Tammy and Ringo (5 page)

The shotgun was a Remington 870 with a cut down barrel and collapsible stock, a nice weapon for close quarters. The rifle was an AR of some kind with a chrome barrel, very light with a three point sling. He found several magazines for the rifle, two more for the pistol, and a large amount of ammunition, some for each of the weapons he’d found.

While Tammy cried herself out, Ringo loaded the plunder he’d found into the trunk of the car, hiding the weapons behind the spare and their other supplies. Chances were they were stolen and even with civilization crumbling being caught with them might be. . .bad. And he’d never use weapons he hadn’t had time to check out himself.

But they just might come in handy in the days ahead.

*****

By the time Ringo had finished, Tammy had composed herself. She washed her face with bottled water. That, and a few cleansing breaths had left her ready to face Ringo.

“You okay?” he asked. He didn’t approach her, giving her space.

“I’m fine,” she nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“No need,” he assured her, hand raised. “Would you rather. . .I mean, if you want me to go, I understand. I’m sorry I scared you.”

“You didn’t. . .well, yeah, you did scare me,” Tammy admitted. “But you were right, too. I. . .I can see that, now. I could see it then, but. . . .”

“But you were a little freaked out,” Ringo nodded. “Like I said, if you’re uncomfortable with me, we can. . . .”

“No,” Tammy’s voice was firmer. “You saved me. If you hadn’t been with me, I’d still be at the bridge. Or I’d have been here alone. Or. . ., well, you get the idea,” she managed to grin.

“I. . .uh, cleaned up a little and there was some stuff in their truck I thought we could use, so. . . .”

“I saw it,” she nodded. “What should we do now?”

“Leaving is a fine option,” Ringo admitted, waving in the general direction of the truck and its former occupants.

“Leaving it is, then,” Tammy nodded once more. She took one last look at the scene around them.

“Let’s go.”

CHAPTER FOUR

They stayed off the interstate. Ringo had noted the time and suggested they try and find a safe place to spend the night. Tammy agreed. If Ringo could drive she would have insisted they carry on. But he couldn’t, and she was exhausted.

Three miles down the road they found a place.

Birdsong Bed and Breakfast was a well- kept colonial style house with a large lawn and beautiful flower garden. The two had agreed with a nod that this was a good place to seek shelter for the night.

Tammy parked on the circle drive in front of the house and the two got out, walking up on the large porch. Tammy rang the bell and a moment later an older man answered, opening the door only slightly.

“Help you?” he asked, keeping his right hand behind him.

“We’re hoping for a place to spend the night,” Tammy admitted. “We’ve been on the road since early and need to rest.”

“We’re closed,” the man said, though not unkindly. “Sorry.”

“Please, sir,” Tammy pleaded. “All we want is one night. I’m trying to get home to my father and the bridge is blocked. I have to try and find another way across the river tomorrow, but. . .well, it would be dark before I can reach another bridge a. And I can’t drive much further.”

The man looked at Ringo.             

“I, ah, can’t drive, sir,” he looked down slightly. “Never learned how.”

“Never?” the man’s suspicions were overridden by this fact.

“No one to teach me, sir, and no car to drive anyway,” Ringo shrugged. “Never came up before now,” he admitted.

“Son, everyone should know how to drive,” the older man told him seriously.

“I’m learning that today, sir,” Ringo sighed. “Too late to do me any good, though.”

“Hiram, who is it?” An older woman joined him at the door.

“Two kids, looking for a place to stay,” Hiram replied.

“Let them in,” the woman said, eyeing the two.

“Helen, we agreed. . . .”

“They need help,” Helen shook her head. “Look at her,” she whispered, too soft for the ‘kids’ to hear. Hiram looked back and realized for the first time that the girl was shaking like a leaf.

“Come in,” he said, opening the door wider.

“Thank you,” Tammy almost sobbed but caught herself.

“I’ll get your bag,” Ringo offered. Tammy nodded and allowed the older woman to guide her inside.

“She’s had a. . .it’s been a hard day for her,” Ringo told Hiram. “Thanks.”

“Looks like you ain’t had it so well yourself,” the man replied. His right hand deposited a Colt .45 into his rear waist band. “You need a hand?”

“No, but. . .I do have something to tell you,” Ringo hesitated. Would Hiram turn them in? He didn’t know. “If you can listen while I get our things, it would keep her from having to hear it. Again.”

“All right,” Hiram surprised him. “Sorry I was a little short, by the way,” he continued as the two stepped down to the car. “Been a rash of trouble around here today. Several people killed, robbed, things like that. Can’t be too careful.” Ringo stopped short.

“You know who did it?” he asked.

“Just two, maybe three men, in a big truck,” Hiram replied.

“Hiram, you can probably forget about that,” Ringo said softly. “Three men in a truck like that tried to attack us a little while ago, not far from here.”

“Tried?” Hiram’s eyebrow rose a bit.

“Yes, sir,” Ringo said respectfully. “They were after Tammy.”

“Lot of past tense in your sentences, son,” Hiram said gently.

“I. . .took care of it,” Ringo told him evenly. “I have something that. . .well, they had these,” he admitted, reaching into his pockets and removing the jewelry, handing it over. “Two had blood on them. Well, other than their own,” he added. Hiram took the rings and other jewelry from the teenager.

“Son, I don’t mean to be suspicious, but. . .how did you manage to take on all three of them and win?”

“They underestimated me,” Ringo shrugged. “And I’m a little tougher than I look,” he admitted.

“I’d say that’s a given,” Hiram snorted. “I’ll have to call the sheriff,” he warned.

“I understand,” Ringo replied, taking Tammy’s duffle and his own backpack from the car. “Do what you have to. I did what I did to protect her. If there’s consequences, I’ll accept them. But only after she’s safe,” he added.

“Sheriff Ball might not agree to that,” Hiram warned again.

“It would be in his best interest,” Ringo shrugged. “I intend to see that girl home, or as close as I can get her. And I’ll walk through or over anyone or anything I have to in order to make that happen.”

Hiram looked at the boy in front of him, reappraising his early assessment.

“You two together?” he asked.

“Just met today,” Ringo shook his head.

“She must have made a good first impression.”

“Saved my life,” Ringo agreed.

“Well, I reckon there’s no need to call until. . .tomorrow, anyway,” Hiram grinned slightly.             

“Thank you, sir,” Ringo nodded.

“No, thank you, son,” Hiram sighed. “Might sleep better tonight, now.”

“I wouldn’t,” Ringo shrugged. “World’s gone crazy.”

“Ain’t it though,” Hiram agreed. “C’mon, let’s get you two some hot food and maybe a bath. You might need a new shirt, too,” he nodded. Ringo noticed for the first time he had blood on him.

“I’ve got a spare,” he nodded.

*****

“You poor dear,” Helen consoled Tammy, who had just told essentially the same story to her hostess. “I’m glad your young man is so capable. Good men are hard to find these days.”

“He’s not mine,” Tammy smiled. “I just met him this morning.”

“Well, I’m glad you did,” Helen insisted. “Some things are meant to be, honey, and God always leads us to the people we need most. I met my Hiram at a USO dance at Fort Campbell.”

“That sounds very romantic,” Tammy smiled.

“He was on his way to Korea,” Helen smiled softly. “A perfect gentleman.”

“Hard to find nowadays,” Tammy nodded.

“They weren’t any easier to find back then, either,” Helen frowned. “But once in a great while you get lucky. I got very lucky indeed.” Helen stood.

“And it appears you did, too,” she smiled. “Now, you sit here and rest. Bathroom is down the hall, on the left. I’ll fix the two of you something hot. Trail food isn’t enough in times like this.”

“Please, don’t go to any trouble,” Tammy asked.

“It’s no trouble, child,” Helen replied. “I’m blessed to do it.” With that she disappeared into the kitchen.

Tammy was asleep before Hiram and Ringo made it back inside.

*****

“Tammy,” Ringo called gently, shaking her shoulder. “Tammy, Miss Helen has supper ready,” he told her. Her eyes suddenly flared wide open, panic running wild as she looked at Ringo, then at her surroundings.

“Hey, it’s okay,” he said softly. “Remember, we’re safe. We’re at the Bed & Breakfast. Miss Helen said you should eat something.” He watched as recognition dawned in her tired eyes and the panic subsided. She smiled up at him wanly, accepting the hand up he offered her.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured.

“Don’t be,” Ringo shook his head. “You’ve had a rough day. C’mon, Miss Helen sets a mean table from the look of it.” His voice was a little hoarse, she noticed.

“What’s wrong with your voice?” she asked, concerned.

“Talked more today than I have in a month,” he shrugged. “Throat’s a little sore.”

“You really don’t talk much, do you?” she said kindly.

“Not usually,” he shrugged again. “Have to make exceptions once in a while.” The two entered the dining room, where Helen had indeed set a mean table.

“You two sit,” she ordered kindly. “You need a good meal and then a good night’s sleep.”

“Yes, ma’am,” both answered in unison, then laughed.

Once the blessing was said the food started making the rounds.

“Mister Hiram, is there anything you need help with around here?” Ringo asked between bites of ham and mashed potatoes. “Long as I’m here, I’d like to help if I can.” Hiram looked at the boy, young man, with something akin to affection.

“Son, that’s right kind of you, but as far as I know we’re in good shape.”

“You think of anything, you let me know, okay?” Ringo insisted. “You folks have done us a great kindness today. I’d like to help you some way, if I can.”

“You helped me plenty a little while ago,” Hiram said cryptically. “But if we think of anything, I’ll tell you.” He hesitated, then looked to Helen, who nodded.

“If you two are of a mind to stay, you’re welcome,” he said suddenly. “We’re in a good place, and if things get more pear-shaped than they already are, this is as good a spot to be in as any.”

Tammy looked at Ringo, who simply nodded to her. This was her trip and she was trying to get home or to something like it. He’d do whatever she wanted.

“That’s very kind of you,” she said softly. “You don’t even know us.”

“I know enough to know you two are good folks,” Hiram replied and Helen nodded her agreement.

“Don’t think we need help,” she said, her voice kind. “It’s just. . .well, the two of you alone, out in all this mess, I don’t like it. If you need a place to ride out this storm, we have one.”

“Let me sleep on it,” Tammy temporized. “I’m too tired to make a good decision, to be honest.”

“Smart girl,” Helen nodded again, pleased. “Never make a decision when you aren’t at your sharpest if you can help it.”

“Where did you two come from? Memphis, was it?” Hiram asked. The talk then turned to what the two had encountered during their adventure so far, a bit more detailed than their earlier accounting. The older couple was forthcoming with information they had and what their day had been like as well.

“I’ll call a friend of mine with the State Troopers later on,” Hiram promised. “To see if he knows about the other bridges and traffic in general. Maybe he’ll know.”

“The bridge here is probably not going to re-open at least for a few days,” Ringo told him. “There. . .there were infected on the bridge. No way of knowing how many. Or what damage they’ve done.”

“I remember,” Hiram nodded. “Well, there’s the HAM and the CB. I can try and reach out to folks I know and see what information they have. Can’t hurt,” he shrugged.

“We’re grateful to you,” Tammy said softly. “I can’t begin to tell you.”

“All I ask is that you help someone else if you have the chance and the means,” Helen smiled. “I’ve lived my whole life like that, sweetie. It’s never failed me.”

“I promise,” Tammy replied, meaning every word. She sighed, looking down at her cleaned plate.

“I think I’d like to clean up and get some sleep,” she said. “I know it’s still light out, but today. . . .”

              “Don’t you worry, honey,” Helen nodded, rising. “Come and let me show you where you’ll be staying.” The two women left the room, still talking. Hiram looked at Ringo.

“You’ll do whatever she decides, won’t you?” he asked after a minute.

“Yes, sir.”

“Yeah, I recognized that look,” Hiram chuckled. “Give it to my missus all the time.”

“We’re really not a couple,” Ringo shrugged. “I. . .I just don’t have anywhere to go, anywhere I need to be. She helped me when she didn’t have to. I didn’t really need it, but she did it anyway. So, I made it my business to see to it she can get home if I can manage it.”

“You’ve no family, then?” Hiram asked.

“None,” Ringo shook his head. “Not anymore.”

“I’m sorry, son,” Hiram said gently.

“It’s okay,” Ringo shrugged. “You can’t miss what you can’t remember. My parents were always traveling. Died that way, in a plane crash when I was a boy. My uncle took me in, taught me. . .well, he taught me to be a man. This sickness got him, late yesterday. Seems like a lifetime ago, now,” he admitted. “So there’s no one to miss me, now.”

“I’d say that girl would miss you if something happened to you,” Hiram noted.

“She’ll have to miss me if I can get her home,” Ringo replied. “No way they’re letting me on an Army base. But if I can get her to one, then. . .well, then I’ll go my way and see what I see.”

“This virus,” Hiram changed the subject, “you know it’s spreading fast. Too fast.”

“Yes, sir.”

“The news people have started calling them 'zombies' late this afternoon, you know that?” Hiram was watching him closely.

“Just panic, I’d say,” Ringo eased back in his chair, finally full. He paused to drain his tea glass. When he set it down Hiram refilled it.

“They have to call it something,” Ringo went on. “But they aren’t really zombies. They’re not ‘undead’, or anything else supernatural. They’re just sick. Rabid.”