Authors: Zach Bohannon
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Genre Fiction, #Horror, #Dark Fantasy, #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Science Fiction, #Post-Apocalyptic, #Fantasy, #Metaphysical & Visionary, #Dystopian
Open Roads
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EMPTY BODIES SERIES
EMPTY BODIES
EMPTY BODIES 2: ADAPTATION
EMPTY BODIES 3: DELIVERANCE
EMPTY BODIES 4: OPEN ROADS
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OPEN ROADS
(Book Four of the Empty Bodies Series)
by Zach Bohannon
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OPEN ROADS
Zach Bohannon
Copyright
© 2015 by Zach Bohannon. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events or locales is purely coincidental. Reproduction of this publication in whole or in part without express written consent is strictly prohibited.
Edited and Proofread by:
Jennifer Collins
Cover design by Johnny Digges
CHAPTER ONE
Somewhere in North Carolina
Will stared down at the wounds on his arm, tracing the lower of the two with his opposite hand over and over again. For as long as he lived, these scars would stand as a constant reminder of just how fucked up the world had become. They’d also memorialize David Ellis; a man who’d done so much to paralyze Will’s soul, and had now left his permanent mark on Will’s flesh.
Eventually, the others would likely ask Will what it had felt like to die, and he wouldn’t have an answer. He’d only seen black. There were no lights, no angels strumming harps, no endless sea of white clouds. Nothing but darkness. And he’d had no sense of just how much time he’d spent
in
the black. One moment, he was lying on the road. Then he was gone. And when he’d woken up again, he had no recollection of what had happened in between. Perhaps, he thought, he’d been in some sort of purgatory.
After the time spent at the farm
burying their friends and then regrouping, Will had remained mostly to himself, fighting an internal battle to try and come to some kind of realization and acceptance of what had happened to him. Others in the group had noticed the change in his demeanor, and silently offered him his space. This included Holly, even though each time Will looked at her he could tell that she was on the verge of emotionally breaking, obviously wanting so desperately to help him.
The group had managed to find a vehicle once they’d made it near the interstate. They’d chosen a minivan which had been left at a gas station. The key to it sat right on the passenger seat. The gas pumps at the station itself had been empty, but for whatever reason, the van had remained untouched by looters, and the fuel gauge on the dash had sprung to three-quarters full once the engine had roared to life. Jessica had suggested that it was perhaps by faith that they’d found the perfect vehicle. Bullshit, Will thought. Because faith had been the question with no answer since he’d woken up.
Including the front cab, the van had three rows of seats. Jessica rode up front with Gabriel, who was driving. Holly sat on the middle bench, keeping the two children entertained. Dylan was almost back to his normal self, or at least the version of ‘normal’ that he’d created since The Fall, and Mary Beth seemed to be coming out of her shell a little bit. Will sat in the back, alone. Every now and then, Holly would turn around and flash him a smile, which he’d vaguely return. Part of him felt guilty for shying away from her at such a strenuous time, but he appreciated her patience while he sorted things out in his mind.
With night creeping upon them, the group found themselves becoming desperate. The three-quarters of a tank just wasn’t enough. They’d made multiple stops to try and find more fuel, but had only been able to scavenge a few gallons. If they couldn’t find more gasoline soon, they’d be forced to walk again. This wasn’t an option.
“It’ll be sundown soon,” Jessica said. “We need to start finding somewhere safe to stop for the night.”
“I just wanna drive a little longer,” Gabriel said.
“I know you want to get home, but if we run out of gas, especially when it’s dark, we won’t be able to get to Washington any quicker. We’ve got to find somewhere to stop. You know that’s the right—”
“You don’t think I know what’s ‘right’?”
“Guys,” Holly said from the middle aisle. “Stop it. There’s no point in arguing.” She drew in a deep breath. “Jessica is right, Gabriel. If we get stuck in the night with no gas, we may not be around to—”
Holly paused, looking over at the children. They were listening intently now, no longer distracted with whatever mindless games she had been able to amuse them with. She was relieved to have held her tongue, not wanting to worry them with thoughts of the group being stranded in the dark of night.
Gabriel sighed. “Be on the lookout for a good place to stop.”
“I know a good place,” Jessica said. “I’m fairly familiar with this area. It’ll be better than where we stopped last night and it’s only a few exits away.”
The previous night, the group had stopped to rest at the last gas station where they had searched for fuel. The plan had been for Gabriel, Holly, and Jessica to take shifts on watch, but Will had insisted they let him take the first shift, even though everyone in the group had felt he’d just needed to rest. He’d ended up staying awake most of the night, remaining on high alert the entire time. During his watch, Will had seen a small pack of Empties lumbering across the street, but it had been too dark for them to notice the minivan sitting in front of pump #4 on the other side of the road. He’d eventually given in and had allowed Jessica to take a shift, as he’d become tired and realized he would do more harm than good to the group if he fell asleep while on watch. They’d survived the night unscathed.
“Take this exit,” Jessica said.
“Where are we going?” Gabriel asked.
Jessica looked over to him and smiled. “You’ll see.”
Gabriel shook his head. “I hope wherever you’re taking us is safe.”
***
The sun was quickly making its descent when the van came to a stop. Will shifted to where he could look out the opposite window and leaned down to see the building sitting at the top of the hill.
“That’s perfect,” Holly said.
“As long as no one is up there,” Gabriel said, sounding unsure.
“Only one way to find out,” Jessica said.
The sign read: Tar Heel Storage. A rod iron fence surrounded the entire property, and it sat on top of a hill, making it a perfect place for the group to hide from Empties. Even if the creatures could make it up the steep hill, the fence would certainly keep them out.
The front gate was shut, which Will knew could be either good or bad. Good, because nothing would be able to get to them once they were on the other side. Bad, because it was possible that another group of survivors had already claimed the storage facility.
Gabriel cut the wheel and headed up the driveway. He stopped the van in front of the fence and rolled down the window, examining the security keypad.
“No power,” Gabriel said.
“No surprise there,” Holly said.
“Let’s see if we can open the fence manually, Gabriel,” Jessica said.
Gabriel nodded, and both he and Jessica stepped out of the van.
Holly turned back to Will. “How’re you doing?”
Will forced a smile and nodded. “Fine.”
He could sense that she was disappointed with his short answer, but the children were both happy now, and the way this conversation would likely turn wouldn’t do anything but hinder the mood of the kids. They’d been through enough already.
A few moments later, Gabriel and Jessica arrived back at the van. They each opened one of the sliding panel doors on either side of the van.
“We’ll have to jump the fence,” Gabriel said. “The power’s off and that gate isn’t budging. It’s not going to open without power.”
“Well, at least we should be safe once we get inside,” Holly said.
“Grab some bags, guys,” Gabriel said to Dylan and twelve-year-old Mary Beth. “Get what you can, and we’ll toss it over the fence.”
“I can’t climb good,” Mary Beth said.
“It’s okay, sweetie,” Holly said. She ran her hand through the girl’s hair. “We’ll help you get over.”
Everyone helped in transporting supplies as they stepped out of the van. The kids grabbed the pillows and blankets they’d taken from the old farmhouse, and Will was sure to get the small gas can from the back. It had about a gallon left, but every ounce of fuel mattered, and they couldn’t afford anyone breaking into the van overnight and stealing it.
Two of the bags were small enough to fit between the fence’s spaces, and Jessica transferred those to the other side, squeezing them between two of the rods. Gabriel tossed the others over the eight-foot fence, only having to throw one of the bags more than once; it took him three tries to get the duffle full of canned food over the top. He kept the bag containing most of the guns and ammo over his shoulder, planning to just climb the fence with it. For now, he set it down on the ground.
“You go first,” Gabriel said to Jessica. “That way, you can help the kids from the other side. I’ll give you a boost.”
Gabriel kneeled down and cupped both his hands together, creating a base. Jessica stepped into his hand and he boosted her up as she caught hold of the top of the fence. Gabriel held her balance as she swung her leg over and jumped down onto the concrete, inside the fence.
“Alright, bud,” Gabriel said, looking at Dylan. “Your turn.”
Gabriel helped Dylan boost himself over the fence, followed by Mary Beth and Holly.