Adam kept the Suburban at twenty-miles per hour, in case he had to stop suddenly. The amount of debris and abandoned cars increased as they drove closer to Ann Arbor. Zombies roamed the highway, ducking in and out of abandoned cars. They’d catch sight of the Suburban and chase after them, but Adam drove fast enough that they weren’t a threat.
“Wow, did you see that one?” Adam asked. “He was quick.”
“It’s weird how some of them are fast and some of them are slow,” Nicky said. “I wonder why that is?”
“Maybe it has something to do with the condition their body was in before they turned.” Selena cringed when visions of Vivienne as a zombie flashed before her eyes. She tried to pull up images of her sister as she was in the past. Alive and vibrant.
“Some of these assholes would definitely catch me,” Nicky said.
“Do you think they’ll send help?” Selena pulled her knees to her chest. She was still barefoot and her feet were filthy. “Maybe the government will rescue us once we get to Ford Field.”
“Maybe,” Adam said.
Selena could tell by his voice that Adam didn’t believe in what he’d said. It was a little disheartening.
“Rachel, do you know where Morgan is staying at the University?” Adam asked.
“She’s at Peabody Dorm. All of the kids are there.”
Adam sucked in his breath. It hadn’t dawned on Selena either. Kids. Groups of helpless children were at this science camp.
“How many kids are at the camp?” Nicky asked.
“I’m not sure,” Rachel said. “Forty?”
“How old are they?” Adam asked.
“Eleven,” Rachel said quietly. “Forty eleven-year olds from all over the region. They were selected because of how smart they are and how hard they work.”
“Well, I’m going to ask the question that’s on everyone’s mind,” Lindsay said. “What are we going to do with forty eleven-year olds?”
Adam glanced in the rearview mirror. “Save them.”
Chapter Eighteen
They were fifteen miles from Ann Arbor. The gas tank was half full, but Adam wasn’t sure if they would have another chance to stop. It became pretty urban between Ann Arbor and Detroit and the upcoming exit was practically farmland. It was a good opportunity to get gas and stock up on more supplies.
The ride had been quiet because of the serious tension between Rachel, Cage and Lindsay. Adam felt like he was in an episode of some after-school show. Teenage hormones were a bitch. Cage had been incoherent since the episode with his parents, but he was showing signs of life. Adam could see it in his face. He felt bad for the kid – dealing with your parents turning into zombies was tough. Dealing with two high school girls wasn’t a walk in the park either.
“I’m stopping for gas,” Adam said.
“We’re out?” Lindsay squeaked.
“No, but I don’t want to roll into Ann Arbor on empty.” Adam maneuvered around an abandoned Volkswagen and veered off the exit ramp. He wasn’t familiar with the exit, but this stretch of highway was pretty rural. Dense forests lined both sides of the road. The exit boasted a McDonalds, an auto repair shop and an old Exxon gas station.
“Which side is the tank on?” Adam asked.
“Driver’s side,” Cage said.
Adam parked next to the gas pump. “Cage, can you pump? I’m going to see if I can find any spare gas cans. The rest of you, keep a lookout.” Adam hopped out of the car. “No wandering, please.”
“I can’t get a Big Mac from across the street?” Nicky grinned.
“Eat at your own risk.”
“Eating that stuff will kill you,” Lindsay said over her shoulder.
“And zombies won’t?” Nicky said.
Cage climbed out of the car to pump gas. Rachel got out of the car, too, but she walked around to Selena’s window.
Adam paused. “Rachel, where are you going?”
“I’m keeping watch,” she said. “I can see better from out here. Be careful inside.”
Adam jogged under the covered pavilion and opened the door. “Hello? Anyone in here?”
Looters had ransacked the store. Aisles that should’ve held candy bars and chips were empty. Crumbled paper filled the floor and the refrigerator doors were shattered.
“Hello?” Adam said. “I just want some gas. I have money.”
He walked to the counter. The cash register was open and empty. A box of power bars and beef jerky were scattered across the floor. He searched for an empty gas can, but the looters had stolen most of the necessary end-of-the-world supplies. He was surprised there was still gas left in the pump.
Adam gathered the remaining chips and snack cakes and headed to the car. When he stepped outside, a brown pickup truck crept into the gas station. Two men rode in the cab. A third man stood in the back of the truck with a hunting rifle aimed at the Suburban.
Cage and Nicky already had their guns aimed at the strangers. The truck stopped twenty feet away. The driver, wearing a grease-stained trucker hat and a tank top with faded jeans, casually strolled out with a rifle rested on his shoulder.
“Hello there, neighbors,” the man said.
“Stay where you are,” Nicky said. “Or I’ll blow your face off.”
“Don’t know where you kids are from, but we don’t talk to our neighbors like that around here.”
“I’m not your neighbor.”
“Nicky, keep your mouth closed, please.” Adam hurried over to the truck.
Rachel had been in conversation with Selena at the window, but now both girls were frozen. Lindsay was still presumably inside the car freaking out.
“Yeah, Nicky, keep your mouth closed,” said the younger man in the truck bed. His rifle was aimed expertly at the Suburban.
“Can I help you?” Adam said.
“It looks like you’ve already helped yourself. Perhaps, you can tell me why you’re robbing our gas station,” the older man said.
“Common thieves, Henry.” The younger man closed one eye as he gazed through the rifle’s scope. “Seeing as the world’s gone to shit. What’s that word called – Martian law – you know, where we can shoot people for doing bad things?”
“Marital law,” Henry said. “Not Martian, you idiot. Martians are aliens.”
“Martial law doesn’t give civilians the right to shoot people,” Adam said. “Martial law is when the government temporarily takes over.”
“Lookey here, we have us some educated thieves,” the younger man said.
“We’re not thieves,” Rachel said.
Henry pointed at Adam. “Did he pay for that?”
“Not yet,” Rachel said.
“Right,” Henry said. “You were going to pay after you loaded up that fancy truck.”
“The store has already been ransacked,” Adam said. “I have about ten dollars of snacks in my hands. I’ll be more than happy to pay for that and the gas. I’m not a thief.”
Henry didn’t say anything. The third man in the truck still hadn’t spoken, but he had a hunting rifle, too. They were in a sticky situation. These three men were armed. Everyone in the State of Michigan knew that Michiganders took their hunting seriously. Adam was sure that these guys were perfect shots. And, here he stood, unarmed with an armful of beef jerky. Cage and Nicky had guns, but they weren’t very good shots. Hell, they probably never fired a gun before last night.
“Where are you from?” Henry asked.
“Flint,” Cage said.
Henry made a face.
“What?” Nicky raised an eyebrow. “Jealous that you aren’t from the best city in the State?”
“Nicky,” Adam warned.
Henry ignored Nicky. “Where are you headed?”
“South,” Adam said before anyone could reveal their destination. He didn’t want this gang of hillbillies to know anything about them or where they were going.
Henry strolled closer to the Suburban. Cage and Nicky’s guns followed him. Henry peeked into th
e car and whistled. “Might I say, that you have three – count’em boys – three attractive young ladies with you, gentlemen.”
Adam dropped the snacks and rushed beside Cage and Nicky. The younger man in the truck bed moved his rifle from the Suburban to Adam’s chest.
“We don’t want any trouble,” Cage said. “We were just leaving.”
Henry picked at his teeth. “We don’t want any trouble, either. But this is our store. I’ve been coming here for forty years. The dead rise and everyone starts acting crazy. Robbing my store? I don’t think so.”
“I’ll pay for the gas and the food,” Adam said.
Henry stopped a few feet from Rachel. His eyes raked her up and down. Every muscle in Cage’s body tensed. Cage moved in between Henry and Rachel.
Henry smiled a yellow grin. “This one must be yours.”
“You should be on your way, Mister.” Cage had his gun aimed at Henry’s head, but the older man didn’t seem worried.
“This is my way, son.” Henry turned to his truck. “Eddie, Clint, I think we need to take back what’s ours, don’t ya think?”
“I swear to God I will blow your hillbilly brains out,” Nicky said. “Don’t make another move.”
“I say you’re bluffin’.”
The door of the rusty brown truck creaked open and the third man stepped out. He stood well over 6’4 with a shaved head and tattoos on his arms and chest. The younger boy in the back of the truck hopped down to the cement. He was grinning like it was Christmas morning.
Adam had to do something quickly.
Henry and the huge man were lazily holding their guns by their sides. The younger man was the only one actively pointing his gun - it was aimed at Adam’s chest.
Adam shuffled closer to Cage, Rachel and Nicky. “Get inside,” he whispered.
The three men walked to the Suburban. “Oooh wee!” The younger man gawked at the SUV. “I always wanted me a ride like that. Eddie, look at those hubcaps!”
“I don’t know, Clint.” The large man - Eddie – scratched his armpit. “I kind of like what’s in the car better than the car itself. Especially that cute brunette in the front seat.”
Rage swelled through Adam. He had to restrain himself so he wouldn’t take a swing at Eddie. Adam glanced at Cage and Nicky and tried to motion with his eyes. He had no idea if they knew what he was trying to do, but they had to do something now before things got out of hand. Adam waited until Clint – the younger one with the barrel pointed at his chest – was within striking distance and then he lunged for the rifle.
Cage reached back and opened the door. He shoved Rachel into the passenger seat on top of Selena and slammed the door shut. Eddie raised his gun, but Nicky shot him in the leg. Cage pivoted and pistol-whipped Henry on the side of the head.
“Get in the car! NOW!” Adam shoved Clint to the ground and ran around the front of the Suburban.
Henry was bent over. Blood dripped from his temple. Eddie raised his rifle.
“Get down!” Selena screamed.
An explosion rocked the car. Glass shattered around them as the back window blew to bits. Adam twisted the keys and slammed his foot on the pedal. The gas hose was still in the tank and gasoline sprayed the side of the car as they sped away. Adam glanced in the rearview mirror. Clint knelt on one knee and aimed the rifle at the Suburban.
“Holy shit! He’s trying to hit the gas tank.” Cage pushed Lindsay down with one hand. The rest of his body leaned over the seat to shield Rachel.
“The hell he is.” Adam swerved the Suburban back and forth.
A second gunfire reverberated through the air. Selena screamed. Adam closed his eyes briefly, anticipating the explosion, but the bullet missed. The Suburban trampled over the grass.
Adam glanced in the rearview mirror in time to see Henry aiming his rifle at them. A cold lump formed in Adam’s throat. He had a feeling Henry was a better shot than the others. The third gunshot rang out and this time the impact shook the entire car with a thunderous boom.
Chapter Nineteen
Cage thought they were dead. The entire back of the car was covered in gasoline. The smell penetrated the closed windows. When he heard the gunshot, he waited for the blast to blow them to pieces. Instead, the Suburban violently shuttered and veered down a grassy incline to the highway below.
Cage still held Lindsay down against the seat. She squirmed under his hand. She wasn’t smart enough to stay down on her own, even with the heavy gunfire. The rest of his body was leaning over the seat trying to shield Rachel. She was in survivor mode ducked low to the floor with her hands covering her head.
The bullet pierced the back tire. The explosion rocked the car frame as the rubber tire split to pieces. They sped down the hill. Selena reached over the armrest to help Adam regain control of the fishtailing SUV.
“Oh Jesus!” Nicky screamed. “Slow it down!”
“I’m trying!” Adam yelled.
“I don’t want to die!” Lindsay cried.
The grassy slope dipped into a valley before lifting back up to the highway. The Suburban slowed, but not enough. They were going to crash into the waist-high metal barrier that stood in between the grass and the road.
“Brace yourselves!” Adam yelled.
Cage made the split second decision. He didn’t even realize he was doing it. One minute he held Lindsay down with one hand and shielded Rachel from over the seat. The next minute, he hopped over the seat and covered Rachel with his entire body.
Cage wrapped his arms and legs around Rachel and tried to protect every square inch of her body. She made a sound of surprise, but then she wrapped her arms around his biceps and held her breath.
Nicky rolled into a ball in front of him. “I love you, dude.”
Metal crunched against metal as they slammed head on into the barrier. Cage squeezed Rachel, but the force of the blow rammed them against the seat.
Rachel gasped as they slammed against a mix of fabric and steel. Cage took the brunt of the collision with his shoulder. A split second of absolute silence sounded before the horn blared.
Cage exhaled and whispered into Rachel’s hair. “Are you all right?”
“I think so,” she said. “Are you?”
“I’m fine.” Cage lifted himself from Rachel. Shots of pain radiated down his shoulder to his elbow. He shook his arm, but the pain didn’t ease. Rachel was cowered in a ball on the floor. He picked her up and placed her in the seat.
Nicky brushed glass out of his hair. “My neck is killing me. Too bad the world’s over or I could sue the firefighter.”
Cage leaned over the seat. “Lindsay, are you okay?”
“Yes. No thanks to you,” she squeaked.
“Selena? Adam?” Cage tried to open his door, but it was stuck. The horn continued to blare. “Are you two okay?”
Adam was sprawled over the steering wheel. The airbag must’ve inflated and then deflated, because the white bag was popped in between Adam and the wheel. Selena was crouched beside him, her head smashed into his torso. Neither of them moved.
Cage climbed over the seat. “Selena? Adam?”
Selena twitched and blindly reached for Adam.
“Adam?” Cage leaned forward.
“Is he okay?” Rachel asked.
Selena slowly sat up. She squeezed the bridge of her nose. “Everything is really blurry. Adam, are you okay?” She lightly touched Adam’s arm again, but when he didn’t move, she shook him. “Adam, wake up.”
He didn’t respond.
“Adam?” Selena said.
“Is he dead?” Lindsay asked.
“Shut up,” Rachel said. “Don’t say that.”
“He’s not moving,” Lindsay said. “It’s a practical question.”
Selena shot Lindsay a murderous glare. She shook Adam’s arm until it flopped down beside him. “Adam Guerra, wake up this minute! You are not dying on me in some lame car crash.”
Adam groaned.
“Adam?” Selena thr
ew her arms awkwardly around him. “Are you okay? Where are you hurt?”
He raised his head from the deflated airbag. “That hurt.”
“Are you okay?” Selena asked again.
“I’ve been better. I think I was knocked out.” Adam glanced in the rearview mirror. “Is everyone okay back there?” Adam’s pupils dilated in the mirror. He cursed.
“What?” Cage twisted around.
The three men stood at the top of the hill. Henry was on one knee taking aim with his rifle at the Suburban. The other two had their guns raised, too.
“Why don’t these hillbillies give up?” Nicky said.
“Will the car start?” Selena asked.
Adam shoved the airbag to the side. He twisted the key, but the car made a gurgling sound. Gunshots fired. A bullet hit the back of the car.
“Get down!” Nicky reached for his gun.
“Come on, come on.” Adam twisted the key again, but the engine sputtered.
“Should we make a run for it?” Lindsay asked.
“They’ll pick us off one by one from that angle on the hill,” Adam said. “Come on, start!” He twisted the key again and the Suburban rumbled to life. “YES! Hold on! This is going to be bumpy!”
Adam slammed the car in reverse and drove over the grass, parallel to the metal barrier. Gunshots rang out like a firing range. Cage’s window exploded in a shower of glass.
“Get down!”
“See that space up there?” Selena pointed through the windshield. “You can get on the highway there. Careful, watch that ditch.”
Adam veered right and the bumpy off-roading turned to smooth cement. Cage poked his head out of the broken window, but they were beyond firing range. He glanced in the backseat at Rachel and their eyes met.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Cage nodded and slid into his seat, ignoring the throbbing pain in his shoulder. Lindsay scooted as far from him as possible.
“Are you okay, Linds?” Cage reached to touch her arm.
She struck like a viper and slapped his hand. “Don’t touch me, Cage! How dare you leave me alone like that! I could have died.”