The Z Word Page 7

With shared visions of dead furry things or...worse, they assured him that was just fine.

  “Are all the zombies gone?” Lani asked, her tone expectant.

  “Looks that way.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “But before we leave, I think we should pick up where we left off last night.”

  “Before we leave?” Addison said. “Where are we going?”

  Malone raised his brows. “Well, we can't stay here. I have another place with more supplies.”

  “What about those...things outside?” Seffy asked. “How can you be sure they're all gone?”

  “I have my rifle and we can employ evasive tactics to avoid them.”

  Lani's eyes widened. “Sounds...evasive.”

  He winked. “Don't worry, honey, I won't let anything happen to you.” He looked over at Gareth. “Last night you seemed surprised we're in Montana. Would you like to explain?”

  Gareth's fake smile froze. Seffy knew he was struggling to come up with a story. Something about Malone made them too wary to tell the truth.

  “Um, we were trying to leave the state. We're not familiar with this area and thought we'd gone further.” He looked at their host. “We were just surprised to find we're still here.”

  “Huh.” Malone studied him as if measuring his words. “You using a map?”

  “Ah, no map.”

  “How did you come to be in Montana in the first place? I didn't see any car.”

  Seffy thought about the rusted out Coupe De Ville. That probably didn't count.

  Gareth shook his head. “It's complicated.”

  “I may be a simple man, but I'm not stupid.”

  Seffy didn't think Malone was stupid or simple, for that matter. Scary was the more apt term. Nothing about him really jibed. She was certain he was hiding something as much as they were.

  “Our car broke down,” Addison ventured. “We started walking, looking for a gas station and got lost.” She shivered. “Then those creatures came after us.”

  “What direction did you walk?”

  “We didn't exactly have a compass,” Addison said, bristling. “And we couldn't get service for our cells.”

  Malone's brows inched up his forehead. “What's a cell?”

  Gareth patted his pockets. Then he frowned.

  “You know, a cell phone,” Lani offered. At Malone's blank look, she smiled. “A mobile phone. Technically I think they're called wireless these days.”

  “So you're saying you have some kind of phone you can just walk around with?”

  Seffy cleared her throat. “You probably can't get service out here, so you couldn't use one anyway.” She wrinkled her nose. “No towers.”

  Malone's eyes narrowed. “What are you trying to pull?”

  Gareth put up his hands. “Nothing,” he said, his voice steady. “We were just explaining we couldn't get help when we realized we were lost.”

  Malone regarded them for several tense seconds, then seemed to come to a decision. Pointing at Gareth, he said, “You. Grab that knapsack.”

  After a momentary hesitation, Gareth reached down and hoisted it onto his shoulder with a grunt.

  “Supplies,” Malone said by way of explanation. “To get us to the next safe house.”

  “Safe house?” Addy said. “How far is it?”

  “Only about ten miles.”

  “Ten miles?” Lani said.

  “You girls stay close to me. Those zombies'll sneak up on ya.”

  Gareth look was resigned. Seffy knew they'd have to follow the creepy guy. What other choice did they have? Malone had them on the hook and he knew it. So what was his angle? Was he some survivalist who dabbled in philanthropy? Or did he have nefarious purposes in mind—purposes more nefarious than the others on the outside?

  Malone stalked to the corner behind the couch and grabbed the rifle. He unlocked the door. The metallic screech could surely be heard for miles.

  “Why does that seem like a dinner bell for the zombies?” Gareth quipped.

  “Don't worry, boy, I have a plan.”

  Boy? Gareth mouth toward Seffy. He rolled his eyes. She sent him a sympathetic look.

  They followed Malone out and watched him ascend the ladder. After pressing his ear against the trap door, he unlatched it and pushed it open. They had no problem allowing him to climb out first and scope out the situation. From below, they could see his dusty work boots and legs of his drab green coveralls.

  His shiny head appeared. “C'mon up. It's safe.”

  Gareth went first and helped them up one by one. Seffy looked around at the scene of their near-demise. Nothing much was different—then she noticed several feet sticking out of a pile of debris in one corner. She put a hand to her mouth and tried not to gag.

  Malone followed her gaze. “Took care of the ones that almost got you earlier. We'll torch this place as soon as we leave.”

  “Why?” Seffy said.

  “So the contagion doesn't spread,” Malone said, his eyes squinty. “Plus they stink.”

  “Sorry I asked.”

  “Won't a fire attract others?” Gareth asked.

  “Well, we won't be here when that happens, will we?”

  Gareth blew out a breath and tried to look grateful.

  “What about your room down there?” Lani asked, seeming concerned. “You don't want to burn that, do you?”

  “It's lined with metal, so it'll be fine.” He flashed a roguish smile at her. “Nice to see you care.”

  Lani blushed. Malone pushed past the broken door and scanned the immediate area. The way he moved and handled the gun spoke of military experience. He took a few steps, his rifle at the ready, then waved them out. One by one they emerged into the weird pinkish light.

  “I almost forgot about that,” Addy said, shielding her eyes from the glare.

  “Do you know what caused the sky to look like this?” Gareth asked.

  Malone shrugged. “There was the sound and vibration of a huge blast, but I was down in the bunker and didn't see it happen.” He picked up a nearby gas can and began dousing the wood structure.

  Gareth looked back at them. “We felt that, too.”

  “Is that when the...the...”

  “Zombies came?” Addy finished, sending Seffy a long-suffering look.

  Malone set down the gas can and pulled a box of matches from his pocket. They stepped back as he lit one and threw it on the pile. A blaze erupted in a whoosh. The sound of crackling wood quickly reached their ears.

  Malone put the box of matches back into his pocket and turned to look at them. “That, and when you showed up.”

  Chapter Six

  The landscape looked the same as before, far off striated bluffs surrounded by sage scrub, bluish flowers, and straggly trees, all lit up by the fantastic pink sky. No other figures could be seen in any direction, which helped ease Seffy's fear as they followed Malone up one dusty rise and down another. If they were in Montana, why were they out in the middle of nowhere and not near a city? She considered asking Malone for specifics, but wimped out. Besides, she'd rather think about snuggling with Gareth.

  “Ten miles of this?” Addy grumbled behind her.

  Seffy looked back and felt a stab of pity for her friend. The heels Addy had been wearing when the blast happened now dangled from her fingers as she trudged barefoot. At least it wasn't too hot. Lani had a similar predicament with her strappy sandals. Seffy was thankful she'd been wearing Pilates shoes, and Gareth was good to go in his leather Pumas. She caught up to him and grabbed his hand.

  She experienced a burst of happiness when he tightened his fingers around hers. “Do you have any idea where we're going?” she asked in a low voice, hoping she didn't appear giddy.

  “Or why we're following him?” he said with a shake of his head. “I feel so helpless. If someone would just point us west, I feel like we'd have a chance. But with zombies, er, the living-challenged, on the loose, I don't know what else to do but follow a guy I don't trust.”

 
Seffy stared at the khaki-covered back of the man who held their immediate future in his hands. “I know. It's so messed.”

  He smiled down at her. “Understatement of the year.”

  “How far do you think we've walked?”

  “Three miles, miss,” came the response in front of them.

  Seffy suppressed a gasp. Malone did have ears like a bat. Her face heated when she thought of what he may have heard last night. She peeked up at Gareth to see what his reaction might be, but his attention was on the horizon, giving her a view of his dreamy profile. Just being near him helped her to feel centered. His hand was warm around hers. Did this mean he wanted to give her a chance? If so, why had they avoided this for so long?

  Addison stalked past them and approached Malone. “Can I ask you some questions?”

  “Shoot.”

  “Where do—” she glanced back at Seffy and raised her brows, “where do zombies come from anyway?”

  “Maybe hell was too full.”

  “Oh brother,” Seffy said, not caring if Malone heard her.

  “Otherwise, it's hard to say,” he said without acknowledging her. “They've popped up from time to time throughout history.”

  “I've never heard of them outside of movies,” Addy said.

  “That's because you don't know what to listen for. They've been mentioned in ancient literature. It's why the Egyptians removed the brains from their dead before burial. Used hooks to pull the brain through the corpse's nostrils—”

  “What?” Addy cried.

  “Occasionally reports come in from South America or Africa that are suspicious. Mind you, they never use the word 'zombie'. They always try to attach some so-called scientific explanation.” He shrugged. “It's nothing new. And as people refuse to acknowledge the zombies' presence, they will continue to appear and...eventually they'll win.”

  Addy walked with her head down and shoulders hunched. “So they just randomly show up?”

  “They're usually brought on by apocalypse.”

  “Apocalypse,” Addison said in a disbelieving tone. “Like the end of the world?”

  Malone's eyes held a sinister light. “At least the end of the world as you know it.”

  Seffy wasn't buying Malone's dramatic oratory. “Or when Michael Jackson's filming an 80s music video.” This earned her a furious glare from Addison and a shocked expression from Malone, which was replaced by a calculating one. What was up with the guy?

  Addy continued. “None of this makes sense. Anyway, I always figured apocalypse would be more industrial and gritty.”

  “And sweaty?” Seffy grumbled. Sweat trickled between her shoulder blades, soaking into the waistband of her track pants.

  “I mean,” Addy continued, “how do you deal with a sky that's pink? It's hardly doomsdayish. And where is everyone else? Why just us?”

  “Think of it as a cleansing,” Lani said. “A fresh start, a new beginning.”

  Addy skewered Lani with a dark look. “Have you forgotten about the rotting corpses dogging us?”

  Lani sighed and slogged on. Seffy couldn't care less either way. She just wanted to go home. Back to the real world.

  “Speaking of zombies,” Addy continued. “You just shoot them and they die?”

  “They're already dead,” Malone said.

  Seffy tried to ignore their stupid conversation. She moved closer to Gareth.

  “Okaaay. So what's the best way to kill them a second time?”

  Malone smiled. “There are many ways to kill a zombie, but my favorite is to stab it in the brain with a wooden stick. There ain't no coming back from that.”

  “Hotdog,” Gareth said under his breath.

  Seffy looked up at him. “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “At five miles we'll stop for a drink,” Malone yelled. “We're making good time, people. Let's keep it up.”

  “I think he was a drill sergeant once,” she said under her breath. Gareth squeezed her hand.

  They plodded on as the neon pink sun rose higher in the sky, each keeping to their own thoughts. Seffy kept her eyes peeled for anyone else 'living-challenged' or otherwise on the landscape. So far so empty. This was not the Montana of her memory. She tried to decide if that was a good or a bad thing.

  Malone put up his hand. “Take five.” He'd stopped under a bristly pine tree which afforded a little shade. Seffy looked over as Lani and Addison joined them. Addison's face was set like stone and she avoided Seffy's eyes. Suddenly self-conscious, Seffy dropped Gareth's hand.

  Malone passed around a canteen. Only extreme thirst caused them to expose themselves to the unknown germs of the stranger leading them who knew where. Lani handed the canteen back to him and gave him a bright smile. “You know what I think, Mr. Malone?”

  His dark eyebrows inched up. “I couldn't even begin to imagine, darling.”

  She linked her hands in front of her dress and took a deep breath. “I think you're our muse.”

  Gareth started to cough. Seffy patted him on the back until he regained composure.

  Malone leaned over and spit on the ground. “What the hell is a muse?”

  “You know, like in Greek mythology. The nine daughters of Zeus who give inspiration to artists.”

  “Whoa,” Addy said, obviously impressed with Lani's lack of sanity.

  “Are you saying you think I'm a girl?” Malone said, his brows a dark slash over his icy expression.

  Lani had the temerity to go up and touch his arm. “Of course not. I just mean you're inspiring is—guiding us like a muse.”

  “I'm trying to make sure you don't get eaten by brain-hungry monsters.”

  “Which is very inspirational in a way.” She put her hand to her heart. “At least I'm inspired.”

  Seffy leaned against Gareth's arm and pressed a hand to her mouth to stop from laughing out loud. Only Lani could make weirdness look so sweet.

  “I think you're touched in the head.” Malone turned to the others and slung his canteen over his shoulder. “Break's over.”

  Addison crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Seffy as Malone set out. “I have to say I'm almost glad Verity's not here to see this.” She spun on her heel and stomped behind Malone.

  She stared at Addison's back and wondered why the redhead felt it necessary to spoil everyone's happiness. Does she treat Lani and Gareth with the same disdain or is it just me?

  Admittedly, Seffy had been avoiding Addison and the others since Verity had come on scene. It had been too painful to watch Gareth slipping away. Instead, she'd stayed busy going to auditions and industry parties. Maybe Addison was just angry with the world in general, but somehow Seffy always managed to be on the receiving end.

  Gareth touched her shoulder. “Come on, let's go.”

  Seffy walked alongside him but didn't take his hand. As they continued on under the increasingly hot sun, anger welled up in her, followed by a sneaker wave of self-pity. Verity, Addison, Montana, memories...and now a sinister man and blank-eyed biters. It was just too much. Seffy quietly sniffed in an effort to hold back threatening emotions. She hardly noticed when Gareth put his arm around her.

  An eerie moan broke the relative calm. They turned as one in the direction of the sound. A lone figure about ten yards away staggered toward them. Seffy stiffened, so thankful for Gareth's proximity. Like the others, the man wore vintage clothing. As the two other girls huddled around him, Malone raised his rifle and fired.

  Why didn't I look away? The sight of blood and brain splatter against a pink sky was now forever etched in her mind.

  “Where are they all coming from?” Gareth asked, fear harshening his voice. “How in the hell are they coming out of nowhere?”

  Malone regarded him with a bored expression, then spit in the direction of the body. “Don' know. I expect we'll find out soon enough.”

  “You act like this is no big deal,” Gareth pressed. “Why aren't you asking the same questions? Or what do you know that we don't
?”

  Malone shifted his gun from one hand to the other. “I've seen a lot of things that have surprised me in my life. My focus is on survival not answering rhetorical questions.”

  “That doesn't even make sense,” Addy said, her fists clenched.

  “Guys,” Lani said in a small voice, “he's just trying to help us through this. Let's talk when we get to the next safe place.”

  Her quiet plea had the effect of quelling more questions for the time being. They walked on in silence, almost as if they were those things, shambling on to the next destination. Seffy thought of the man's bloody mouth, fighting a fresh wave of nausea. Except we don't eat brains. She tried to remind herself zombies didn't exist, but it was getting to be more difficult in light of their present circumstances.

  After what had to be hours of walking, the sky purpled up like a bad bruise as the sun wavered near the horizon. “Are we there yet?” she said under her breath. She was thirsty and had to pee, and wanted to collapse and give in to a good cry, though not necessarily in that order.

  At length, Malone slowed as they approached a small rusted metal building. He picked up a rock and threw it against the side, making a huge clatter in the otherwise quiet landscape. They waited for sounds of scuffling or moans but heard nothing. Malone edged up to the building and unlocked the padlock on the door. After easing it open and peering inside with his flashlight, he waved them over.

  They followed Gareth, who studied at the lock. Seffy saw him staring at chinks out of the lock along with scratch marks on the side of the building. Ugh. Someone or something had wanted in. Swallowing, she entered the dark interior, followed by the others. She heard the sound of a switch and a dim bulb came to life above them, illuminating a room with a decor consisting of pretty much the same as the last place, except this time the space was bigger and there were two couches, both a dingy red color. Like dried blood.

  “There haven't been any power poles,” Gareth said quietly to Seffy, “and yet these so-called safe houses have electricity.”

  Seffy decided she didn't much care why there was light, just so there was. And flushing toilets. “Uh, could there be some underground source of power?”