“We all could’ve died,” Nicky said.
“Oh, shut up, you hippie.” Lindsay glared at Cage. “You didn’t try to protect your own girlfriend! Instead you saved some trailer-trash hussy that you don’t even know!”
“This is getting good!” Nicky rubbed his hands together.
“I’ve never lived in a trailer park,” Rachel said quietly. “And I’m not a hussy.”
“Whatever, slut,” Lindsay spat.
Rachel opened her mouth, but then closed it.
“I’m sorry you’re upset, Lindsay,” Cage said. “But for the hundredth time, you’re not my girlfriend. We broke up. Remember?”
Lindsay’s cheeks flushed pink.
Rachel shifted in the seat behind him. He’d wanted to say that out loud for a while, but the time hadn’t been right. He’d been in such a shock from seeing his parents that Lindsay’s presence hadn’t really registered. Of course, he physically saw Lindsay, but for the few hours after seeing his parents turned into zombies, Cage hadn’t seen anything. He was blinded by anger and regret because he should’ve been there for his parents.
Now that he was more coherent, he didn’t want Lindsay jeopardizing his chances with Rachel. He liked Rachel a lot. Cage didn’t mind that Lindsay was with them – he was glad she was alive and safe – but he didn’t want Lindsay’s mouth to come in between whatever was growing (or hopefully growing) between Rachel and him.
The Suburban sputtered, but continued on Highway U.S. 23 South. His father’s SUV was in bad shape. The engine groaned if they drove above thirty miles per hour. A gunshot had blown out the rear tire and the rim scraped against the cement like a sparkler on the Fourth of July.
The number of abandoned cars on the road was unsettling. Dozens upon dozens of empty vehicles stood stranded in the middle of the highway- some with bloody or broken windows. Luggage, trash and boxes were scattered across the highway. Zombies straggled along the road, but there weren’t enough of them to be a threat in the Suburban.
“What exit is the campus?” Adam asked. “We’re only about seven or eight miles away.
“I’m not sure,” Rachel said.
“It’s exit 41, Plymouth Road,” Lindsay said. “Everyone knows that. Don’t you go to football games? Tailgating? Hello?”
“I’m more of a Michigan State fan,” Nicky said. “But I do know about Gianni’s Pizzeria on the Strip at the U of M.”
“Figures,” Lindsay said.
“What’s that up there on the road?” Selena leaned toward the windshield. “Oh my goodness.”
“How are we going to get through that?” Cage gripped Adam’s headrest.
The Suburban slowed to a stop in front of the enormous pile-up. Vehicles spread from both sides of the concrete divider all the way down to the forest. Cars were smashed into each other at least eight deep. The accident was packed so tight that the inner cars couldn’t even open their doors. A handful of zombies roamed around the monstrous accident, reaching into open windows.
“What on earth caused that?” Selena asked.
“My guess is a whole lot of zombies.” Nicky drummed his hands on his legs.
“Would you stop drumming? You’re not in a band,” Lindsay muttered.
“I used to be.”
“What are we going to do?” Rachel said.
Cage heard the fear in her voice. Time was ticking. Every second of delay was potentially one second of Morgan’s life. The odds of finding Rachel’s little sister were slim and, as each hand on the clock ticked by, the chances grew slimmer.
“Ram through,” Nicky said.
“There’s too many cars, you idiot,” Lindsay said. “We have to turn around and find another way.”
“Turn around? We can’t turn around,” Rachel said.
“We can’t go forward, Brains.” Lindsay yawned. “Or we could just sit here until enough of those things come and break into Mr. Vance’s Suburban.”
Cage flinched when Lindsay mentioned his father. His dad’s pale zombie face flashed in front of his eyes. Cage squeezed his eyes shut. He wanted to burn that image out of his memory.
“Dude, ram through that,” Nicky said. “This thing is a beast, you can push those other cars out of the way. Stay clear of that semi.”
“We won’t make it,” Selena said. “This car is about to fall apart. Maybe we should go back.”
“And go where?” Adam twisted around to face the others. “It might be more dangerous if we go back. I don’t know how to get there and the GPS on this thing isn’t working, but I’m not going to make the call.”
“Then who is?” Lindsay asked.
“Rachel,” Adam said.
Lindsay sighed dramatically. “Perfect.”
Cage turned in his seat. Rachel gnawed at her fingernails. She looked tiny and delicate, but he knew better. The deliberation was clear as day on her face. He could almost hear the imaginary clock ticking over her head. Time was of the essence.
Her blue eyes flickered from Adam to Cage. She bit her thumb so hard, that the tip of her finger went white. “Ram through,” Rachel said.
“Yes!” Nicky squeezed her shoulder.
Lindsay threw her hands in the air.
“That would’ve been my choice, too,” Adam said. “Okay everyone, if you haven’t already done so, buckle up.”
Adam steered the Suburban toward a small green Volkswagen. The car didn’t weigh anything and it easily nudged out of the way. Behind the Volkswagen was a white Dodge Taurus wedged in between a SUV and a pickup truck. Adam lined the front of the Suburban with the side of the Taurus and tried to push it aside. He pressed down on the gas. The tires squealed, but the Taurus didn’t budge.
“Gun it,” Nicky said.
“Hold on!” Adam slammed his foot down on the gas. The Suburban lurched forward and crashed into the Taurus. The side of the small car moved, but not enough. Adam put the car in reverse and plunged forward again. The engine groaned and then died.
Adam twisted the key, but the engine wouldn’t turn over. He tried three more times. “It’s dead.”
“Like us,” Nicky said.
“It was your suggestion.” Selena sighed.
“I told you it was a stupid idea,” Lindsay said.
Rachel climbed over Nicky’s lap and pushed open the door. She hopped outside. “It’s my fault. I made the call.”
“It’s no one’s fault, Rachel. The car died,” Adam said.
Rachel shrugged. “It is, what it is. Let’s walk.”
“Walk?” Lindsay’s hand shot to her heart. “You want me to walk outside? With those things out there? Absolutely not.”
“The car’s dead. I have to get Morgan. If anyone has a better idea, let’s hear it.”
“We can walk. It’s not too far and maybe we can find another car.” Cage crawled over Lindsay and jumped out. He opened the hatch to the Suburban. It was packed full of ammunition, first aid kits, food and water.
“I’m not walking,” Lindsay said. “I refuse.”
“Okay.” Rachel slung a backpack over her shoulder. “See you later.”
“In the woods?” Selena laid a hand on Adam’s arm. “Shouldn’t we stay near the road?”
“I’m not twisting in between those cars, so one of those things can jump out and grab me,” Rachel said. “Once we get far enough past this wreck, then we can walk beside the road.” She walked down the grassy slope using the baseball bat as a hiking stick.
Adam slung a bag over his shoulder. “Lindsay, are you coming with us or are you staying in here by yourself?”
Lindsay glared at Cage. She hopped out of the car and stalked down the hill.
“Wait!” Cage said.
She spun around with lifted eyebrows. “What?”
Cage held up a bag. “You have to help carry supplies. We can’t afford to leave anything behind.”
“I’m not hiking through the woods and carrying a bag,” Lindsay said.
“You are if you want to eat tonight.”
Adam helped Selena out of the car.
Lindsay tore the bag from Cage’s hand and marched down the hill.
“What were you thinking? Why on earth would you ever date her? She’s horrible,” Selena said to Cage. “If the zombies don’t kill her, I might.”
“Be my guest,” Cage said.
“You have some serious making-up to do, my friend.” Adam grabbed one of Selena’s bags from her hand.
“What do you mean?” Cage asked.
Adam pointed to Rachel marching at the front of the group. “You’re in the doghouse.”
“Me? But I didn’t do anything,” Cage said. At least, he didn’t think he did. Hadn’t Rachel and him hit it off at the fire station last night? Sure, Lindsay had unexpectedly shown up, but they weren’t together anymore. Was Rachel really angry with him?
Selena made a face and Adam pointed to her. “The fairer sex says you have.”
Cage cursed and jogged ahead. He rushed by Nicky flirting with Lindsay and caught up with Rachel near the forest line. “Hey. How are you doing?”
“I’ve been better,” Rachel said.
“How does your arm feel?”
Rachel looked down at her bandaged forearm. “It still hurts, but I think the antibiotics are working. The skin isn’t as tender around the bite.”
“We should get there soon. We’re only a few miles from the U of M.”
“I hope we make it before sunset,” Rachel said. Cars had crashed into the first line of trees, but the area was clear a few yards into the forest. She stepped over a tree branch. “Why’d you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Shield me with your body before the crash.” She kept her eyes forward, pushing limbs and braches out of the way.
“I didn’t want you to get hurt.”
“What about Lindsay?”
Cage shrugged. “I didn’t think. I just reacted and I wanted to protect you.”
“Why? You don’t know me. She’s your girlfriend. You should’ve protected her.”
“She’s my ex-girlfriend.”
Rachel shrugged. “It’s all the same.”
“Actually, it’s not the same. That’s why there is an ‘ex’ in front of the word. Meaning ‘no more.’ It’s in the dictionary.”
“But you know her, right? You don’t know me.”
“I’ve known Lindsay most of my life.”
“Figures,” Rachel said.
“I don’t understand why you’re upset.” Cage reached for her, but she stepped aside. His fingers grazed her arm.
“I’m not upset.”
“Yes, you are.”
Rachel flashed a fake smile. “See, this is me not being upset.”
Cage sighed. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m sorry I wanted to protect you? I’m sorry Lindsay is my ex-girlfriend?”
Rachel shook her head. “Forget it. It doesn’t matter. The accident looks clear from here, we should head back to the highway.” She cut in front of him and hiked up the hill.
Cage raced after her. “Slow down, will you?”
“We have to get Morgan.”
“I know, but we need to stick together. You’re walking too fast for the others.”
Rachel glanced over her shoulder. “Fine. Sorry.”
“And it does matter.”
“What?”
“You said it didn’t matter and for me to forget it,” Cage said. “I don’t want to do that. It does matter to me. You matter to me.”
Cage and Rachel reached the top of the hill where the grass met the highway. They’d passed the majority of the wreck. An ambulance and an abandoned fire truck were parked a few feet away. The others were just coming out of the forest.
Rachel tugged the strap on her backpack. “Listen, Cage, I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I really do. I’m grateful that you’re helping me find Morgan, but let’s not fool ourselves, okay? We just met - like twenty-four hours ago. We don’t know each other. There is no way that I can matter to you. So can we please drop it?”
Rachel turned before Cage could reply and marched down the side of the highway. He was about to chase after her, but then the zombie jumped out of the fire truck and tackled him to the ground.
Chapter Twenty
“Cage!”
Cage wasn’t sure who’d screamed his name. He was too busy trying to keep the zombie’s jaws away from him. One minute Rachel was basically telling him to buzz off and, the next minute, he was lying on the highway trying not to get his face chewed off.
His shoulder was sore from the crash and each squeeze from the female zombie’s hands was like razor sharp needles stabbing his nerves. Leaves and bits of flesh were tangled in her fiery strands of hair. One icy blue eye hung from the socket, the orb dangling near Cage’s face like a yo-yo on a string.
“Cage!”
A swoosh cut through the air followed by the sound of a bat smashing the redhead’s skull. The force of the blow knocked the zombie off him. Rachel shattered the zombie’s skull with a second swing and then she fell to her knees beside him. “Are you okay? Did she get you?”
Cage recognized a high-pitched screech. Lindsay was on the other side of him screaming at the top of her lungs. Rachel ignored Lindsay and patted his chest and arms. “Did she get you?”
He shook his head. “No. I don’t think so.”
“Cage, Cage, Cage,” Lindsay sobbed. “The zombie almost bit you.”
Nicky towered over Lindsay. “Dude, what the hell? Didn’t you hear that zombie?”
“What? No,” Cage said.
“She came flying out of the truck like a wrestler soaring from the top rope. I don’t know how you didn’t hear it. I heard it from down the hill. You must’ve been zoning out or something,” Nicky said.
Rachel rose to her feet.
“Are you all right?” Adam reached the top of the hill with Selena.
“I’m fine,” Cage said. “Rachel saved me.”
Lindsay wiped the tears away with her hand.
“Lindsay, I’m okay,” Cage said. “Really.”
Nicky helped Cage off the ground.
“Quick reflexes,” Adam said to Rachel. “We need to stay close together for that very reason. Anything can jump out at us.”
Cage glanced down at the zombie. The woman’s head was bashed into the cement. That was a close call. He needed to pay better attention to what was going on around him.
Nicky slapped his arm. “Damn mosquitos.” His jaw fell open. “Do you think I can get the zombie disease from a mosquito?” He slapped his arms and legs. “I can’t die because of a mosquito!”
“I doubt it,” Adam said. “Let’s keep moving before more zombies show up. I want to get to Ann Arbor before night falls.”
“Doubt it?” Nicky asked. “You’re not sure?”
Lindsay’s face was puffy from crying. “You’re such an idiot, Nicky.”
~ ~ ~
Selena’s feet were killing her. She didn’t complain, of course. She was grateful to be wearing an old pair of Mrs. Vance’s shoes – she’d found them in the back of the Suburban when they unloaded the car. She’d been barefoot since the zombie attack at the Wooden Barrel. You couldn’t really run for your life in high heels.
Blisters sprouted and freely bled, making her feet wet and sticky. They’d been walking on the highway for over two hours, supposedly closing in on Ann Arbor. The heat made the journey worse. The sun blazed high in the sky and burned Selena’s skin. They only had ten bottles of water– what they’d taken from Cage’s house – and Selena didn’t want to think about what would happen when the water ran out.
No food. No water. No car.
Adam walked beside her, carrying three bags, one of which was hers, but he insisted on carrying it. Everyone was quiet because they didn’t want to attract any zombies. Especially after the redheaded one jumped out of nowhere to attack Cage. It was a good thing Rachel was such a bad ass and saved Cage in the nick of time. Selena wished she co
uld be as useful as Rachel. Selena had killed a couple of zombies, but she knew she was a burden in the group. She had to be protected - just like that annoying Lindsay. They were both in the same boat - one hundred percent useless.
Not Rachel. She moved with a fierceness that Selena hadn’t seen in any woman. She was quick and cold and assassin-like. Well, maybe an assassin was a little too generous of a categorization, but it wasn’t far off the mark.
“Thank goodness,” Lindsay sighed. “That’s the Ann Arbor exit.”
Nicky crammed a granola bar in his mouth and mumbled something.
“What?” Selena stuck a finger in the back of her shoe. The skin was rubbed raw.
Nicky swallowed. “We have to stop by Gianni’s Pizzeria on the way.”
“Seriously?” Selena looked at Nicky. “You want to stop at a restaurant? To grab a beer and a slice?”
“We don’t have time.” Rachel sped up when they reached the exit ramp. “It’s almost dark.”
“All the more reason to eat. It’s on the way,” Nicky said. “I’ll slip inside and grab some food. It will take two seconds. I’m starving and if I’m starving, then I’m a bad zombie killer, which means I’m useless to you all.”
“I’m hungry, too,” Lindsay said.
“If we pass it, then you can run inside really quickly. We should get supplies every chance we get,” Adam said. “As long as it’s not dangerous.”
Rachel didn’t say anything. Selena could tell she was irritated, but after Nicky had mentioned food, Selena’s stomach had started growling. She hadn’t eaten anything in over a day. Visions of pasta, bread and wine filled her head. She squeezed Adam’s hand. “Too bad we never made that date at Bellissimo’s.”
Adam’s mouth lifted in a lopsided grin. “You don’t know how bad I was looking forward to that date.”
“Well,” Nicky said. “You don’t know how bad I’m looking forward to a slice of Gianni’s pizza.”
“I work at Bellissimo’s,” Rachel said. “Well, I worked there. Guess I don’t anymore.” The group ran the length of the exit ramp to the street above the highway. “Which way?” Rachel asked.