Surviving The Aftermath (Book 1): The Dead Linger (12 page)

“What’s wrong with you?” She asked upset now.

“Didn’t you see them?” He pointed off to where the women went.

“Yeah who cares. They didn’t see us.”

“Listen we have to be careful.” He tried telling her again, fucking teenagers, didn’t they understand anything.

“You don’t love me.” She declared, with sudden tears in her eyes.

“Baby that’s not it and you know it. I want to be with you, but we can’t be open yet. Just give it some time.” He was trying to keep her at arm’s length. “Meet me tonight, in our spot and I’ll show you how much I need you.” She smiled at him, blew him a kiss and went to find something to keep her occupied until midnight. Tyler scrubbed his hand down his face, jeez he didn’t need this. She was awesome in the sack but high maintenance everywhere else. He had to focus now, guns that had become Tyler’s main goal. Get some guns and then break Jeff out. There were a few other girls that were all for helping Jeff and Tyler out. He was off to meet with them too. Jeff was better at playing women than he was. He just hoped the girls would listen to him with Jeff being detained.

“Patty did you see that.”

“Totally. Who should we tell, Tom?”

“Are you nuts, he’ll kill Tyler.” Patty said. Both women were shocked and appalled by the exchange they had seen between this stranger and Tom’s eldest daughter.

“We should tell someone.” The women continued to walk to the post. They were on the South East watch tower tonight. As they climbed up into the children’s backyard jungle gym that was deemed the watchtower they continued their talk.

“I can’t believe that girl would go for him. He seems so dirty and nothing but a player.” Cheryl added.

“Me either, and his friend Jeff, did you see the Bryant sisters, both of them hanging on him, those girls are way too young to be around him.” Patty said. Both women continued their gossip, when patty said

“I know, I’ll tell Mike. My boy will know what to do.” Patty reassured Cheryl that her son was the right man for this job.

Beth finally caught up to Jill over by the boarded up front entrance of the building, where Menards has that weird carousel entrance. You could still see out through some of the slots through the boards, and through those boards had a nice close up look at the zombies sluggishly pulling themselves through the barbed wire and towards the building. Their hands reaching for anything to try and climb, flesh ripping off their bodies, some were stuck having had the razors dig so deep, they were completely immobile.

“Ok what was that kiss all about?” Beth said breathlessly. “Was it nice? It looked nice.” Beth said hoping Jill would dish some. Lord knows gossip was still a driving force in this ravaged land.  Jill turned around with a grin on her face.

“It was very nice. He just held me, and the kiss was so nice and gentle. It felt so comfortable, but I think he was nervous. Plus I’m so confused. So we fight, then we don’t talk for days and suddenly he kisses me. Is everything just supposed to go back to normal?” She told Beth while still staring out the window.

“I managed to beat Jack to the door so he didn’t see anything.” Beth told her.

“It wouldn’t have mattered anyway. I mean what’s supposed to come out of any of this?” Speaking with melancholy in her voice Jill just continued to stare out the window.

“Jack will die, soon, Casey and the other guys too. How long will any of us survive this whole thing, I’ve met and killed so many people on my wondrous travels, and it’s pretty pointless to care about anyone I guess.” She felt ready, ready to just walk outside amongst all the chaos and let it happen.

Putting her hand on Jill’s forehand to check for fever, “Maybe you should lie down and rest, today has not been your day.” Beth was trying to turn and escort Jill away from the door.

“Seriously though.” Jill stopped walking and stared at Beth, wanting an answer. “What’s the point of caring about or loving anyone now? Everyone I’ve run into the last year has died or they are lost somewhere out there and I’ll never see them again.” Jill just straight up pissed with the situation she’s found herself in. Like was she trapped into caring? Maybe Jeff was right about not wanting or needing rules just make go of it on your own.

“No honey, no.” Jill didn’t realize she had said that last part out loud. “That dumb ass is wrong. It’s easier to survive and live when the numbers are in your favor. No we can’t go shopping or on lunch dates anymore, no internet or cell phones. Were back to basics and making it work, please believe this. You have to stay here. You’re so valuable alive, we all need you.” Beth finished hoping her point was sinking in.

“Just as an extra gun. Another pair of hands to do work.” She was breaking it all down to straight basics.

“Don’t be stupid.” Beth was sick of the pity party that was happening here. “Jack is alive because of you helping him and being there for him. That boy and you both had no one, that’s probably how you bonded so fast and there’s nothing wrong with you worrying about him. And Casey, you should talk to him, obviously he feels something for you. Just don’t give up so easy Jill.” Beth gave her hand a hopefully comforting squeeze, and turned left to join her daughter now helping out with the onslaught. And Jill, left to ponder her own thoughts as she stared out the window some more, before receding to go find a bed and lay down.

Vikki marched after an angry teenager. This was getting old fast.

“Please talk to me.”

“No.” Cindi replied without even slowing down. Vikki jogged up and grabbed her shoulder and turned her daughter to face her.

“Listen young lady, I’m still your mother, as long as your here you’ll do as I say.”

“Not for long I won’t be.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Vikki asked puzzled.

“Nothing.” She folded her arms over her chest and sulked. Calmer now, Vikki tried again to speak to Cindi.

“Honey, please talk to me.” She stroked her daughters’ cheek as she had done countless times a before. “Please, what’s this about? Why are you so angry with me?” Cindi continued to stand and pout. She took a deep breath.

“I’m not a child anymore right?”

“No, you’re not. You’re a young lady on the cusp of adulthood.”

“Well why does dad still treat me like I’m a baby?”

“Oh honey, he loves both of you girls so much. You’ll always be his little girls. You both are in the process of growing up. He’ll change, you’ll see.” Vikki was almost sighing with relief. Finally she got her to talk.

“But he keeps trying to say who I can and can’t hang out with.” She looked down to kick a rock. Vikki didn’t like where this was going. Tom and she had both discussed briefly the few people Cindi hung out with, and one name kept coming up and they kept denying and skirting the issue. She had to find out for sure.

“Does this have anything to do with Tyler?” She couldn’t help the concern that slipped into her voice. Cindi stood there quietly saying nothing.

“Honey, sometimes when were young we think the world will end if . . .”

“Oh mom that’s such crap! You don’t know anything.” Cindi yanked her face away and stormed off almost running. Vikki had to stop the tears that wanted to fall, she needed to talk to Tom.

The day had been long, filled with fighting the good fight and dusk was now creeping in. They had planned a supply run for later in the week, but it had been decided that it couldn’t wait, while going out in the day light was much easier, the darkness made good cover though.

“Are you ready for this?” Casey asked Jack, while they helped load up the Mercedes SUV. It had sweet nav, self-heating seats and a moon roof that fully completed the driving experience. And there was the black Chevy Equinox with slick mag wheels, tinted windows and nice custom cattle catcher on the front, they liberated each vehicle, among others, from the car lots across the street.

“Stay focused, don’t stray from the group, and get only what’s on your list. Remember we can always go back for more.” Casey a little worried now.

“I’m good, I’m ready.” Jack was more than a little excited and scared, telling himself not to be cocky. Casey walked over a little ways and started whispering to Mike.

“Hey Mike, if that kid doesn’t come back, Jill will kill me. Please just go easy and let’s bring everyone back.” Casey said with all sincerity.

“You got it chief.” And they bumped fists.

Jill was watching from a far knowing this was important but not wanting them to risk their lives. She couldn’t hold back anymore and walked over to Jack, she had stayed away from him all day, but then she heard about this little excursion and needed to see Jack.

“Please come back.” Jill hugged him and said in his ear.

“I will.” Jack simply said. The people started to climb into the cars, when Jill suddenly said

“I’m coming with.”

“No you’re not.” Casey didn’t even blink, just stated for fact how it was.

“Yes. I am.” She said walking around the car towards him. “I’ll be right back, I’m going to get my stuff.” Jill said turning to leave.

“You know as soon as you walk away were leaving, you’re not going. Stay put, we’ll be back.” Casey told her calmly trying not to grind his teeth. 

“Will you be back?” Jill asked staring at Casey.

“I hope so. You always risk someone with these trips, but we have to get supplies, look for potential survivors, and do anything to continue to live.” Casey said staring right back at her. The bruise Jill was sporting under her eye had gotten darker since earlier in the day, the cut on her lip looker bigger and puffier too. Casey brought his thumb up to caress over Jill’s lips, making her a little uncomfortable, but she couldn’t turn away.

“I’m so sorry, about what happened.” He told her.

“This?” She pointed to her face. “Or our fight?” She was referring to their argument from days ago, and putting her hand over his to reassure him that there were no hard feelings.

“Both.” He’d said very quietly. “I’m so  . . sorry.” He whispered again to her and pressed his lips to hers for a second and then hopped into the driver’s seat of the Chevy lead car with the cattle catcher. Jack was riding shotgun and Lucy and Jane were in the back. Lucy was ready for this, this was her main reason for living now. The 2 cars rolled out of the complex, lights off until they hit the road, hopefully this wasn’t the last time anyone them were seen.

“When do I get out of this place?” Jeff asked with sheer frustration, having been locked in this dinky cell for about 10hrs he wanted out. He’d been locked up before, served 7yrs. in the Kentucky state pen, they have the chair there. He’d done snippets of time most all over the east coast and Midwest areas. Just couldn’t catch a break his public defenders would always say. And he didn’t get one this time either.

“Whenever Casey and them boys say so.” The once city police officer Russell said. He had been put in charge of a lot of the laws and law breaking around here. As more people came, it got harder to keep up, so certain members were “deputized” to help out as well.

“I thought your dumb ass was the law around here?” Jeff said sarcastically almost spitting with anger. Pacing back and forth in front of his cage like a lion.

“I am, smart ass. But seeing as how they witnessed your, atrocities towards a woman first hand, and they being in charge and junk, they kind of get to seal your fate. Don’t worry they vote on everything so it’s nice and fair like.” The cop said sitting down getting ready to eat his dinner. “I don’t think you’ll get thrown off the roof like the last guy.” The Russ said, knowing full well they had yet to throw anyone off the roof. But it was a fun threat. Russ figured messing with the prisoner was to be expected. Not many people had to come and cool their heels here lately so he was going to enjoy this while it lasted, because more than likely these 2 guys would be asked to leave as soon as the supply run was completed. Kurt had hinted as much the other day, and he had to agree. Some people just didn’t belong in civilized society, and Jeff and Tyler were those people. Hell if it was his call he’d kick a few more people out too, but he’d suppose no harm no foul, most seemed to get along, for now.

“So what was that kiss about?” Jack asked while looking straight ahead. Casey knew exactly what he was talking about, but chose not to answer right away. Causing Jack to turn and look at him and repeat his question. “The kiss? Why did you kiss Jill like that?” Casey looked in his rearview mirror, and saw the Mercedes behind them, and then Lucy and Jane in the backseat pretending like they weren’t listening.

“I guess I like Jill.” He stated, knowing full well that wouldn’t be good enough for Jack.

“Like her like how?” Casey should have seen that question coming.

“Like a man likes a woman.” Casey said. “Is that ok with you?” He asked honestly.

“I suppose, but who can’t mess with her, I mean, she’s been through a lot.” Jack told him matter of fact.

“She was ready to split, you know. Like after you guys had that fight.”

“She told you about that?!?” Casey turned to him and asked suddenly. Jack just smiled.

“No. You just confirmed my thoughts. I’m not stupid, I knew something had been up with her, especially when she was crying and ready to bolt.” The car returned to a silence, neither strained nor awkward.