"Jenna, you have to keep your voice down," Dad said.
Halle sniffed. "It's okay, Jenna. We'll just go to Red Hill. It's the safest place, remember? Mom said so."
I wiped my nose, looking to Dad. "We've got to get to your Tahoe. We can be there by this afternoon."
Dad shook his head. "Jenna, the interstate is blocked. You heard what that guy said."
I lowered my chin. "Mom made it here somehow. She knew she could get to Red Hill from here. We've got to leave now. She'll be worried sick if we wait too long."
"Jenna--" Dad began.
"I'm going!" I said. "I need her. I want to be with her"--tears streamed down my face--"for however long that might be. And if you won't go with me, I'll go by myself."
"No!" Halle threw her arms around me.
Tavia blinked and then looked to Dad. "What is Red Hill?"
Dad sighed. "It's a ranch, northwest of here and across the state line." He sighed. "I've never been there, Jenna. I don't know exactly where it's at."
"I do!" Halle took a breath and began to sing.
West on Highway 11
On our way to heaven
North on Highway 123.
123? 123!
Cross the border.
That's an order!
Left at the white tower.
So Mom can clean the doctor's shower.
Left at the cemetery.
Creepy...and scary!
First right!
That's right!
Red! Hill! Roooooooad!
Tavia smirked and put her hands on her hips. "Who knew? I've been traveling with Beyonce all this time."
Halle beamed. It was the first time I'd seen her smile since Mom had dropped her off at school the morning before. That seemed like an entire lifetime ago.
"We know the way," I said to Dad. "You just have to drive us. It's secluded and stocked. Mom always said it would be the best place to go, and she's there."
He shook his head. "It's a long way, honey. We should wait here until things calm down."
I held up my hands and then let them fall to my thighs. "Dead people are walking around outside. We don't have time. She's waiting on us!"
"Okay!" Dad said. "Okay, just let me think."
"While you think," Tavia said, "we girls had better take advantage of a working bathroom. Let me take Tobin first."
Halle and I agreed, and then when they emerged, I led Halle in by the hand. In the dim room, she hummed from the toilet, and then she washed her hands as I sat down. I didn't realize until that moment just how much I'd needed to go.
"We have to be more careful," I said. "Don't want to get bladder infections."
"What do you mean?" Halle said.
"It's not good to hold it for so long," I said, walking over to the sink.
"Why would we need to hold it?"
"In case we don't get to the ranch today. If we have to take back roads and it takes a little longer, then we need to think about these things. We can't just go to the doctor, like we've done before."
Halle pretended to understand, but I knew she had no idea what was really going on. To her, it was scary, but she was on autopilot, just doing what she was told. At some point, it would finally set in that things would be different for a long time.
When we came out of the bathroom, Tobin was pushing his train on the floor.
"He's so good," I said.
Tavia crossed her arms, looking proud. "He always has been. Hardly cried as a baby. Everyone told me that he'd be a nightmare of a toddler, but you can see, he's my angel."
A shadow darkened the very spot where he played. A low moan mixed with a gurgling noise made us all freeze.
"Choo-choo!" Tobin said, shoving his train across the carpet.
His voice was soft, but the moaning grew louder. Tavia scooped him up off the floor and backed against the wall, motioning for him to be quiet. Together, Halle, Dad, and I slowly backed away from the window and went into the kitchen, joining Tavia and her son.
"Jenna, keep an eye on that window. Tavia, stay with Halle. I'm going to get supplies," Dad said.
"I'm going with you," I said. "I know what we need."
Dad frowned in confusion.
"Bottles of water, a can opener, flashlights, batteries, candles, socks. Mom and I watched those shows all the time. Let me help you."
"Watch the window," he commanded Tavia. He pointed to me and then the kitchen cabinets.
I went straight to the front closet and grabbed one of Dad's hunting backpacks, unzipped it, and then went into the kitchen, opening the silverware drawer. I packed three forks, two knives, and the can opener. Then, I opened the junk drawer and fished out the box of matches, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, a mini LED flashlight, two candlesticks, and a package of batteries. From the cabinets I tossed in a package of beef jerky, some ramen noodles, sandwich bags, and ten cans of soup. I grimaced. They weighed down my pack quite a bit.
The bathroom was next, but my backpack was filling up fast. I grabbed the first-aid kit, rubbing alcohol, all the Tylenol and ibuprofen I could find, three washrags, insect repellent, two rolls of toilet paper, and sunscreen. I tried to find a small mirror but no such luck.
In the utility room, I opened the top cabinets where Dad kept all his hunting and camping gear. "Halle!" I called just above a whisper.
She crept in, looking up at me through her glasses. Her hair was still matted to her head.
"Empty your backpack."
"What? Why?" she said, already whining.
"Because we're going to need things to survive and not your nail polish. Empty it. Hurry."
"But we're going to Red Hill. We don't need a tarp."
"Halle!" I hissed.
She sighed as she let the straps fall off her shoulders, and then she pulled on the pink zipper. She turned it upside down, and a variety of useless junk fell to the floor.
I threw in a tightly rolled-up tarp, another flashlight, a canteen, a compass, and a full roll of duct tape.
"I can't find one of my backpacks or my 9mm," Dad said. He'd changed into one of his navy blue Anderson Fire Department Tshirts with matching cargo pants, and his standard-issue navy fleece pullover was tied around his waist. He still had on his heavy black boots laced up to the top. "They're gone, and so is the ammo."
My eyes brightened. "She took them."
Dad wasn't happy, but he didn't dwell on it for long.
"Do you have a leather jacket?" I asked.
"No. Why?" he asked.
I shrugged. "Zombies will bite right through that thing," I said, pointing to his pullover. "What else did you get?"
After he processed my words with an unsettled expression, he held up a long nylon bag, zipped closed. "My hunting rifle and plenty of ammo." He pointed to the rolled-up nylon on top of his pack. "The tent--just in case," he said to Halle. He tossed her a heavier coat. "I've got my good hunting knife and a multi-tool, and we still have those blankets from the armory."
"Halle, go get a few more bottles of water," I said. "Don't make your pack too heavy."
"I know." She turned on her heels.
I pushed air through my lips, and my cheeks bulged out. Her backpack already appeared to be weighing her down. She would be complaining about carrying it before too long.
I walked into Dad's bedroom and looked around before going into his closet. I took three sweatshirts, tying one around my waist, and three ball caps.
"No extra clothes?" he asked.
"We don't have the room." I looked at his nightstand and then back at him. Looking back at his nightstand, I lunged for it and pulled it open.
"What are you doing?" He tugged me back, like I knew he would.
But it was too late. The drawer was open, and there was an open box of condoms.
I snatched it up. "Bingo," I said, tossing it to him.
His eyes flitted everywhere but on me. He was clearly embarrassed and thoroughly confused.
"I got it from the survival show
I watch with Mom. They have lots of uses. I'm not thinking ahead for you or anything. Gross." I looked back down to the open drawer and picked up a small sewing kit. "We might need this, too."
"Do we have everything?" he asked.
"No, but we don't have room for everything."
"Good job, kiddo."
I managed a smug grin. I'd been angry with him for so long that it felt weird to be nice.
Dad patted my shoulder. "We should get going if we're going to make it to Red Hill before dark. We don't know what's between here and there."
I followed him to the kitchen where Tavia stood, looking a bit more relaxed.
"All clear?" Dad asked.
"He walked on by." She swallowed. "I think it was the governor."
Dad rubbed the back of his neck. "Is there anything you need for Tobin before we go?"
"A couple of changes of clothes for both of us would be nice. Other than a few toys, child meds, a sippy cup, some wipes, and a bottle of lotion, he doesn't need much." She lifted him higher on her hip. "And I'd sure like to check to see if my brother made it to my house."
"Your brother?" Dad asked.
"He was on his way here. I thought he either didn't make it this far or he got caught on the highway, but if Scarlet made it here, that gives me hope that Tobin did, too." When Dad gave her a look, she continued, "My son is named after my brother. He always made sure we were taken care of."
Dad bobbed his head once in understanding and then took in a deep breath. "All right. We'll walk back toward the armory. Stay together, keep your eyes out, and get to the Tahoe. We'll drive to Tavia's and grab their supplies, and then we'll head west."
"To Red Hill ranch," I said. "To Mom."
"Yes," Dad said, glancing at the paint on the wall. "I hope it's everything you say it is."
"It is," I said with confidence. "We just have to get there. The rest is easy."
Dad made a face. "You don't remember what it's like--your mom and I living under the same roof."
I rolled my eyes. "Things are different now. I don't think you're going to be spending too much time fighting about how much money she spent at Walmart."
Dad chuckled as he opened the back door, but then his smile faded. After a quick glance around, he waved at us to follow.
THE WALK TO THE ARMORY wasn't a straight shot. A few stragglers were left behind, shuffling slowly in the park. Dad guided us around them, and before I could even break a sweat, we were at his SUV.
The armory was still surrounded by vehicles. I wondered how many of those things walking aimlessly in the yard had never made it to their cars.
"Don't slam the door," I instructed Halle as I lifted her to the front passenger seat.
Her eyes were red and puffy, her golden hair matted to her head. I pondered if I looked as lost and terrified as she did.
Tavia climbed into the bench seat in the back with one arm, holding Tobin in the other. She settled him beside her, distracting him with his train long enough to stretch the lap belt across his waist. She patted his knee with that motherly it's-going-to-be-okay smile, and it made me miss Mom even more.
I climbed in after Tavia, sitting behind Halle in the captain's chair.
"Mama," Tobin said.
"Yes, baby?"
"I want cereal."
She nodded. "We're going home. I'll get you some while we're there." She smiled at him, but when she looked away, worry scrolled across her face. After today, she wasn't going to be able to provide him with food every time he asked for it.
"Can I take some of my toys?" he asked.
"Yes, but just a few. We'll have a lot more things you'll have to help Mama carry."
"Yes, Mama."
She kissed his forehead. "Good boy." She blinked her eyes and then looked up, trying to keep the tears from spilling over.
"Don't worry," I said. She looked to me. "You know what to do to keep him safe. Remember what you did at the armory. That was pretty brave."
Tavia's sweet smile peeked out from the corners of her mouth. "You think so?"
"What street do you live on?" Dad asked.
"Padon," Tavia said. "Behind the grocery store and across the street from the church."
"Got it," Dad said, continuing south. "That's right next door to Scarlet's grandparents' house."
"Richard and Helen are Scarlet's grandparents?" Tavia asked, surprised.
"Helen's my mema," Halle said, her cheery voice a strange contrast to the disturbing scene outside the SUV.
Tavia shook her head. "Small, small world."
"Even smaller now," I said, staring out the window.
It was a beautiful Saturday, but no kids were playing outside. Instead, there were monsters that weren't supposed to exist, bodies lying in the street, and the occasional crack of gunfire.
"Andrew?" Tavia said. "What if my brother is there? He's a big guy."
"Halle can sit behind me. He'll fit just fine in the passenger seat. There's plenty of room."
"Even with Richard and Helen?" she asked.
"We'll make it work," Dad said.
Tavia settled back into the seat and hummed a small laugh, resting her elbow on the door and her forehead in her hand. I'd never seen someone so full of relief.
Dad turned south onto Main Street, but he soon had to retreat to a side road because of the huge group of infected roaming in the street. A high-pitched ringing sound came from one of the businesses, but I couldn't figure out which one.
"It's weird how they're all on Main Street," I said.
"It's the security alarm at Gose Jewelers. They're attracted to sound." Dad slowed at the intersection, and even though the light was red, he didn't stop.
"No one else is on the road, Dad. Why are you slowing down?" I asked.
"Because you never know." His dad voice was making its debut for the day. "The first time I blow through an intersection, what will happen?"
Halle and I spoke in unison, both bored of the lesson already, "We'll get in a wreck."
"I see it all the time," Dad said as I mouthed his words at the exact same time.
Tavia snorted.
"What's so funny?" Dad asked.
"Nothing," Tavia answered, trying to keep from smiling.
Dad pulled to the side of the road and parked, leaving the SUV running. "Tavia," he warned, "try to keep your voice down."
"What?" Tavia said, looking up.
When she saw what Dad saw, she immediately covered Tobin's eyes. A man the size of an NFL player was lying in Tavia's front yard, his arms and legs sprawled out.
Tavia sucked in a few gasps of air and then looked down at Tobin with a firm look on her face. "Son, do not, under any circumstances, look out this window," she said, pointing to the glass. "Do you hear me?"
Tobin quickly bobbed his head.
She cupped his cheeks and kissed his forehead. "Good boy."
She pulled the handle and hopped out, and I followed her, again closing the door quietly. I froze when I saw two people standing over a lifeless body lying in the yard, holding hands.
"Mema!" I said, running to her.
She opened her arms. "Jenna!" She turned me away from the body. "Don't look, honey."
Mema was stick-thin, but she always gave the best hugs. She would hold me like she meant it, and she was never in a hurry to let go.
"Andrew!" Papa said when Dad stepped out of the Tahoe. "You've got both girls?"
"I do," Dad said.
"Have you seen Scarlet?" Mema asked, fussing with her short permed hair.
Dad slowly shook his head. "But she's okay." He looked over his shoulder, watching Tavia slowly approach.
She threw her arms out and let them slap her sides. She fell to her knees beside her brother with a lost look in her eyes. I had never witnessed that kind of devastation in a person--the kind that made me want to help, but I knew nothing would.
Tobin's clothes were full of holes, and he'd been shot a few times in the face. It was strange how the bullet
s had gone into his body smoothly and made such a mess on their way out. The front of Tavia's home was also pockmarked.
"Look away, Jenna," Dad said. "Tavia, I'm sorry."
Bent over her brother's body, she sobbed.
"But we have to go." He looked to my grandparents. "Get your things together. We're meeting Scarlet. We'll make room."
Papa put his arm around Mema. "Tell her we love her. We're staying put."
"Mema?" I said, looking up at her.
She squeezed me tight. "We're going to stay here at the house, sis."
Dad kneeled next to Tavia and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Tavia?"
"We can't just leave him here," she said, shrugging away from Dad's touch.
"We'll bury him," Papa said. "You have my word."
"Tobin," she cried, touching her cheek to his. "I'm sorry I wasn't here."
"Tavia, I hate to rush you, but we have to get going," Dad said.
She wiped her wet cheeks. Dad helped her to stand, and she took one more look at her brother before going inside her house.
Papa crossed his arms over his chest. "Poor guy. He never had a chance. See his ankle? Must have blown it out somehow on his way here. It's the size of a cantaloupe. Were you at the armory?"
"Yes. Were you?" Dad asked.
Papa shook his head. "Nope. No, those soldier wannabes picked us up. We didn't want to go, but the men said the governor ordered it. We were on our way when someone radioed that the armory was overrun. They let us out about four blocks from here. We walked the rest of the way. Wasn't easy though. We're not as spry as we used to be."
"It was overrun," I said. "It was awful."
Mema walked me back to the Tahoe and opened the passenger door to hug Halle. She had tears in her eyes.
"Give your mama kisses for me."
"What about Grandma?" I asked, meaning Mom's mom. "Have you heard from her?"
"Not yet," she said, her lip trembling. "Take care of each other."
She hugged us both, and I climbed into the backseat with Tobin.
The boy was kicking his feet back and forth, keeping his chin nearly to his chest, minding his mother exactly the way she'd asked.
"You okay, Tobin?"
"Yes." His eyes strained to look up at me. "It's my Uncle T, ain't it? Is he out there? I heard Mama crying."
I pressed my lips together. "Just...don't look outside. Your mom will be back soon."
"With cereal," he said, looking at his feet again.
Dad and Tavia entered the SUV a few moments later. Dad was holding a duffel bag, and Tavia had three plastic sacks and a bowl with a spoon.
"I just put a spot of milk in there, so it doesn't spill. We have to get on the road," she said. The whites of her eyes were red, the skin around them sagging, but she was trying to stay strong in front of her son. "Keep looking down until I say."