“We’ve been through so much and it’s only been a few hours.”
Cage’s eyes dulled. “I think my parents are dead.”
“What? No,” Rachel said quickly. “They’re not dead. They’re hiding or -”
“I’ve been calling all night with that police officer’s cell phone. There’s no answer at my house.”
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
“They’re old,” Cage said. “Really old. They adopted me when they were in their mid-forties.”
Rachel couldn’t believe her ears. Cage Vance was adopted?
He lowered his voice. “They’re too old to get around and my mom has a bad leg. If one of those things came near them -”
Rachel placed her hand on top of his. “Don’t.”
“But -”
“You can’t do it, Cage. You can’t dream up all of these scenarios. Trust me, I know exactly how you feel. I keep thinking of a hundred ways that Morgan could be dead and it kills me to think about it. You can’t do it. It will eat you up inside. You have to stay strong, so you can get to them. Hold on to the hope that they’re okay.” She was surprised that she’d grabbed his hand, but now she felt awkward that she was touching him so intimately.
He didn’t move his hand. “How did you become so wise?”
She smiled.
“We’ve met before,” Cage said. “Haven’t we?”
She started to pull away from him.
He slipped his hand out and placed it on top of hers. The warmth of his skin sheltered her frigid fingers. “Haven’t we?”
She didn’t say anything.
Cage searched her face. “When we met at Cecilia’s Pizzeria, I saw the recognition in your eyes and it’s not because I’ve been in the newspaper for football a few times.”
Rachel regained some of her composure. “A few times? I’m surprised the City of Flint hasn’t constructed your monument yet.”
“When and where did we meet?”
Rachel sighed. “I can’t distract you with flattery?”
“Nope. You’re not squirming out of this one.”
“We met at Flint Prep. I transferred in late freshman year. A few of those glossy rich girl friends of yours tried to make me feel welcome in the cafeteria,” Rachel said.
Cage’s face paled. “They were flinging food at your table.”
“More like flinging food at me and less like at the table.” Rachel wanted to turn around and go to sleep, but Cage held her hand.
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, nice friends you have.” She’d meant to say it lightly, but the words came out prickly. “Anyway, you told them to leave me alone. Then you came over to talk to me.”
“I asked if you’d like to eat lunch with me outside, away from them,” Cage finished.
“Yes.”
“But you wouldn’t. You didn’t say anything. You gave me a look and walked away. I never saw you again.”
Rachel shrugged.
“How did you manage to dodge me at school for the next two years?” Cage asked.
“I was only at Flint Prep for a few weeks before I was transferred again and I’m extremely good at dodging people.”
“A few weeks?”
“I’ve moved around a lot. I wasn’t going to be at your school for long. It was only a matter of time, so I laid low from you and your friends and then I was gone.”
“A matter of time before what?” Cage asked.
“Before Morgan and I were passed on to the next foster home.”
“You didn’t always live with that man from the Wooden Barrel?”
“Morgan and I’ve been in six foster homes over the last ten years.”
Cage’s eyebrows lifted. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” She tried to gently pull her hand back, but he wouldn’t let go. She didn’t want to talk about her life. It was almost as depressing as a world full of zombies.
“I’m sorry about those girls.”
“That’s high school.” Rachel shrugged. She didn’t want sympathy from Cage and she didn’t want to talk about it anymore. He looked like he wanted to ask more questions, but he didn’t press the matter.
“Where did you learn to swing a bat like that?” Cage asked.
The tension rolled off her shoulders with the change of subject. “I watch a lot of Tiger games.”
He smiled. “Do you think anything will ever go back to normal? Will we ever be able to sit on the couch and watch a baseball game again?”
“I don’t know.”
Cage’s eyes roamed over her face. “I’m glad I met you. Again.”
“I’m glad I met you, too, Cage Vance.”
“Even though you rejected me the first time we met.”
Rachel grinned. “I didn’t reject you!”
“It was absolutely a rejection.” He grabbed a piece of her hair and twirled it between his fingers. A ghost of a smile played on his lips.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” Rachel said.
“When we first met, you told me that you ran into Cecilia’s because you heard a woman screaming for help.”
“Yeah, so?”
“Most people wouldn’t have stopped – especially after knowing what was really going on. That’s pretty amazing. I’m glad you did, because we never would’ve met again if you hadn’t come running in, as Nicky would say, like a warrior princess.”
Rachel laughed. “Funny how things work out, right?”
“Very funny. We should get some sleep,” Cage said. “Adam’s right, tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”
She nodded. “Goodnight, Cage.”
“Goodnight, Rachel Cole.”
A thrill ran over her when he said her last name. She rolled over – hoping she wasn’t blushing - and pulled the covers to her chin.
Cage moved behind her. “If I put my arm here, are you going to reject me again?” He said it playfully, but Rachel thought she heard a hint of nervousness in his voice.
“There’s a fifty-fifty chance.”
He hesitated. “Fair enough.” Cage placed his arm around her waist and scooted her backward. She fit perfectly against him with her back to his chest and her head tucked under his chin.
It wasn’t a move. He wasn’t trying to hook up with her – it was just for comfort. Surprisingly, despite everything that happened that night, she felt comforted. She allowed herself to relax against the solidness of his chest and the rapid beating of his heart.
Something fluttered inside her stomach.
Great. I’m falling for him. Like she needed more on her plate: saving Morgan, survival, the end of the world and now she had to deal with love and the zombie apocalypse.
Despite the nearness of Cage, Rachel fell asleep. Deep into nightmares of flesh eating cannibals. The dreams were so life-like and horrifying that it took a moment to realize that the screaming she heard wasn’t playing out in her dreams.
The screams were real and incredibly close.
Chapter Fourteen
Adam jumped to his feet. He blinked, trying to remember where the hell he was, and why he was napping on the area rug in the middle of the fire station’s television room. After a few seconds, every horrible memory flooded back. The barbecue. His mother. Joey. Tony at the Wooden Barrel. Selena. Vivienne. Zombies.
Selena crawled backward on the floor like a crab. Adam followed Selena’s line of vision, but he already knew what had frightened her.
Vivienne rose from the couch like a puppet being pulled by strings. Vivienne’s skin was a nasty grayish color and her eyes had changed from light green to frosty blue.
Selena started hyperventilating.
Vivienne’s jaw unhinged like a snake ready to devour its prey. Saliva dripped from her mouth. She raised her hands, her fingers curling into talons. The others were silent behind him. Nicky was lowered into a half crouch – his hair matted to his head from sleep. Cage positioned himself in front of Rachel.
“Nicky, please
grab Selena.” Adam inched forward, closing in on the lead pipe resting against the couch
Vivienne snarled.
“Take this, Adam.” Cage handed him Rachel’s baseball bat.
“No!” Selena reached for the bat, but Nicky held her back. “Adam, please don’t.”
“Selena,” Cage said. “That’s not your sister anymore. It’s not Vivienne.”
“No,” Selena struggled against Nicky.
Vivienne lumbered toward them.
“Please don’t bash her head in,” Selena pleaded. “Please. I can’t. Oh God. Please. Adam, please, at least… at least use the gun.”
Adam didn’t want to fire the gun. The sound would attract nearby zombies, but he understood Selena’s pain. Only yesterday he had watched his mother and best friend get eaten alive. Adam knew pain all too well and he wasn’t going to cause Selena any more than necessary.
Cage handed him the gun. The metal felt cool in his hands. “Someone take Selena to the other room, please.”
Vivienne raked her hands across the air. Her jaws snapped open and close. “Get Selena out of here!” Adam shouted.
The others sprang into action. Adam backed up, bumping into a chair. Vivienne was only a few feet away. “Selena’s in the other room,” Cage said quietly.
“I’m sorry, Vivienne.” Adam squeezed the trigger and watched, as if in slow motion, the bullet race from the barrel of the gun and sink into Vivienne’s forehead. She crumbled to the floor. Selena’s cry from the other room was louder than the gunfire.
Adam exhaled. The early morning sunlight streamed in from the window. The sun’s weak rays fell over Vivienne’s body. Adam snatched a blanket from the couch and covered her. He felt hollow inside. What had he done? You shot your girlfriend’s sister in the head, you idiot.
Nicky’s hand rested on his shoulder. “You had to, dude. Don’t feel bad. She understands.”
“Where is she?” Adam’s head was pounding.
“In the kitchen with Rachel.”
“We need to pack up and go.”
Nicky’s eyebrows rose. “Leave? Already? Can’t we sleep some more?”
Cage walked over to them. He slung a backpack over his shoulder. “Every zombie within a three mile radius heard that gunshot.”
Adam nodded. “We can’t stay now. Especially with Vivienne’s body here.”
“I’ll pack supplies,” Cage said.
Adam was left alone with the gun in his hand and a body at his feet. He didn’t want to face Selena. Would she hate him? What could he have done differently? He slipped the gun into his waistband and went to face the music.
The girls were alone in the kitchen. Selena’s head was buried in Rachel’s shoulder. Her dark hair in contrast to Rachel’s light blonde. Adam’s stomach flopped. How would she ever forgive him?
Rachel motioned him forward.
Selena turned. Her eyes were red and puffy. Mascara was smudged over her cheeks, but she looked beautiful. Adam tentatively raised his arms and she stumbled into them, burying her face in his chest.
Rachel tiptoed out of the kitchen.
“I’m so sorry.” Adam breathed in the sweet smell of her hair.
She shook her head. “It’s not your fault. She wouldn’t have wanted to walk around as one of those things.”
Adam ran his thumbs over her wet cheekbones.
“I used to be a stripper,” Selena blurted out. “I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t get another job and I had no money. It was stupid. I’m sorry. Please don’t hate me.” Fresh tears fell from her eyes.
Adam lowered his mouth to hers. Selena seemed surprised, but her lips relaxed and moved with his. Their kisses started soft and sweet, but then their lips moved with more urgency. She pressed the length of her body against his and he thought his heart would jump out of his chest. Dying from a heart attack from this beauty would be the way to go, especially during the zombie apocalypse.
Someone coughed. “Sorry, to…uh, interrupt,” Nicky said.
“There better be a good reason, because you just interrupted one of the best kisses of my life.” Adam kept his hands around Selena’s waist.
“Yeah, it looked pretty hot from over here,” Nicky said.
“Nicky.” Selena hid her face.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Nicky said again. “But, yes, there’s a good reason.”
“Well?” Adam said. “What is it?”
“Oh, there are like ten zombies down the street. I think they heard the gunshot. They’re headed for the fire station.”
Chapter Fifteen
Cage helped the others load up the truck. The zombies headed toward the general direction of the fire station, but they were still half a mile away. Apparently, the creatures heard the gunfire, but they weren’t smart enough to know exactly where it came from. Cage rode in back with Nicky and the girls were up front with Adam. Selena didn’t have time to say goodbye to Vivienne, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The zombies caught wind of them once they were outside the fire station. A handful chased after them, but as soon as they drove off in Adam’s truck, they lost the zombies without any problem.
Plumes of smoke rose high over the tree line. They weren’t far from his house and a knot was forming in Cage’s stomach. His neighborhood was on fire. Not every house, but enough homes that the smoke above the quiet residential street blocked out the sun. Cage couldn’t breathe and it wasn’t because of the smoke.
He poked his head into the truck cab to give Adam directions to his house. The street was littered with garbage and overturned trash cans. A four-car collision burned in the middle of the street where Cage had ridden his bike when he was a child. Flames roared from the McCloud house and the Yearling house. Straggling zombies roamed over the lawns. His neighborhood was in complete chaos.
Cage closed his eyes. He had to ready himself for the worse case scenario.
Adam turned at the stop sign. Cage saw his house at the end of the street. It wasn’t burning, thank goodness. In fact, it looked abandoned. His parents’ cars weren’t in the driveway, but that didn’t mean anything, because they were probably in the garage. All of the curtains were drawn tight over the windows.
The truck pulled in over the curb and grass because the mailbox was knocked over at the base of the driveway. Cage hopped out of the truck before it stopped. He ran to the front door and twisted the handle.
Locked.
He’d lost his keys when they were carjacked. “We have to go around back.” Cage didn’t wait for the others. He jogged around the house.
All of the curtains were drawn over the windows in the back, too. Cage reached the patio and retrieved the spare key from under the flowerpot. A snarl sounded behind him, but before Cage could turn around, Nicky slayed the zombie with an axe that he’d taken from the fire station. Cage didn’t check to see if the zombie was one of his neighbors. It was all too overwhelming to process.
The glass inset on the top of the door was boarded with wood from the kitchen cabinets. Something, probably a zombie, had broken the window. Had they gotten inside? Did his father board up the window in time? Cage fumbled with the key and unlocked the door.
The lights were off and all of the curtains were shut. The sunlight behind him sprayed inside, creating a spotlight into the house. Dust motes floated in the air. Cage stood frozen as his mind slowly processed the destruction of his home. The kitchen table and chairs were overturned. Shards of broken dishes were scattered across the tile floor.
Cage stepped inside. Someone groped the wall and the kitchen flooded with light. A reddish-brow spot stained the carpet that led to the living room.
Adam and Nicky fanned out with their weapons raised. Rachel silently moved beside him and Selena closed the door, killing the natural light.
Cage couldn’t stop staring at the stain. Whose blood was that? His mother’s? His father’s? He willed his legs to move. He staggered forward. Adam and Nicky walked ahead of him, respectfully stepping ov
er the stain.
Nicky reacted first. He was angled toward the hallway that led to his parents’ master bedroom. Nicky went rigid. He stepped back and bumped into the wall.
Cage knew.
Adam moved to Nicky’s side and raised his gun. He glanced over at Cage, too, waiting for some type of instruction. Some type of go ahead. Rachel froze where the tile met the carpet. She sucked in her breath.
Cage heard the deep guttural growl before he saw them. They moved slowly – probably because of their age. They were side-by-side wearing the same clothes he’d seen them in yesterday morning before he left for football practice.
His mother’s neck was torn out. Blood stained the collar of her yellow blouse. Her hair was matted against her face and she had those horrible icy blue eyes. The room tilted, but Cage forced himself to look at his father.
His dad’s arms were raised with his fingers curled at Adam and Nicky. His mouth opened in a horrible primal snarl. His shirt and tie were soaked in blood and bite marks covered his neck.
Nicky backed up against the wall. “Um, we have a situation.”
Cage rubbed his eyes. The room was spinning. How could this be happening? His stomach churned.
Nicky pointed the gun at Cage’s father.
“No! Don’t shoot them!” Rachel said.
“What do you want me to do?” Nicky glanced at Rachel. “I’m not giving myself up for a snack.”
Blackness edged into Cage’s vision, like the fading of an old movie. Someone led him to a kitchen chair. A loud ringing pierced his eardrums.
“Uh, they’re getting too close,” Nicky said.
Nicky and Adam backed into the kitchen.
“Don’t shoot them! Herd them into that room,” Rachel said.
Cage heard the commotion, but he couldn’t focus. His stomach was in his throat and he was about to hurl. He leaned forward in the chair and tried to concentrate on the tile design and not his parents’ awful moans.
Visions of his parents being attacked by zombies filled his head. Cage wasn’t there when they needed him. His stomach lurched and water spewed out of his mouth.