End of the Line (Book 2): Stuck in the Middle (26 page)

             
I looked at Hannah.

             
“Do you agree?”

             
Hannah didn’t respond. I liked her but she agreed with Mike all the time.

             
“I rather he do it himself. Once the blood is gone, I can suture his wound if he needs it,” she finally said.

I don’t know if she said it ‘cause Mike said no or she didn’t want to treat him.

              “Tanya, it’s okay,” Keith said. “You know I don’t want any trouble. Hannah, put the stuff on the car. I’ll clean myself up.”

             
I walked to Hannah instead.

             
“Give it to me.”

             
“Tanya, he’s fine doing it himself,” Mike said.

             
“Shut the fuck up, Mike.” Mike couldn’t respond because he looked stunned. Even Annemarie stopped crying.              

I wasn’t no doc, but I’d patched up a few friends. Hannah handed me the first aid kit.

              “Dave, after I clean up Keith, take everyone back ‘cept Mike and me. We got some things to discuss.”

             
I was surprised when Mike didn’t protest. I think he was still stunned over being told to shut up.

             
Hannah went to the car without a word. Annemarie joined her. I took a look at Annemarie before she got in the car. She had no signs of the virus. I tried to remember if the girl from Costking looked white but couldn’t. It seemed so fucking long ago.

             
Mike said nothing. He stood there looking pissed. This was the first real fight we had.

             
It didn’t take me long to clean and bandage Keith. The rain had done a lot of the job. I made him take off his shirt because it was covered in blood and tossed it aside. I made a mental note that when the rain stopped I would come back and burn it. As expected, the wound itself was small and didn’t look like it needed stitches. I put a large bandage on it, and then doubled it so it wouldn’t bleed through.

             
Keith got the shotgun seat while Annemarie, Felix and Hannah sat in the back. I watched them drive off and then turned my attention to Mike.

             
“Jim told me to be a good leader I shouldn’t be mean,” I said before he could even opened his mouth. “He said I got to understand people come from places different than me. I had it rough growing up, so this new world ain’t as hard for me as other people. I been trying to be understanding when people ask for stupid things but I’m still leader and you telling Felix and Paul about Keith without consulting me was dumb.”

             
“Telling me to shut the fuck up in front of my wife was dumb,” he said. He didn’t sound completely pissed off, but there was some anger.

             
I paused. Sometimes words came out of my mouth that I couldn’t stop. “Yeah, you’re right.”

             
“They had a right to know.”

             
“Yes, if they were going to have any direct dealing with Keith. Then I would have told them.”

“Anything could have happened, Tanya, that’s why they needed to know. I didn’t want anyone else to know about Keith, trust me.”

“It ain’t the spilling part that’s the problem, it’s the not trusting my judgment. I know you look after the people here, but I also know if there is danger, you’re gonna protect Hannah and the kids first.”

             
Mike didn’t respond.

             
“It ain’t nothing to be ashamed of, but that leaves me to be solely responsible for protecting my people. Means I gotta look after of them, not just my favorites. Everyone is my responsibility. Including Keith and Paul and you.”

             
Mike didn’t say anything. I couldn’t read his face.

             
“That means you gotta tell me stuff before you say it. You gotta confer with me.” See I could use fancy words.

             
“Tanya,” he said, his voice calm. “We didn’t always have time for a sidebar. Sometimes things just have to happen. You can’t control it all. People are going to die. There will always been a chance that many of us will die from a storm stronger than this one, a zombie attack, other people, or starvation.”

             
He was right, but I needed to know one thing.

             
“Do you respect me as leader?”

             
Mike didn’t respond for a moment and I thought I had my answer, then he said: “Yes, I do. I have incredible respect for you for taking on this giant task, something someone your age shouldn’t even be worrying about. But Tanya, leaders make mistakes and they learn.”             

             
I didn’t respond because I didn’t know what to say. I heard the sound of movement and looked to where it came from. A zombie was making its way to us. It wasn’t close enough to moan. Mike looked at it, pulled his hand gun out of its holster. He took a moment to aim, looked down the sight and fired. A headshot Grace would be proud of. When he was sure the zombie was dead, he turned to me.

             
“So are we cool?”

             
Hearing that statement from a white boy cracked me up.

              It was still raining hard when we got back but no thunder and lightning and the wind had died down. People were back working in the fields. I looked in on Annemarie first, but Hannah had given her a xanac that knocked her out cold. She showed no signs of turning.

I didn’t have to be in the field, but I checked out the people working there to make sure they were okay. There were plenty of rain slickers, so anyone could have one. The fields were littered with bright yellow. With all the drama this morning, I hadn’t had time to think about the damage the storm did to the harvest.

              I came back to the house to find Ricky smoking on the porch. He wasn’t wearing one of these slickers.

             
“How bad is it?”

             
“No so bad. I took a long walk around the perimeter. Jim’s idea of a perimeter fence didn’t happen. It was too labor intensive. Instead we did regular patrols. “Most of the seeds and seedlings look okay. Good thing we got the loose seeds inside. We lost a lot of kale.”

             
“Shame, heard that was a superfood.”

             
Ricky snickered.

             
“There’s always going to be storms,” he said and smiled. He had a nice smiled but it was haunted. “You have to get used to it. We had issues even before this all happened. We got hit by some pretty bad hurricanes. Killed almost everything.” This wasn’t a hurricane but it was a pretty bad. I didn’t like not knowing if something in the sky was a regular storm or a hurricane.

             
“I’m not used to growing my own food. I liked going to the store and MickyD’s. Worst days were when they’re out of big macs.”

             
“I would love if we could get some cattle.”

             
“Jim says they ain’t green.”

             
“We don’t have to have a big herd, just a few for milk and meat.”

             
It bothered me that I might never have a McDonald’s hamburger or fries anymore. Jim said its better this way, but it was a reminder that things ain’t the same. He’s right but I don’t like everyone dead being the reason to do the right thing.

             
“Is there any way we can prevent this, I meaning losing crops.”

             
“A few more people. Machines that can do some of the picking.”

             
“They have machines for that?”

             
Ricky laughed and his face grew bright. “There were seven billion people on this planet. Most of them didn’t pick their own food.” His brightness dimmed immediately. I knew why, seven billion people and now we’re down to a couple of million.

             
At least we don’t have to fight over resources.

             
At least for a little while.

             
Ricky touched my shoulder. “We can only do the best we can. You’re strong and tough Tanya. People respect you.” I wished he was right. Despite what Mike told me, I wasn’t sure people trusted me.

             
“You sound like Jim.”

             
“He’s a smart guy.” He looked over the fields then at me then he used his head to motion we should go inside. “Let’s take a break for a little while.”

             
I got Ricky’s message. “You sure,” I looked at his hand. He still wore a gold wedding band.

             
“Nothing’s for sure, but I won’t regret it.”

             
“You won’t be embarrassed?” I asked thinking about the conversation with Dave.

             
“Are you kidding me? Be embarrassed by a hot woman?”

             
Time to hang the bra on the door. At least one good thing happened today.

Chapter 17

              It was brutally hot when Joel came with the horse. I sat outside drinking lemonade, the kind from juice boxes. It was cold at least. Ain’t warm enough to grow citrus fruits but you wouldn’t know today.

We couldn’t waste electricity but damn I wanted to stand in front of the fridge.

I expected Joel today. We gonna clean out Harbor Heights. Thought about cancelling cause of the heat but it ain’t like I can call him. I decided to have a small group, split half the people good with guns. Mike would stay here with Manny and Annemarie. Annemarie asked to come, but she got shook up by the accident. I made her sit this one out. I was glad I didn’t have to shoot her.

I
was going with Grace and anyone else who wanted to come. Mike wanted to, had been looking forward to it, but I knew Hannah ain’t happy Mike was always volunteering. I made him sit this one out too. Besides Dena wanted to come and if Mike didn’t, they may not fight for a change. I told her she got a job watching the farm. I could be diplomatic.

Not surprised Frannie volunteered. Rose decided to come to get some practice, as long as she understood to remain in the back. Stan volunteered as well. Mike’s been giving them shooting less
ons and said they weren’t half bad.

             
We tried the car cooling center but it didn’t work. It kept people cool but it used up gas like a hole. Instead Hannah used it as an emergency cooling center for medical reasons only. Everyone was encouraged to drink water, though it tasted stale and sometimes metallic. We ran it through one of them store bought filters.

             
Jim sat beside me, drinking powdered ice tea, looking overheated. His hair was wet because he just came out of a cold shower.

             
“So fucking hot in the summer now. What gives?”             

             
Jim hunched his shoulders. “Lack of pollution could be the issue.”

             
“Wouldn’t that fix global warming?”

             
“I don’t know. I fixed computers. Maybe nature’s trying to put things right.”

             
I didn’t respond because I saw people leaving the fields. It wasn’t a zombie ‘cause I heard no bells and they looked happy. I thought that was way too many people greeting Joel. Even people from the camp gathered round. I got up and moved to the field. Jim wasn’t far behind me. Were we being rescued?

             
As I got closer I saw what was happening. Joel had shown up, and this time he had a horse. Chris and Bill were here, so I hoped Keith had made himself scarce. I didn’t see him. A SUV was parked not far. Joel was sweaty but Chris and Bill weren’t, so I assumed they drove while Joel came on the horse.

             
“Hello, Tanya,” he said, shaking my hand while he used the other hand to hold the reins.

             
“Joel, you have a horse.”

             
“A gift to you because I heard you have a mare. This here’s a stud. Figured we can trade for first born.”

             
“Sounds reasonable,” I said.

             
“What if they don’t make babies?” Jim asked.

             
“It’s a risk. Besides I got a few horses, all guys. I heard Grace was a good rider—“ he paused. “Thought she might want to ride with me.”

             
I almost laughed. “Joel, sorry, she’s not into you.”

             
He smiled. “Not even a little bit?”

             
“She don’t like most people.”

             
Joel didn’t say anything. Eric, who I saw in the crowd, walked away. I guess Jim was right. He might leave.

             
“Could you at least tell her about the horse?”

             
I wasn’t sure where she was, but Jim wandered off. He probably knew where everyone was at all times.

             
I petted              the horse who put his head down. It must be hot. Lucy joined the crowd and made her way over. She had a bucket of water which she placed in front of him and he began to drink.

             
“Good horsey,” I said. “What do you think, Lucy?”

             
“Fine animal and tame. Where did you find him?”

             
“It’s kind of a sad story. We found a stable not far from a place we were staying. Someone had been
taking care of them. We found a middle aged man dead. I think he fell. Good thing it was recently, otherwise the horses might have died.”

             
I didn’t like thinking about all the dead animals out there. The ones humans looked after. We got Idiot, Chinakitty, Olive and the mare but that was just a piss in the bucket.

             
Jim came back with a very annoyed looking Grace, but her eyes widened when she saw the horse. This wasn’t like the mare we got. She said it wasn’t show quality, good for pulling carts and stuff.

             
She didn’t say anything, moved her way through the crowd. She petted him and he nuzzled her. I wasn’t surprised she liked horses more than people.             

             
“He’s beautiful,” she finally said. She looked around his body. “Very good shape. Looks like he was taken well care off.”

             
“He was,” Joel said. “Now I’m hoping you can take care of him. I know so little about horses.”

             
“Thank you. I’ll make sure he’s taken care of.”

             
“Good—would you like to go out on a date with me?”

             
“No,” she said, straightly. No one said anything. Joel looked crushed.

             
“Grace,” Jim said.

             
“I’m sorry,” she said and she looked pained while she was talking. “The horse is beautiful, but I’m not interested in dating—“ she looked at Jim, then added. “Anyone.”

             
Joel smiled sweetly. “Can’t fault a man for trying.”

             
Grace looked weird from this unwanted attention. I wondered if she ever fucked someone. She didn’t on the boat or with Jake at the Costking.              

“We’re about to have breakfast, join us. Grace, why don’t you come
too?”

             
Grace looked like I hit her in the face. I was thinking I can’t make her go on a date, but at least I can force them to have breakfast together. She had no excuse this time.

             
“I would love to,” Joel said.

             
“Okay,” Grace agreed, her voice low like I asked her to shoot a puppy or something.

             
The entire group had surrounded the horse looked at him. I think they all wanted to go out with Joel even some of the women from the camp. Frannie looked mad because she had pushed up alongside Joel and he ignored her.

              Dave, Frannie, Rose, and Annemarie crashed our breakfast of a scoop tuna salad on one leaf of lettuce. We had mayo from Costking and the salad was dripping with it. I missed Maddie at meals. Damn it, I missed her all the time.

             
“So Joel,” I said after we sat down to our food. It was hot in the dining room and I wondered if we should eat outside. “What’s going on with Aisha?”

             
“I talked to her. I think she might be agreeable to meeting in a neutral location. Maybe in Greenport but it just has to be you. She’s very angry about the woman you have here but I told her you’re worried. She said she’ll think about it. I don’t want to be so pushy.”

             
I thought ‘bout Eric. How he changed when Maddie died. Had Aisha changed too?

             
“But otherwise she’s okay?” Jim asked.              

             
“She’s doing good. She’s not a bad hunter.”

             
“Hunting zombies?” Jim asked, his eyes widened.

             
“No,” he said, looking like he got his hand caught in the cookie jar. “She’s way too young for that. She’s hunting game.”

             
I still didn’t believe him.

             
Mike hunted game for us, some deer, some turkeys. We ate well when he did. Never thought I’d missed the taste of turkey until I took that first bite. We needed to find chickens. I would love me some eggs.

             
“She did kill a zombie once, at the house. An old one. Not a big deal.”               

This was different than the Aisha that came on the trip with us. While self-assured, she was still a kid. Now she was hunting and killing zombs.

              “I’ve killed zombies before. Ricky and I,” Frannie said, “Bashed their heads with a shovel but now I have a gun so I can kill more.”

             
“Grace,” Joel said, ignoring Frannie who looked pissed. “How many zombies have you killed?”

             
“Too many to count,” she said, as she poked at her tuna. She would eat it. We didn’t waste food.

             
“Hundreds?”

             
“I see them, I kill them, so maybe.”

             
“You should come hunting with us.”

             
“I am today.”

             
“I mean more than just today. I mean all the time.”

             
“Joel, this ain’t the time,” I said, trying not to get angry.

             
“Just asking the question.”

             
“I’m doing fine here.” She looked like she was ready to shoot Joel in the head. I used to think I wanted to see Grace uncomfortable but from Joel, I didn’t like it.

             
Joel leaned back. For a second, he looked mean, then that faded and his game face came back.

             
“What about humans? Have you ever killed any?”

             
“Hey,” Jim said. “This is breakfast, not a game of did you ever.”

             
Grace had the sly look on her face which meant Joel better watch out. “I’ve killed eight people, three had the zombie virus and five who were trouble. Do you need full details? Maybe how a person head looks after a bullet’s gone through it?”

             
“What about you Tanya?” Joel suddenly asked. “You ever kill a man—“ he paused. “Or a woman?”

             
“No.”

             
Joel looked at me, first time I seen him shocked. It was true. I’d messed up a lot people. Everyone I killed was a zombie.

             
“Really? Could you do it?”

             
“Yes— I could.”

             
“What about you, Dave?”

             
“Yes,” he said, his voice low. “Some guy was trying to hurt my dog and Tanya and I shot him.” He got up, grabbed his plate and left the room. I knew killing the guy was hard on Dave but I was glad he was there. That cop had me in his clutches good. I might have gotten the upper hand but probably not until after he had his way with me.

             
“It’s hard,” Joel said, after Dave left.

             
I smiled. “Have you ever killed someone Joel?”

             
“Yes, I have,” he said and gave a sly smile. “Flu didn’t discriminate, didn’t kill just the scumbags and leave the good people behind. Found men raping women, keeping them chained up like chattel. Killing them when they grew bored. I killed them all.”

             
“In self defense or on your hunts?” Jim asked.

             
Joel looked startled. “Both. They tried to come after women in my group, even got one. We went to find her. Luckily they hadn’t gotten far, she was just raped. They resisted and I killed them. Jim, I would love this world to just get together after the epidemic, but not everyone’s in line.”

             
I thought about those creeps at the Shop Smart. I wondered where they went. I hope a missile fell on them.

             
“Unfortunately we still have a lot of trash left over. I’m a garbage man. Of course it’s really zombies I’m after. I do keep count. I’ve killed 1264 of them.”

             
“I’m impressed. I don’t keep count, but we’ve all killed them.” I said. “Even Jim.”

             
“Really,” Joel said.

             
“Yes, really,” he said, a little annoyed. Jim told me about what happened on the drive to Greenport. He was becoming a good zombie hunter. Always a little worried about that white boy.