The Returners (7 page)

"That would be amazing. I only have a couple of shirts with me." Fresh clothes would be great even if they were too big. He hadn't had clean clothes in awhile, his were starting to get in rough shape. “A haircut and beard trim sounds amazing. I've almost forgotten what I look like without this shaggy hair and beard.”

"I'll see what I can come up with for clothes. Now go get cleaned up and enjoy your shower." 

Without thinking he leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. Her face turned red as she blushed at the gesture.

"Thank you for everything Jessica, really." He turned and headed towards the shower.

Jessica's heart was beating so fast she thought it would come out of her chest. It had only been a kiss on the forehead, but it had sent shivers of excitement through her body. She felt like a school girl who's crush had just asked her to the prom. For a moment frozen with a strange nervousness as she watched Jacob walk away before she turned to go inside.

A large wooden chest sat near the end of her bed. It was where her father had stored his camp clothes as he'd always called them. Jessica slowly opened it, being extra careful to not make any noise and wake Emily. She grabbed a pair of pants and a flannel shirt as well as her scissors before closing the chest. Jessica took one last look at Emily sleeping before going outside and closing the cabin door. Once outside she slid the wooden latch down across the front so it couldn't be opened from the inside. Pausing, she took a deep breath to collect herself and headed back to the shower.

Jacob had put the hot water in the washtub and closed the lid. He stripped down and placed his clothes on a small wooden table that sat just outside the shower. Stepping in he turned the water on. It came out in a heavy mist that was surprisingly warm and he stood for a moment letting the warmth rush over his body. Taking a few seconds to enjoy the comforting sensation that it brought.

Jessica saw the pile of clothes on the table and could hear the water splashing against the walls.

"I brought you those clean clothes, I hope they fit. How's the shower working?" She said as she placed the clean clothes down on the table.

"This is amazing. I don't think this could get any better. Almost makes me feel normal again."

Jessica stood there, her mind racing at what she was about to do. Taking a deep breath she quickly removed her clothes and placed them on the table beside Jacob's. Her naked flesh now exposed to the cool spring air. She needed this, needed to feel loved and alive, even if only for a moment. It had been so long since she'd felt anything other than fear and anger. In a short time Jacob had changed all that.

Nervousness, anticipation and excitement came over her as she went to the front of the shower. Sliding the plastic to the side she stepped in.

Jacob was caught off guard, surprised to see Jessica standing before him. Both of them stood there silently, eyes locked. Jacob couldn't believe what was happening, it was like he was dreaming. He thought Jessica was beautiful before, but with her standing before him naked she looked like a goddess. Wanting to tell her how beautiful she was he started to speak, but Jessica put a finger to his lips and smiled, silencing him.

She pressed her body against his, wrapping her arms around him. Neither of them said a word as their lips met passionately, her firm breast pressing against his chest. Jacob's hands slid to her buttocks and lifted her off the ground, her legs wrapping around him as he did. Time seemed to stop as they lost themselves in each other and made love. Letting primal passion and longing take over, emotions neither had felt for a very long time. Emotions neither of them were sure they would ever experience again until this very moment.

Ray was woken by knocking at the bedroom door and his daughter’s voice.

"They're here," Briella said.

"Be out in a minute." Ray laid there for a moment trying to clear his head before getting out of bed and standing up.

He exited the bedroom and stepped into the kitchen where he saw Dave, Kyle, and Jimmy already sitting around the table. Briella was putting food on their plates, but no one was eating yet. The plates were rounded over with potatoes, venison and carrots. All the vegetables had been harvested last summer from their garden.

This meal was a staple for the group, occasionally they would get something different, but only if they managed to scavenge up canned goods on a supply run. That seemed to happen less and less as runs were becoming increasingly infrequent. It was simply too dangerous to risk going into once populated areas unless absolutely necessary. Every time they did, there was a risk someone might not come back. Out here Returners were infrequent, but once you got into the towns it was a different story. It was a risk Ray wasn't comfortable taking unless absolutely necessary, especially with their dwindling numbers.

"I got Jimmy and Kyle like you asked," Dave said excitedly when he saw Ray appear from the bedroom.

It seemed like he was expecting Ray to pat him on the back and compliment him for doing what he was asked. Dave had never really been the sharpest tack around. When he got no response he looked down at his plate of food in embarrassment. The other men  broke out in laughter at his childlike excitement over a simple completed task.

"Good." Ray sat down at the table. "Now let’s eat and we'll discuss what's going to happen tonight."

The four men dug into the food. Briella didn't sit at the table and eat, instead she went to the kitchen and began to clean. Her father didn't like her sitting at the table when they had guest over. He thought it gave the wrong impression to the rest of the group that he wasn't in charge. She would eat later, once everyone had left.

"We're going back to that cabin tonight. It will be the four of us, as well as Joe who's already waiting there. I'm not worried about the women, but the guy looks like he could be trouble," Ray said as he shoveled a spoonful of food into his mouth.

Ray was always kind of vague when explaining a plan. Everyone in the room knew that. Most of the time you just followed his lead and figured it out as it happened. They knew they were going for supplies, whatever they could scavenge from the cabin. It was a lot easier to hit a place like that than risk going back into one of the surrounding towns.

Going into towns like Greenstone or one of the others was always a gamble. One they usually didn't take unless there were no other options.

"I want to make sure we get every item we can use out of that cabin," Ray said in between bites of food. "Anyone have any questions?"

Everyone remained silent. It was better to just shut up and not ask, even if they did have a question. They all knew how Ray's temper was, it was best not to stir the pot and ask something that might set him off. You never knew what that might be. They continued to eat and didn't initiate any more conversation until they were almost done eating.

"Ray, what time we heading out?" Dave asked. His words were almost indistinguishable as his mouth was full of food.

"Dammit Dave! Have some class, don't talk with your mouth full." Ray spoke with a tone of displeasure in his voice. They might be out in the middle of the woods and living in apocalyptic times, but he expected some form of civility.

Dave knew immediately it was in his best interest to apologize for his lack of couth and made sure he swallowed his food before he spoke again.

"Sorry Ray."

"To answer your question, we're going to hike back as soon as we're done eating. Travel light, just your backpacks and weapons," Ray said, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

Ray got up from the table and looked at his Daughter who was still standing in the kitchen waiting for them to finish their meal.

"The dinner was amazing as usual Briella. You definitely have your mother’s touch when it comes to cooking."

"Thank you," Was all she said as she continued to clean and look down at what she was doing.

Ray looked back towards the men at the table. "Finish eating and lets get this show on the road." He walked off going back into the bedroom.

The group quickly finished up, thanking Briella for the meal before they stood up and walked outside the cabin. They went their separate ways to retrieve the gear they needed. All of them returned to Ray's camp within minutes and waited outside for him. Soon he came out, a large knapsack slung over his shoulder and a lever action 30-30 rifle in his hands. He walked down the steps and headed towards the pond, never speaking to the group. They knew what was expected of them, and followed in a single file line as they began marching towards their destination.

********

Jessica and Jacob stood in the shower holding each other long after the water had run out. It had stopped flowing from the nozzle ten minutes ago, but neither wanted to break their embrace. Jessica's head rested against Jacobs chest and neither of them spoke, they just stood there enjoying a moment of serenity and comfort. Everything happened so suddenly that neither of them had a chance to absorb what had taken place yet.

Jacob felt more alive than he had in a very long time. There was comfort in having her in his arms, one that made all the bad things disappear. Even though they had only known each other for a short time, he felt like they could build a life together. At least as much of a life as one could build in a world where the dead were coming back to life.

Cold air was starting to seep in through the thin plastic now and he felt Jessica shiver in his arms.

"Think we better get dressed before we catch a cold," Jacob said, running his fingers through her hair.

Lifting her head Jessica looked into his eyes, leaned forward and kissed him one last time before tentatively breaking their embrace. Pulling the plastic aside Jessica stepped out of the shower, Jacob right behind her. Grabbing her clothes from the table she felt his arms slide around her, putting his hands in hers. They stood like this for a few minutes before separating. Letting the warm noon day sun warm them.

Jessica turned around and kissed him again. "Thank you. You don't know how much all of that meant to me." Jessica's voice was soft spoken, and seemed almost on the verge of tears. The emotions of what had just transpired finally beginning to hit her.

"Anytime beautiful." He kissed her on the forehead and then grabbed the clothes she had set on the table for him. They both began to get dressed.

"I hope those fit you okay," She said as she finished putting her clothes on.

"They don't fit bad actually. The shirts a little big, but the pants will be fine as long as I use my belt," Jacob said as he finished buttoning up the shirt. “Rather have the shirt be a little loose anyway.”

Jessica looked up at him. "Glad I didn't throw those out or use em' for rags."

"I'm glad you didn't either, feels nice to be in clean clothes again."

She walked over to him and pulled the collar on his shirt down. “Now, how about that hair cut and beard trim.”

"Yes ma'am." Jacob sat down on a log beside the table. "What are we going tell Emily?" 

She took his hand in hers. "For now, we're not going tell Emily anything. I don't feel the time is right." 

"I understand." The look in her eyes told him all he needed to know. Even though they both felt something for one another he could tell she was as confused as he was about what had taken place. It was hard telling how Emily might react, better to just let it be what it was than to jump too quickly into something they weren't sure of. For all either of them knew what they had just shared could be nothing more than a fleeting moment of desire and lust. He didn't believe that though, there was more of a connection there than that.

"Thank you. I'm glad you understand." She let go of his hand and grabbed the scissors from the table. "Now lets get started on that hair cut.”

Jessica put his old shirt around his neck to prevent hair from going down his shirt and went to work. It was strange having someone cutting his hair again. Truthfully it was something he didn't think he would ever have the luxury of again with the way the world had turned. There was a comfortable content silence between them as Jessica worked away.

It took Jessica nearly twenty-five minutes to get everything looking decent. It had been a long time since she'd cut anyone's hair, not since before her husband has passed away. She stood back and looked at her work, making sure everything was even.

“Not bad if I say so myself.” Jessica unwrapped the shirt from around Jacobs neck and blew away the hair.  “You want me to trim the beard up?”

“I don't know, I've become kind of attached to it. Makes me feel all rugged and manly,”  Jacob said with a chuckle.

“You know, I kind of like it myself.” She ran her fingers through it and smiled at him.

“Well then, I think I better keep it, at least for now.” Standing up he winked at her and smiled back. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome. There's a mirror inside, you'll be able to see what it looks like at least.”

“Hopefully it's not a mullet.”

Both of them began laughing at Jacob's comment as they headed inside.

Joe had been sitting in the woods observing everything going on and almost felt guilty about watching the woman undress. There was something about the voyeuristic nature of it that was exciting and foreboding. It added an extra layer of danger to the situation because he knew it was wrong. He had to admit the woman was very beautiful and he liked what he saw.

Only once before had he seen a real woman naked. That was the time he was standing guard over Briella while she bathed. He had his back turned to her when she let out a scream. Instincts took over and he spun around prepared to defend her. When he came about-face Briella was standing before him completely nude.

Wide eyed and opened jawed he stared at her for a moment, speechless. Forgetting why he had turned around in the first place. She slapped him across the face before he even realized what he was doing and bring himself to say anything.

"Over there on the shore." She pointed to a Returner that stood on the far end of the bathing area. 

His eyes went to where she pointed and raised his pistol. He aimed and fired one shot, striking the Returner in the head. There was a delayed reaction on the Returner's part as a trickle of blood poured from the wound. It didn't even realize it had been shot and took a few steps forward before falling backwards and crashing into the brush.

"I'm sorry Briella." His voice cracked with embarrassment. His eyes focused on the ground as his face turned bright red.

"Its okay, I over reacted. You can look up now." 

He looked up. She had slipped her dress back on and seemed to be as embarrassed as he was. Her face had a red tint to it as well that told him that.

"Thank you.” Briella quickly kissed him on the cheek. “Now lets get going. My father will freak out if we aren't back soon." 

They headed back to camp and all he could do was blush and smile the entire time they were walking. He'd only ever had one girl kiss him, and that was only a few months before the world had gone to shit. Even though it was just a kiss on the cheek, it began his infatuation with Briella.

That had been last summer and he still thought about Briella all the time. She was beautiful and kind, the exact opposite of her father. He knew they could never be together though. Her father wouldn't allow any guys in the group near her other than him and Dave. That was only to watch over her when she needed to go somewhere or do something around the camps.

Thinking about what Ray would do to him if he knew how he felt about his daughter made him shudder. Knowing more than most people about how cold and evil Ray could be made it even worse.

Joe tried to clear his head and focus on his task, knowing Ray and the others would be on their way back by now. He really didn't like the thought of what Ray might make them do, but he didn't feel he had any other choice. What Ray might do to him if he spoke up quickly erased any thought of doing so from his mind.