We drove out and I reflected on the past few months. Sometimes I joked with Tommy that had I known the world was going to end up like this, I would have just shot myself and saved myself the trouble. But I was never one to give up that quickly. Besides, I found myself thinking less and less about what life was like before and found myself looking forward to the challenges that faced me now. Gone were the tedious duties of school administration, gone were the meetings and parent phone calls and the conferences. We have been driven to the brink of destruction. The only question remaining was “Will you die today or tomorrow?” I thought about the rest of the world. I had no idea what had become of the government, the rest of the country, the rest of the world. For all I knew, we were the last.
We moved quickly down I-80 and I took the exit to I-355. I was taking a long detour, but the hope was to reach our destination quickly by avoiding population centers. The last time we moved through a town, a thousand ghouls followed us. I wasn’t keen on a repeat.
We moved north and slowly came to a halt. The road was jammed with cars, running about a mile back from the toll booths. So much for the Open-Road Tolling concept. I looked left for a way around as Charlie looked right. He shook his head at me at the same time I shook my head at him. We would have to go back. There was no way to get through, and we could see many of the cars were occupied. It would be suicide to try and move through that mess. Maybe if I had an interstate snow plow, but not a mini-SUV.
We turned around and headed back down the on-ramp and back onto the west-bound lane of I-80. It still felt weird driving on the left side of the road, even though I knew no traffic was headed my way. I got back onto LaGrange road and headed north. Oh, well. Nothing is ever easy. Charlie had Kristen pass up his rifle, and he stuck it out the window to signal to the cars behind us that it was time to be ready. We were moving into potential hostile territory, and we needed to be prepared.
On my right was a subdivision, and we could already see dozens of zombies moving in between the houses. Many of the homes were burned out-husks, and many had windows broken in or doors torn from their hinges. I could see smoke coming from a few homes that were still smoldering. This neighborhood had been hit hard. I doubted anyone was alive in there. Nearly every home had a mailbox with a white flag on it. It made sense. Lots of these people commuted to the city where they likely picked up the virus. We moved by as quickly as we could, but we were running into some traffic that we had to go around. I angled onto the shoulder, and managed to avoid some of the worst snarls. But I couldn’t avoid them all. A big SUV was jammed on the shoulder, and I couldn’t go any further unless I moved the stupid thing. I parked the SUV and got out, Charlie coming with me. Jakey was sleeping, so I told Kristen to get in the driver’s seat to be ready to move if needed.
There was a big forest preserve to West, and Charlie eyed it for a minute.
“If we had a place in the middle of that, the Z’s wouldn’t ever get close ‘cause of the brush.” he said.
I chanced a glance. “If you like that, you’ll love where we are going.” I said, moving towards the SUV. I was hopeful we could move it without too much trouble. I came up on the driver’s side, unholstering my SIG, just in case. I checked the mirror, but didn’t see anything. I looked over at Charlie, but he couldn’t see anything on his side either. When I got within reach, I tapped the glass, trying to activate any “sleepers”, zombies who had gone quiet and were just waiting for stimulus.
No response. I tried the rear door, but it was locked. I went to the driver’s door, and was surprised when it opened. I was even more surprised when a female zombie fell out and started crawling towards me, scrambling to get to her feet. She had blood over her face and hands, and it completely covered her clothes. I could see a crude bandage on her arm, indicating how she got infected.
I danced back, bringing up my SIG. She followed me, rising to her feet and shuffling forward, her blood-covered mouth opening in a deep moan. She raised her hands towards me and reached out with blackened fingernails to rend and tear.
I sidled backwards and was about to fire when I managed to trip and fall on my butt. I kept my gun, but the zombie had closed in and was about to fall on me. Shit and damn. I thought. Gotta move, NOW! I hooked the zombie’s ankle with my left foot while I pushed on her knee with my right. That was a trick they taught us in administrator’s school to keep uncontrollable kids from getting on top of us. She fell backwards and gave me a chance to get to my feet and back away. I was about to shoot when Charlie stepped up and put a round through her head. Her face was a mask of rage and would stay that way forever.
“Graceful.” Charlie said, lowering his rifle. “Can I get dinner with the show?” he asked.
I flipped him off. “Only if you kiss me first, sweetie.” I said, smiling.
My smile faded as I looked at the subdivision across the retention pond. Zombies were literally pouring out from between the houses, falling over each other as they stumbled down the retention walls in search of prey. Their collective moan was disturbing to say the least, and we needed to get the hell out of there right now.
“Get the car, I’ll move the SUV!” I yelled at Charlie. He bolted for the driver’s side while Kristen dove for the back seat and I ran for the SUV. I jumped into the seat and looked for the key. Thankfully, it was still in the ignition. I turned it, not expecting anything, and was proven right. But the key allowed me to put the big vehicle in gear. I signaled to Charlie to push with the CR-V, and he bumped me in reply. I steered the vehicle while being pushed, and Charlie came to a stop and let me drift out of the way. I glanced at the back seat of the SUV as I climbed out and immediately wished I hadn’t. There were two car seats back there and a lot of blood and bits of decaying gore. Two small heads were slowly rising out of the cargo area, and I wasn’t sticking around.
No time for commiserating. I ran back to the CR-V and saw that the zombies had closed the distance and were starting to swarm through the cars at us. I shot one in the head that was too close to the car and shot another that was starting to pound on the windows of the truck. I missed his head, but hit him in the neck, severing his spine and dropping him in his tracks. A hit’s a hit. I dove for the passenger door and managed to close the door almost completely. Another zombie got his hand in the door and was trying desperately clawing at me. I was holding the door closed and shouting at Charlie. “Go, go, go!” The zombies were starting to surround the cars, and I could see they had the numbers to overwhelm us and get a new meal. Charlie hammered the gas, and shot away, knocking over two smaller zombies and flattening a third. The other cars followed our lead and escaped through the hole we made. The swarm howled in protest and started a shambling pursuit.
We raced away as fast as we could, still dragging a corpse with us who refused to let go. I shifted in my seat until I was facing backwards, then pushed the door open. The zombie, a skinny kid in black clothing, hissed and snapped at me and tried to claw with his other hand. I shot him in the face and he fell away, spinning under the wheels of the Jeep behind us. Jakey screamed in protest at the noise, and Kristen had a time comforting him.
“Sorry, little buddy.” I said, returning to my seat. I glanced at Charlie and he just shook his head. I told him to take the next turn left. We needed to avoid population centers as best as we could. I figured the side roads might be passable. If not, at least there was less chance of a swarm. I exhaled loudly and Charlie just nodded.
We headed down the side street and I motioned for Charlie to head north again at the second road. There weren’t any cars there, and the community to the south was gated and fenced, so the zombies in there were effectively trapped. If anyone was in there, they were trapped as well. Not that we could do anything about it at this point.
We headed through a wooded area, and I once again hoped to hell I was right about where we were going. I had a backup, but it was going to be tight if it came to that. We passed several houses, and a few more high-end subdivisions. I could see several occupied homes, but none living.
I saw a small home tucked away in the woods and told Charlie to head for it. It was away from the road for a bit and something about it made me want to take a closer look. Maybe it was the handwritten sign that said ‘If you can read this: Welcome.’ The two vehicles behind us swung down the same driveway. The driveway was flanked and gated by two stone pillars, and the property was ringed by an unkempt hedge. It made as effective a fence as our cargo containers. Any zombie horde would never get through that, only adding to its strength with their numbers. Charlie pulled to a stop and turned off the CR-V. We all got out, and stretched a little. I used the small rest to replenish the magazine in my SIG.
Tommy and Duncan strolled up from the Jeep. “So what’s up? You planning another gymnastics show?” Tommy said, punching me on the arm. Duncan snickered.
“No, moron, I just wanted a closer look here.” I said, indicating the property with a sweep of my hand.
Duncan scowled. “Why? There’s nobody here. Don’t matter what the sign said.”
I pointed to the chimney. “Then who lit the fire? Zombie’s don’t feel the cold.”
That changed the equation. Duncan and Tommy went to alert and Charlie started a slow recon around the house, stopping when I held out a hand. “Wait here.”
I walked toward the small dwelling, taking off my hat and gloves. I started whistling, and was rewarded with a moaning from out back. I looked back at Tommy, and he and Duncan circled around the garage, guns at the ready.
I continued walking towards the house, and when I was about fifteen feet away, spoke out.
“Hello the house! Anyone in there?” I didn’t want to yell too loudly, but I didn’t want to get shot by mistake, either.
The door opened and a woman stepped out. She was roughly fifty years old, wearing a big flannel jacket and work boots. Her hair was curly red, and she had calloused, work-hardened hands. A big smile lit up her face when she saw us, and she set aside the rifle she had been carrying.
“Hello yourself. Now who might you folks be?” Her voice had a slight Irish lilt to it, and her eyes twinkled a bit as she spoke, like she was the only one who was going to get the joke. I liked her immediately.
I introduced myself and the rest. “I’m John Talon, and that serious-looking gent over there is Charlie, those two coming around the corner would be Tommy and Duncan, and there’s about six more of us in the cars behind us.”
“Quite a group. I’m Dot. You all headed south for the winter?” She asked, putting her hands in her pockets. I thought I caught the outline of a handgun in there, but I couldn’t be sure.
“No, ma’am, we’re heading to a safe place for the winter.” I replied
“Ain’t no such place, son, you know that. But by the looks of you, I bet you could make near anyplace safe if you put your mind to it.” Dot said, cocking her head to the side and seeming to look through me.
I looked down briefly and shifted my feet. “That may be true. Listen, we’re just looking for a spot to rest for a spell before we push on. Do you mind if we stop here a bit? We just managed to wiggle out of a tough spot, and could use a little regroup.”
Dot smiled. “No problem. Haven’t had company in a while, and George ain’t much for conversation.” She picked up her rifle and came out to the cars to meet the rest of the crew. She spent the most time with Jake, who waved his hands at her. I took him out of the car seat and carried him towards the house.
“Would you mind if I borrow a chair? Jake needs his bottle and he’s getting too heavy to carry while he eats.” I asked.
Dot smiled again. “Help yourself. The green one is a good feeding chair.”
We went inside and I saw the house was neat and tidy. Mementos lined the fireplace, which crackled with a warm fire. One wall of the small living room was lined with shelves overflowing with books, and a quick glance showed a variety of interests. The kitchen was lit by hurricane lamps, and the whole house just exuded warmth. If it wasn’t for the need to move on, this would be a nice place to stay for a while.
Dot sat down to watch Jakey eat. “Been a while since I saw a baby. He’s a beautiful boy.” She said.
“Takes after his mother.” I said, smiling at my son.
“You’re a good man for remembering her like that.” Dot said, reading me like a book.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“What I mean is anyone with a good eye can see he looks like you, but you carry a good memory of your dead wife with you, so you see her in him. Nothing wrong with that, just shows you loved your wife and miss her. But it will pass. All things do.” Dot said, reaching out and stroking Jake’s hair, casting a knowing eye at Sarah, who looked away.
I didn’t say anything, just committing every part of the scene to memory. Jake feeding quietly, the fire popping occasionally, my close friends relaxing nearby. I nearly jumped when Dot spoke again.
“Eventually I will have to kill George, but for now it’s just too hard.” She said.
I burst out of my reflections. “Wh-what?” I stammered.
“George. My husband. He’s out back. He took the sickness that killed everyone else. When he turned I moved him outside.” Dot said this as calmly as if she had said it was Tuesday.
Duncan spoke up. “No kidding. There’s a zombie chained to the shed out back. He’s pretty secured. Tommy got close enough to see his bridgework, and there was no danger.”
Dot smiled at my reaction. “No, I ain’t crazy. George and I had been married since I was seventeen, and it’s hard to let go after so long. I’ve dug his grave and made his marker, but I just can’t finish him.”
As nutty as it sounds, I was actually sympathetic. I could see how someone would be hesitant to kill a family member, and in all likelihood, that reluctance got a lot of people killed or infected.
I finished with Jake, and gently burped him. He wiggled a bit and then leaned towards Dot. She smiled and asked to hold him. I didn’t see a problem so I let him go. He immediately started playing with her hair, and her smile made him laugh. It was good to see Jake happy, and it was good to see him making someone else happy.
After a little while, I figured it was time to go. We had been here long enough, and if we had attracted the attention of local zombies, I didn’t want to put Dot at risk.
I rallied the group and they headed out to the cars. Charlie asked me a question with his eyes and I put the question to Dot.
“Dot? I can’t thank you enough for letting us remember what hospitality is like. Would you like to come with us? We’re going to the office condos on 131 ^ st street.” I asked, taking Jake back from her.
Dot smiled wistfully as Jake went back to is daddy. “No, I’ve lived in this house for thirty years, I’m not going anywhere soon.”
“Is there anything we can do for you, before we go?” I hinted heavily in my question, and Dot picked it up immediately.
“If you’re asking if you want me to let you finish off George, the answer…,” Dot sighed, “…is yes. But, please, you can’t shoot him. I don’t want a gunshot to be my last memory of my husband.”
“Will do. Thanks for everything, Dot.” I said, heading for the door.
“John?”
“Yes, Dot?”
“Finish what you started.” Dot looked at me seriously.
“What do you mean?” I asked, shifting Jake to my other arm.
Dot pointed to Jake and then to the window. “You got two things to do before you’re done. Finish them both.”
I only half understood what she meant. “Will do.” I said, closing the door behind me.
Charlie stood before me and I nodded. He headed off to the back shed, and returned a minute later, wiping off one of his tomahawks with a bit of rag. I put Jakey back into his car seat and he promptly fell asleep.
We moved the cars out of the driveway and I waved a hand at the house. Dot did not come out to see us off, and I didn’t blame her. I could see a still form lying out in the yard in the back, and another kneeling nearby, and I just shook my head. I thought about what she had said to me and slowly began to realize what she had meant. I did have things to do.