so narrow that two cars passing would have to hug the shoulder and slow down considerably. The thick line of juniper trees hugging the road made the drive claustrophobic. Herds of cows, peach groves, and empty fields were all they saw for miles. Occasionally, there was a house in the distance, and as they sped along, the women observed families working diligently to reinforce their homes. Out in the country, people were apparently barricading themselves in as the heavily populated cities probably went to hell.

  “What do you think is going on?” Jenni’s voice sounded raw.

  To save gas, they had finally turned off the air conditioner and opened the windows. Warm air blew through the cab, and dust caught in their noses and throats.

  “Where?” Katie asked.

  “Out there? Austin, Houston, Fort Worth…”

  “It was spreading so fast … Maybe the army can get a handle on it, I don’t know. Yesterday, there was a commuter plane crash in Chicago that they were blaming on someone going crazy and attacking the pilots. There was a race riot in Philadelphia. But now I have to wonder.”

  “I didn’t see the news. The kids were watching Disney movies when Lloyd got back. Some bum bit him on the hand when Lloyd rolled down the window to give him some coins.” Jenni laughed. “He was such an asshole to his family, but always generous to everyone else.”

  “He used to hurt you, didn’t he?” Katie spoke gently, but she knew her words would sting.

  “Better me than the boys,” Jenni admitted. “Did you see the news this morning? Was it bad?”

  “Lydia and I had a strict policy of keeping our mornings as peaceful as possible. It made the rest of the day easier if we could relax, drink coffee, have breakfast, watch the sun come up. …” Katie faltered as the tranquil memories of the morning came back to her.

  Lydia had been wearing a long, dark dress with stylish ethnic jewelry around her neck and wrists. Her short, spunky hairdo looked retro and cute. It had been a lovely morning. Katie could still remember how cool and soft Lydia’s hand had been in hers when they kissed one last time before the world fell into chaos.

  Jenni’s hand on her wrist brought her out of her reverie and she could feel tears on her cheeks. “Maybe if we had paid attention to the news,” Katie said with a slight sob in her voice.

  “There is a lot of bad stuff in the world. Sometimes it’s just better to shut it out.”

  Katie tried to pull herself together. She had to concentrate on the here and now and get them to a safe place. Where that was, she wasn’t sure, but they had to keep moving.

  As the truck sped around a curve in the road, an old station wagon came into view. A middle-aged man, wiry and sunburned, stood next to it, waving desperately. Katie automatically slowed down, and Jenni gripped her arm.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t stop,” Jenni said fearfully.

  Katie deliberated her words, then shook her head. “If we can save someone, we should.” She stopped the truck and listened to the hot engine tick and rumble.

  The man walked briskly over and gripped the edge of the window frame with unsteady hands. “Good thing you gals came along. My wife isn’t doing so good. We broke down about two hours ago.”

  “What’s wrong with your wife?” Katie asked, though she suspected the answer.

  “Got some crazy shit going down on the highway. People grabbing other people out of cars and doing all sorts of just—” He shook his head. “I can’t even explain it. It was just insane. Wife had her window down, and some little kid bit her arm. I didn’t think it was that bad, but she’s not doing too well right now. I was heading back home, avoiding the highway, when we broke down. I think she needs a doctor.”

  Katie exhaled sympathetically. The man had a very earnest face and kind eyes. His skin was weathered from the Texan sun, and beads of sweat trailed down his long nose. For an instant, she just wanted to hug him and comfort him. He didn’t understand. Not yet.

  The passenger door creaked open, and Jenni slipped out. Jack started to follow, but she shut the door on him and he woofed at her.

  “Lady, we need your help bad,” the man said, obviously unnerved by Katie’s silence.

  “There isn’t any help for her,” Katie said finally. “Anyone bit is … doomed.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You know how people were attacking each other on the highway? It’s that way in the city, too. People get bit, then they get sick and attack other people.” She wasn’t sure how he would take to the zombie theory.

  A flutter of pink caught her eye. Jenni was staring into the station wagon. As Katie watched, Jenni took a step back, looked at Katie, and shook her head sadly. The warm Texas wind blew hard against the truck, rocking it, and sent bits of dry grass and leaves spinning across the road as Jenni hurried back.

  The man was silent for a long time. He was obviously thinking hard. “Then we gotta get her to the hospital before it’s too late.”

  “She’s almost gone,” Jenni said as she stepped up next to the man. “She’s real bad, Katie. I think maybe we should…” She motioned toward the shotgun.

  “Mister, I know you love your wife. Trust me, I know how you feel, but you need to come with us and leave her. She’s not going to be the woman you love in just a short while,” Katie explained. Impulsively, she laid her hand over his. “Please, come with us.”

  Jack let out a sharp bark followed by a growl.

  All three humans turned toward the station wagon. A woman with long blond hair was struggling o
ut the open passenger window. Her gray skin and opaque eyes said it all. She was dead and hungry.

  “Shit!” Jenni and Katie both hollered .

  “Honey?”

  “Get in the truck!” Katie flung her door open, and Jenni crawled in over her. The man hesitated as his wife hit the road hard, landing on her face.

  “Please, get in the truck!” Katie screamed at him.

  He looked at her in confusion, then back at his wife, who was struggling to get to her feet. “Lady, you’re both fucking nuts,” he decided, and headed toward his wife.

  Katie slammed the door shut. “Shit!”

  “Run her over,” Jenni ordered. “Just flatten her ass and save him.”

  The man was moving toward his newly zombified wife. She was obviously disoriented by her fall to the ground and was staring off in the opposite direction. He called her name and she whirled around, snarling.

  “Stupid,” Jenni hissed.

  Katie reversed slightly, shifted gears, and floored the truck. “He loves her,” she answered.

  The zombie ran at her husband, her face an ugly, twisted version of its former self. Katie swerved around the man and rammed the truck into the female zombie, sending her flying. The creature tumbled wildly, limbs flailing. Katie shoved her foot down on the brake, and both women stared at the fallen woman through the windshield.

  Jack gave a sharp little bark.

  “You fucking bitches!” The man slammed his fist into the side of the truck bed and scrambled toward the door on the driver’s side.

  Katie ducked away as he tried to grab her through the open window. Jack jumped on top of Katie’s back, barking fiercely at the man.

  “You killed her! You killed her!”

  Katie was trying to get out from under the dog, when Jenni climbed over her and shrieked, “She’s already dead! She’s dead, and you need to get in the truck before she eats your ass!”