Authors: Russ Watts
“Anywhere that’s not here,” said Erik. “North is good with me. Let’s keep on trucking until we find somewhere to stay the night.”
“We could take the I65, head past Indianapolis, and then right on past Chicago, up the I90 into Wisconsin.” Jonas started tracing his finger up the door of the van as if drawing out a route on an imaginary map. “If we stay east of Minneapolis and avoid the city completely, we could get around the edge of Lake Superior. That way…”
“Whoa, hold your horses, Hamsikker. I thought we were just vaguely heading north, looking for a safe place to bed down for the night. Sounds to me like you’ve thought this through. You’re not making this up on the spot.” Erik glared at Jonas through his bushy eyebrows and gave him a withering look. “Care to share?”
“I suspect what he was trying to suggest is a way north that avoids the major cities. Right, Hamsikker?” Javier looked from Erik to Jonas and back again. “Seems that the safest places are well away from the large cities. Places like Columbus and Chicago are big no-nos. I mean, personally, I’ve never been north of Indiana. Never found the need. You guys will know a lot more about this than me.”
“Yeah, I was just spitballing, trying to figure out where we were headed. I guess I got a bit carried away.” Jonas glanced at Erik, and his answer seemed to placate the man who was relaxing again. He didn’t really want to tell him about Janey just yet. He wanted to do it in his own time, to talk to him about it, and explain why he needed to go her. Jonas didn’t want to have to explain everything in front of Gabe and Mara.
“Well, wherever we go,” said Erik, “the chance of finding an easy path is slim. Thousands and thousands of people took to their cars when this shit started, and the roads are likely to be clogged. We’ve been lucky up until now, keeping to the smaller roads. Once we hit an interstate, I’m not sure we’ll have as much luck.”
“You know, I think you told me that your sister lives in Canada, Hamsikker,” said Javier. “We could make a rough plan to get to her place, perhaps. Her house might be safe. What was her name again? Jenny?”
“Janey?” Erik glared at Jonas again. “This all about her?”
Jonas began talking, hoping that Erik wouldn’t put two and two together and make seven. There was no conspiracy, but if Erik found out he and Gabe had been making plans without him, it might look bad, as if he was deserting them. “Erik, you traveled around a bit after college, right? I heard you took some time off before college. If the major highways are clogged with vehicles, we’ll need a good navigator. I know the main arteries, but we go off the beaten track, and I’m clueless. Chicago is a day’s drive easily, probably two. Let’s not even think about what happens after tonight. Erik, switch with me. I’ll drive the SUV, you navigate. Gabe, you can bring the van after us. What do you say Erik? Think you can find somewhere for us to go tonight?”
“Yeah, Erik,” said Rose. “You’re the smartest one here. You can figure this out. You were a cop, so it’s only natural you take the lead now. You
were
a cop, weren’t you?”
Jonas could feel the tension rising, and wondered what the hell was going on. There were so many lies, so many things not being said, that he was getting lost. They should be thankful they had all made it out of Saint Paul’s in one piece, but instead, they were taking shots at each other.
“Erik. Please? We can talk later, I promise,” said Jonas, “but right now we need to move. Who knows where the hell we are. We don’t want to get stuck in a dead-end town with nothing but the dead for company, the sun over our heads, and a prayer to keep us safe.”
“Round everyone up,” said Erik. He folded his arms and looked up at the sun. It was burning away the clouds, and the light made Erik’s beard seem redder than ever. “I think I can figure a way back to the Ohio River. From there I’ll find a way across it. If we stay out of trouble, we can be somewhere safe tonight. Maybe a house, or it could be anything. Right now we don’t have the choice to be fussy. As long as we have a roof over our heads and four solid walls around us, I’ll take it.”
“Thanks, buddy.” Jonas knew Erik wasn’t stupid. He had figured out something was going on when Gabe had mentioned Janey. Why had Gabe done it? Was he trying to stir things up? He seemed so sincere that he probably hadn’t even realized what he was saying. Jonas would talk to Erik later and smooth things over. He would talk to Dakota first though. She was the most important person in his life, and now that she was carrying his baby, he needed her on his side more than ever.
“How are you for gas?” asked Erik. “I think we have enough left for today.”
“The van was half empty. We’re down to nearly a quarter of a tank,” said Javier. “We might need to stop soon and get more. If there’s no gas station, don’t worry; any vehicle will do. I can siphon it out.”
Erik nodded. Jonas could tell he was surprised that Gabe knew how to siphon gas, but he said nothing about it. “Let’s roll.”
As they regrouped, Jonas got behind the wheel, and Erik got into the passenger seat.
“Hamsikker, I don’t need to know what’s going on in your head all the time. Shit, I don’t think even God knows what goes on in your head half the time. But while you’re behind that wheel, you’ve got me and my family’s lives in your hands, so don’t fuck up.”
“No sweat,” said Jonas as he clipped in his seatbelt. “You tell me where to point this thing, and I’ll take it there.”
“We good?” asked Erik.
Jonas looked into Erik’s sparkling blue eyes. “We’re good.”
Quinn and Dakota nestled themselves into the back, and then Terry joined them.
“I thought you were switching with Mrs. Danick? She okay?” asked Jonas.
“Yeah, she changed her mind. Said she preferred to stay with Freya and keep an eye on her. Suits me. I’d rather be squashed in the back with two beautiful women than the back of a van any day.”
Jonas saw Dakota and Quinn smiling, and they all groaned as Terry winked at them. Jonas suspected Mrs. Danick changed her mind more so that she could keep an eye on Gabe and Mara, but he chose to keep his thoughts to himself.
“Buckle up,” said Erik.
“Sir, yes, sir!” Quinn and Dakota giggled, and then Quinn held up her hands in surrender. “Sorry, must be all that fresh air.”
“Or that sugary snack,” muttered Erik.
“Maybe you’re just glad to be alive?” Jonas put the SUV into drive, and took them out of the field and back onto the road. He couldn’t catch Dakota’s eye in the rear view mirror, but he was pleased to see she was smiling. Being with Pippa and the kids was good for her. He didn’t want her stressed any more than she had to be. It was going to be difficult enough with the baby, and worrying about where they were spending the night, how many zombies were waiting for them, or where their next meal was coming from was something he wanted to take care of for her.
A couple of hours passed, and they drove cautiously. Jonas kept checking the mirror to make sure Gabe was still with them. Erik eventually found the river, and they followed it a while before coming to a bridge where they could cross over into Indiana. From there, Erik tried to hug the Interstate, although it was difficult. A few times they came across a blockage that they couldn’t get past, and they were forced to turn around. Jonas wanted to get at least as far as Indianapolis by nightfall, but they lost a lot of time going over their tracks. It was mid-afternoon when Jonas noticed the headlights flashing in the mirror.
“That’s Gabe. I think he wants to stop.” Jonas pulled the car over to the side of the road, and Erik jumped out. They were in between towns, surrounded by a few abandoned vehicles and not much else. There was a signpost indicating they were coming up on Greenwood in ten miles, but as far as Jonas was concerned, they could be on Mars. Erik reassured him he knew where they were going, but driving blind was unnerving. Now and again they saw zombies. Occasionally the dead would stray into the road and sometimes give chase, but they never caught up with them. Jonas was relieved that the zombies were always in the distance, never close enough to do any damage. He wasn’t reassured, though, by the fact that they hadn’t seen anyone else alive. There hadn’t even been a single trace of anyone else living. No moving cars, no lights, no signs for help; it was as if the whole world was dead.
“I’ll go see what he needs.” Erik cocked his gun. “I know. Be careful.” With that, he jogged back to see the others.
“Hey, Erik, we’ve been coasting on fumes for the last ten minutes,” said Javier. “I was hoping we’d come across a gas station, but it looks like we’ve run out of time.”
Erik nodded and looked at the road ahead of them. “There’s a town a couple miles ahead, and I’m sure we’ll find a gas station. Gotta be worth trying. Think you can make it?”
“I guess so. I’ll flash again if we have to stop.” Gabe banged on the panel behind his head. “We’re stopping in a minute folks,” he shouted. “Just hold on a few more minutes.”
Erik looked at the van, puzzled.
“They’re not too happy back there,” Javier explained. “Fair enough, really. Can’t be too pleasant being cooped up in there.”
“Let’s be quick then,” said Erik, and he returned to the SUV, leaving Javier and Rose alone.
“We stopping?” asked Quinn as Erik got into the car.
“No,” said Erik. “They’re running on fumes, but we’re going to try to make the next town, see if we can’t find a gas station there. When we stop, we need to switch over vehicles too. They’re cramped up in the back of the van, and it’s no fun for any of them.”
Jonas cruised the next few miles with little trouble, and finally came upon a road sign welcoming them to Westport, Indiana, population 1663. The town border was desolate and dusty, and the welcome sign was riddled with bullet-holes. A lone crow picked at something red and fleshy which Jonas hoped was just road-kill. The bird abruptly flew up and settled onto a telegraph pole when they drove past, watching them from a distance. As the number of buildings began to increase, Jonas began to hope they would find a gas station soon. Driving down the main street, nobody came out to see them. Nobody from Westport came out to welcome them, but nobody came out to attack them either. Jonas really didn’t want to get sucked into the town center where there was more risk of being attacked.
“Looks deserted,” said Erik.
“Think there’s anyone around?” Dakota leant forward. “Anyone living here?”
“Doesn’t look much like it.” Jonas eased off on the gas. He wanted their arrival to be discreet. It was best to get in and out quietly and quickly.
“It’s not the living I’m worried about,” said Quinn as she scanned the empty streets.
“There,” said Erik, “pull up by that campervan.”
Jonas stopped a few feet short of the van, which was parked underneath a billboard offering ‘
tomorrow’s real estate at yesterday’s prices
.’ The gas station was offering two for one soda, and Jonas scanned the forecourt. Everything was still. As they watched the white van pull in and park by the nearest tank, nobody came out of the small store attached to the garage.
“I’ll go help,” said Jonas.
“I’m going to check out that store,” announced Terry. “They may have some gear we can use.”
“I’ll come with you,” said Dakota yawning. “I’m feeling a bit car sick, so I could do with stretching my legs.”
“Me too.” Quinn opened the car door. “I’m not waiting in here; I’ll come with you.”
“Okay everyone, just be careful, and don’t go too far.” Erik wound down his window and reclined his seat. “I’m going to close my eyes for a minute. I’m exhausted. Yell if you need me.”
“You take it easy. We’ll be back in five.” Jonas picked up his axe and turned off the engine. He jumped out of the car and strolled over to the van where he could see Gabe trying the pumps. He watched Terry, Dakota, and Quinn head over to the store. It was small and appeared to be deserted. The large window offered a pretty good view inside, and all he could see were a few empty shelves and an open cash register. They might come back with a few Hershey’s bars, but he doubted they would find much of real value, like medication or water.
“Anything?” Jonas approached Gabe who was thrusting the nozzle of the final pump back into its slot.
“Nothing. All empty.” Javier looked at Jonas and wondered what it would be like watching him die. Right then he wanted nothing more than to pull his gun out and shoot him between the eyes. Progress was slow, too slow, and maybe his idea of having help wasn’t going to work out. They were all too casual, too carefree. What were the others doing going into the store? And it looked like Erik was having a nap. He was going to need to shake them out of their comfort zone. Maybe when they realized they hadn’t any gas they would realize the severity of the situation.
“How much you got left in the tank?” asked Jonas as he opened the back doors of the van.
“Squat,” said Javier. “Unless you want to push us all the way to Canada, we are not going anywhere.”
Jonas watched Peter, Freya, Pippa, and Mrs. Danick clamber out of the van. They all looked tired too. Their night at the golf course seemed like an age ago. Before and since then, they had been fighting and traveling, and one night’s rest wasn’t enough.
Jonas watched as Pippa, Freya and Peter went over to see Erik. Freya was twirling the keychain in her hand as she walked, and it reminded Jonas of what they were doing. The keychain from Fort William was a reminder that Janey and his nephews were still out there waiting for him, relying on him, and he couldn’t afford to get slowed down by anything. “Can you siphon some out of another vehicle? We shouldn’t hang around here too long.”