Cage heard the others, but he kept his eyes on the tile. On the stupid floral design that his mother picked out last year - the one he and his dad thought was too girly for the kitchen. Why had he told his mother that he didn’t like the tile? Who cared what it looked like? Oh God, this wasn’t happening.
Someone kneeled beside him. Rachel. He could sense her without seeing her. He forced his eyes to follow the tile design.
“I’m so sorry,” Rachel whispered in his ear. “I’m sorry, Cage.”
“We can’t leave them in that room,” Selena said.
“Whatever Cage wants to do,” Adam said. “We can give him some time.”
“Do you think there’s food in the kitchen?” Nicky asked. “What? I’m starving. I haven’t eaten in like a day.”
Rachel rubbed soothing circles over Cage’s back. “Selena, can you bring me a glass of water, please? I think he needs something to drink.”
A door creaked. Cage felt everyone swing into action, but he didn’t care. There could be nothing worse than seeing his parents like that. Commotion filled the room and then he heard Adam. “Wait! She’s not a zombie!”
“Of course I’m not a zombie, you idiot,” a high-pitched voice squeaked.
The sound was like nails on a chalkboard. Cage lifted his eyes from the tile. Her heeled sandals were only steps from the bloodstains on the carpet. Adam and Nicky lowered their weapons. They glanced at each other, clearly confused. Rachel stood beside Cage, the baseball bat clutched tightly in her hands.
Lindsay’s eyes roamed over the scene until they landed squarely on Cage.
“If you’re not a zombie, then who are you?” Selena placed her hands on her hips.
“I’m Cage’s girlfriend.”
Chapter Sixteen
Cage’s girlfriend.
Rachel felt like she’d been punch in the gut. She slid away from Cage. She didn’t know why she did so, but she felt like she should. Cage still looked dazed. His face was ashen and sweaty. The girl – Lindsay, apparently – ran past Selena and threw her arms around Cage’s neck.
“I called you a million times, but you didn’t answer. I thought you were dead!” Lindsay sat on his lap. Her voice was high and squeaky, almost comical, though Rachel hardly thought the situation was funny.
Cage swallowed. His hand rested lightly on her back. “Lindsay?”
“It’s me, Cage. Are you all right? What’s wrong with him?” Lindsay asked Rachel.
Rachel backed up until she slammed against the counter.
“What’s wrong with you, Blondie?” Lindsay made a face and then turned to Selena. “What’s the matter with Cage?”
“His parents,” Selena said quietly.
Lindsay blinked. “Oh. That’s right, I almost forgot - they’re monsters now. That sucks.”
Nicky leaned over the counter with his chin in his hands and watched Lindsay and Cage.
Lindsay smoothed Cage’s dark hair. “I was hiding in the closet all night. I was so scared, Cage.”
Cage blinked.
“My house was attacked by those monsters and I barely escaped,” Lindsay said. “I only live a few blocks away, so I ran down here to find Cage. I’d talked to him earlier in the day and he told me he was swinging by Cecilia’s and then heading home. I was waiting for him.”
Rachel’s stomach tightened. Cecilia’s Pizzeria. Cage called Lindsay before he went to the pizzeria. Of course he did. Lindsay was his girlfriend. Rachel’s face flushed and she turned away. She grabbed a dishtowel and folded it into a perfect square. She couldn’t look at Lindsay sitting on his lap.
Rachel felt stupid. She thought she had a connection with Cage. Especially after how he acted when the shower zombie attacked her. And what about last night when she fell asleep in his arms? Had she misinterpreted his actions? Rachel glanced over her shoulder.
Lindsay was telling the others about her courageous story of hiding from Mr. and Mrs. Vance until her heroic boyfriend could return home. Blah, blah, blah. Her voice was irritating. Not to mention, she was cute, which annoyed Rachel. She was tall and skinny and her skin looked like she’d never exposed it to the sun. She wasn’t dirty and bloody like the rest of them and Lindsay’s nails were perfectly manicured light pink. One thing was certain, Cage wasn’t lying when he said he liked blondes, but apparently he meant bleached blondes.
Rachel had to get out of here. Why was she getting jealous over some stupid rich boy and his equally stupid girlfriend? When had she lost sight of what was important? She had to get to Ann Arbor and rescue Morgan.
Selena slid a granola bar across the counter. “Eat this.”
The sympathy on Selena’s face boiled Rachel’s blood. The others felt sorry for her. Well, she didn’t need their sympathy. That was for sure. Rachel snatched the granola bar from the counter and tore the paper open with her teeth. She would eat, stock up on supplies and go.
Mr. and Mrs. Vance pounded against the bedroom door. The sound of their growls was heartbreaking. Cage pushed Lindsay off his lap and stood up. He ran his hand over his face. “I can’t leave them in there. It’s too cruel.”
“I’ll do it,” Adam said.
“No,” Cage said. “They’re my parents, I’ll do it.”
“That’s exactly why you don’t need to do it.” Adam put his hand on Cage’s shoulder. “Trust me, man. You don’t need to see that. Nicky will help me.”
Nicky grabbed his gun. “I guess I’m the trusty sidekick in this situation.”
Cage’s eyes flickered to the door.
Adam nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”
Lindsay grabbed Cage’s hand. “Let’s go to your bedroom, so you don’t have to hear these people shoot your parents.” She dragged Cage down the hallway.
“Are you okay?” Nicky asked.
“What do you mean? I’m fine,” Rachel said.
“You don’t look fine,” Nicky said. “You look like you want to tear Alvin & the Chipmunk’s little blonde head off.”
Selena elbowed Nicky.
“Come on, Nicky,” Adam said. “Let’s get this over with. I’m going to kick open the door. Don’t let them out.”
Rachel opened the refrigerator and grabbed a can of pop.
“Don’t worry. Cage didn’t seem happy to see her.” Selena perched herself on the counter.
“I don’t care.” Rachel chugged the pop. “And, for the record, Cage didn’t seem happy because his parents are zombies.”
Adam kicked the door off the hinges. The growling and groaning was awful. Rachel turned her head. It was too much.
“You’re prettier,” Selena said.
“Thanks. But, again, I don’t care. I’m leaving.”
“What do you mean you’re leaving?” Selena slid off the counter.
“I have to get to Ann Arbor to save my sister.” Rachel waved her hand in the air. “All of this is taking too long. Cage promised me a car. Hopefully, he’ll keep that promise.”
Two gunshots fired from the bedroom.
Rachel’s stomach sank. Poor Cage. She couldn’t imagine what he was feeling right now. The door slammed shut and Nicky and Adam appeared in the hallway. Adam’s face was grim, but Nicky grabbed an apple from the fruit basket.
“What promise?” Nicky asked in between bites.
“Of a car,” Rachel said. “I’m leaving.”
“Now?” Adam asked.
“I have to.”
“Okay,” he said. “We need to gather more supplies.”
“I’m going alone.” Rachel stuffed two granola bars in her pocket.
“Don’t be stupid. You won’t make it out there alone.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re a teenage girl, with a baseball bat as your only weapon, and you want to drive fifty miles across a zombie infested state to one of the biggest campuses in America to rescue your little sister.” Adam grabbed a bottle of water. “I told you I’d go with you. And I will.”
Selena glanced at Adam. ??
?You’re going to Ann Arbor?”
“I can’t let Rachel go alone. You’re coming with me, right?”
“Of course, I go where you go,” Selena said.
“What about you, Nicky?” Adam asked.
“My calendar is clear. I’m up for anything,” Nicky said.
“Let’s gather all of the supplies we can find. Someone should talk to Cage and see what he’s going to do.” Adam’s eyes landed on Rachel.
“Fine, I’ll go.” She didn’t want to, but she couldn’t just steal the Vance’s car and she didn’t want to wait for the lovebirds to come out of the bedroom. Rachel tossed the empty pop can in the garbage and stalked down the hallway.
Dozens of framed photographs of Cage from all ages filled the beige walls. She vaguely wondered what it would be like to live in one house for your entire childhood. How would it feel to see pictures of yourself hanging on the walls?
She peeped her head into a study, a guest bedroom and a bathroom, but all of the rooms were empty. Cage’s room was the last one on the left. What if they are making out? Rachel stood in front of the door for a whole minute before she built up enough nerve to knock.
Lindsay’s heavily made-up face filled the door crack. “What do you want?”
“I need to speak with Cage.”
“He’s upset right now. His parents just died. Again. Or did you forget?”
Cage emerged from behind Lindsay. “Rachel, are you okay?”
“Can I talk to you?”
“Of course.” Cage squeezed past Lindsay and out into the hallway.
“Where are you going, Cage?” Lindsay asked.
“To talk with Rachel.” He led Rachel to the study. His face had regained some color, but his eyes were glassy and out of focus.
She leaned against Mr. Vance’s desk. She didn’t know how to start. Rachel squeezed her hands together. Why was this so hard? “Cage, I’m sorry about your parents. I really am. I have no idea what you are going -”
Cage put his hand up. “Thanks, Rachel. I really appreciate it.”
“I know this is terrible timing, but I’m scared that I’m running out of time to save Morgan.”
“Of course.” Cage ran his hand through his hair. “We should get going. Absolutely.”
“No. I know you’re dealing with a lot right now, but,” Rachel said. “If I could borrow one of your cars. I promise, I’ll bring it back if I’m still alive. I swear.”
Cage’s face scrunched up. “Borrow a car?”
“You said you’d let me borrow one of your cars to save Morgan.”
“I know I did,” Cage said. “But I thought I’d be going with you.”
“Oh.” Rachel deflated. He wasn’t going to let her borrow a car. She should’ve known better to trust him. “Okay, I’ll find another ride. Maybe Adam -”
Cage shook his head. “What? What are you talking about? I’m coming with you.”
“But,” Rachel said.
“But what? That was the plan, right? I can give you a car if you want, but I don’t understand why you don’t want me to go with you.” Cage looked hurt.
Rachel pointed toward his bedroom. “Things changed, right?”
Cage licked his lips. “Nothing has changed.”
“But I -”
“I’m going to Ann Arbor with you,” Cage said.
Lindsay appeared in the doorway. She crossed her arms over her chest and gave Rachel the death stare. “You’re what?”
“I’m going to Ann Arbor to help Rachel find her little sister.”
Lindsay made a face. “Why would you want to do that?”
“You don’t have to come with me,” Rachel said.
Cage gave Rachel a level look. “I’m going with you.”
“Fine,” Rachel said.
Lindsay sighed. “Well, if Cage is going to Ann Arbor, then I’m going, too.”
Chapter Seventeen
Selena didn’t know how rich Cage was until they walked out to the garage. There were three cars. One of them, some fancy European car, clearly didn’t run. The hood was up and half of the engine lay on a table beside it. The red sports car was too small for the six of them (the group had grown to six since Cage’s annoying girlfriend, or whatever she was, insisted on tagging along). So they decided to take the silver Suburban to Ann Arbor.
Selena didn’t care where they went. The only reason she was going was because of Adam. He was adamant about helping the girl and he felt protective of Rachel. He was that type of man. Tough, but soft on the inside and that was precisely the reason Selena was falling in love with him.
Rachel had reverted back to a wallflower since Lindsay appeared. The boys were clueless, but Selena had enough experience with heartbreak to recognize one when it was staring her in the face.
Lindsay hung on to Cage like a leech, but he didn’t seem to notice. He was officially checked out of reality. The poor kid blamed himself for what happened to his parents. For once in her life, Selena was glad that her parents had passed away ten years ago. She wouldn’t want them to see what the world had become or how Vivienne had died.
They gathered as many supplies as they could fit into the SUV. Cage’s father had a closet full of guns and a decent amount of food in the kitchen. They packed individual backpacks and even found an old tent in the attic.
The Suburban seated eight people - two captain seats up front and two bench-styled seats in the back. Rachel climbed in the back row and tugged Nicky in after her. She nestled her head against the window and ignored everyone.
“I’ll drive if you want,” Adam said.
Cage handed him the keys and slid into the middle bench in front of Rachel. Lindsay practically sat on his lap.
“It looks like you’re my co-captain, beautiful.” Adam opened the passenger door for Selena and she climbed into the Suburban.
“I don’t see why we have to go, too,” Lindsay said to Cage. “It’s dangerous on the road. And we’re going to Ann Arbor? Really? The university has fifty thousand people! Can you imagine how many of those things are out there?”
“You don’t have to go with us,” Rachel said from the back row. “No one’s holding a gun to your head.”
“Did you hear how she spoke to me?” Lindsay asked Cage. “Who does she think she is?”
“I’m going to Ann Arbor to help Rachel,” Cage said calmly. “You’re welcome to come with us, Linds. Or you’re welcome to stay.”
“Wow, you can cut the tension in here with a knife!” Nicky rubbed his hands together. “This is going to be an AWESOME road trip.”
Adam hit the garage door opener. “Doors are locked. Put your seat belts on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” He backed out of the garage, over the grass and onto the street.
Selena twisted the knob on the radio.
“Good idea,” Nicky said. “Tunes for the road trip.”
“I’m checking for the news,” Selena said.
“This isn’t a road trip,” Adam said.
Nicky drummed his fingers on the seat in front of him. “Really? We’re on the road and we’re going somewhere. That’s a road trip in my book.”
Lindsay pushed Nicky’s fingers off the seat. “Who are you?”
Nicky stuck out his hand. “Nicky Ayers.”
Lindsay didn’t shake his hand. She turned to Cage. “Where did you find these people?”
“They saved me,” Cage said. “Every single person in this car – except for you, Linds – has saved my life in the last twenty-four hours. Please stop being rude to them.”
“Sorry, jeez.” Lindsay slid closer to Cage.
Adam headed toward the highway. Selena twisted the knob, but she wasn’t picking up any stations.
“Dude, if it’s only going to broadcast static, turn it down,” Nicky said. “You’re hurting my ears.”
“Do you call everyone ‘dude’?” Selena twisted the dial again and found a station. It was an emergency broadcast. “Repeat – a safe zone has been established in the foll
owing two state-wide locations: Spartan Stadium in East Lansing and Ford Field in Detroit. Military crews along with medical equipment and food supplies have been established at these locations.”
“Ford Field?” Rachel asked. “That’s not far from Ann Arbor.”
“Isn’t that where the Tigers play?” Lindsay inspected her nails.
“Ford Field is where the Detroit Lions play,” Nicky said. “You know, the football team.”
Lindsay shrugged. “It’s all the same.”
“Actually, it’s not,” Nicky said.
“Ford Field is in downtown Detroit,” Adam said. “Not far from Manny’s house.”
“Who’s Manny?” Cage asked.
“My cousin,” Adam said. “He’s a Marine. He’d be a ton of help, trust me.”
“Then let’s get him,” Selena said. “The more people we have with us, the better chance we have of surviving.”
Selena saw Rachel move in the backseat. She was about to protest when Cage shook his head. “We have to get Morgan first. That was the original plan, besides she’s just a little girl.”
“You’re right,” Adam said. “I’m sure Manny can hold his own for a while. We’ll head to Ann Arbor to grab Morgan, drive to Detroit to pick up Manny and then go to the safe zone at Ford Field.”
“That’s a good plan,” Nicky said. “I like it.”
“Detroit is going to be crawling with zombies,” Selena said. “Think of how bad it was in Flint. Detroit will be a hundred times worse.”
“I’m with the brunette,” Lindsay said. “This is a bad idea.”
“It’s Selena,” she said. “And I’m not saying it’s a bad plan, I’m just saying it’s going to be tough.”
The broadcast recording repeated the list of safe zones. How many other survivors were out there? Would they be safe at Ford Field? Did it really matter? Ever since Vivienne died, Selena’s only concern was Adam. She was going where he was going, no matter what – regardless if it was safe or not.
Adam veered onto the on-ramp. The highway was mostly clear. Small groups of people walked beside the road, but the group agreed not to stop. They didn’t have any room or supplies to spare. Besides, you never knew who was crazy and who wasn’t. A handful of cars sped by, swerving around the abandoned vehicles. Everyone was heading in the same direction - south.