Chapter 15
Gus and Boggs had siphoned almost ten gallons of gasoline from the minivan in the ditch. I had been sent back to the Explorer to keep watch while they worked, but I knew it was the men showing mercy by getting me away from the scene of obvious death and carnage.
We all sat in the shelter of the SUV now, continuing on the highway. None of us recalled seeing anything significant in the way of buildings between the cabin and the town where we had watched the woman being attacked and eaten so many days ago. Going back there seemed like a poor choice, so we decided to take a turn-off we had ignored when first driving through.
The rain continued to come down heavily, and was beginning to look like it was mixed with snow. I fleetingly thought about how it would make a good tomato-soup-and-crackers day. Tomato soup turned to blood in my mind and my thoughts turned to the child from the minivan, and what had happened to him or her.
“There’s one close,” I said from the back seat, my voice lacking in feeling. I didn’t have the emotional strength to panic at the moment.
“Zoe? You sure?” asked Boggs.
“Ya, positive. It sees our car driving by. It’s running after us. God it wants to eat us…”
“I’d speed up,” said Gus to Boggs. “No point taking risks.”
“We can’t come back this way,” I said as Boggs pressed his foot down on the gas pedal.
“Talk to us, Zoe,” said Gus calmly but with tension in his voice.
“Oh God,” I moaned. “There’s so many of them.”
“Zoe?” Gus’ voice was stern now.
“Hundreds, Gus. There’s so many I can’t see right. Boggs, hurry…” I started crying softly. The intrusions inside my head were too much to bear. The desire for raw flesh and still-pumping blood, and the multiple images flashing one after another were making me nauseous. “They’re planning to set an ambush.”
“Zoe, where?” barked Gus. ‘Talk to me!”
“Behind us. We have to go, and fast! They’re growing in numbers, organizing, ambushing this stretch of the road.”
“Zoe do you see any ahead of us?” asked Gus, not skirting the issue at all.
“No. Just behind. They’re the same ones who attacked the minivan, and all the people from the wreck yesterday. They ripped them all apart.” Tears were falling down my cheeks now. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“Zoe, I can’t stop,” said Boggs. “Not till I know it’s safe.”
“Try to take some deep breaths, Zoe,” said Gus as he climbed over the center console to join me in the back seat.
“They were enraged,” I whispered as he sat down next to me. “Angry that they didn’t get us. They were so focused on eating the people from the van they missed us…” my voice broke off.
Gus tried to sooth me, holding me in his arms. “Ok, we’re getting farther away Zoe. Can you still feel them?”
I shook my head no. “No, they’re gone. Gus.” I looked him in the eyes to get his full attention. “They’re using one of us. A human. As bait. I saw it in their thoughts. They keep one of us alive and make them walk the road till someone driving by stops to help.”
“Shit,” said Boggs from the driver’s seat. “You sure Zoe?”
I sniffled, my nose starting to run from crying. “I’m positive. And the family from the minivan. They took them into the woods. God, they tore them apart while they were still alive.”
“Try not to think about it,” Gus tried to soothe me.
We drove for several miles in silence, Gus continuing to hold me. My ears popped as we descended in elevation. The rain was still falling, but not as heavily. I tried to focus on the many native plants as we passed them by, trying to keep my thoughts from returning to the bits and pieces of foreign images of horror that had flashed though my mind. I longed to be back in the cabin with Emilie, Louisa, and even Susan. I was growing tired, as I had noticed happens when the zombies fill my head, so leaned against Gus and closed my eyes. He held me as a father might hold a frightened child.
Gus shook me awake. I had fallen asleep against him.
“Zoe, wake up darlin’. We need to get out soon.”
The car was still in motion, but going slowly.
“Zo, hun, do you sense anything here?” asked Boggs from the front seat.
“Where are we?” I asked, slightly disoriented from sleep.
“We turned off the highway a few miles back. You’ve been asleep for about an hour. We saw a sign for a bed and breakfast coming up soon.”
“Why did you let me sleep? What if they came after us?” my voice was rising with concern.
“You have to sleep, Zo,” said Boggs. “Nothing bad happened, it’s ok.”
“Zoe, darlin’ do you feel anything here?” asked Gus trying to get my focus back on track.
“No. Nothing.”
“Good girl,” said Gus. “We should be coming across this place anytime. We’ll be more careful this time. Go in together. Stay together. Come out together,” said Gus.
I saw Boggs glance at us in the rear view mirror. “Zo, keep your revolver in hand. If you need to put it down, shove it in a pocket.”
I nodded, knowing he could see me in the mirror.
Boggs picked up speed a bit and after a couple of minutes we saw a sign off on the right marking the bed and breakfast.
“The Winthrop Inn, charming,” said Gus. “Let’s just hope we’re welcomed.”
Boggs pulled off the highway and brought the SUV to a slow creep, eventually parking in front of the bed and breakfast. The inn looked old. The outside was white-washed with dark blue trim. A short wrought iron fence surrounded the grounds and building except for the drive. I focused again, but sensed none of the living dead near.
“Look at the front door,” I said. “There’s a sign in the window.”
“Good eye, Zoe,” praised Gus.
Boggs turned the key to shut off the motor. We all got out and closed our car doors. Gus held the sawed-off shotgun off to one side, holding both arms out, and walked to the front door. “Hold your weapons out like I am, and follow me,” he called back to me and Boggs. “It’ll show we’re not hostile.”
Boggs and I did as instructed. The rain had stopped falling, but the wind was picking up again. The sky was dark gray and held the promise of more precipitation to come.
Once we had all gathered on the modest sized porch, Gus blindly handed his gun to Boggs. I noticed he kept his eyes on the door and whatever might wait within. “I’m going to knock,” he whispered. “Whatever happens try to keep your cool.”
This was perhaps the first time since meeting him that I noticed that Gus seemed genuinely nervous. He knocked on the door. No one answered. I stepped forward, situating myself beside Gus. I pointed to the sign that was taped inside the door.
Closed for the Season, please come again.
“Maybe there’s no one here?” I whispered.
Boggs stepped up behind me. “Let us go in first, Zo.”
I tried the knob, ignoring Boggs. It was locked, of course. Gus motioned me back. Boggs took me by the arm and encouraged me to stand back with him. Gus raised the butt of the shotgun and used it to knock out one of the small panes of glass near the door knob. The glass shattering broke the intense silence that had built around us, causing my heart to speed. The silence returned, and time seemed to slow. Rain began to fall again, breaking the stillness. Gus used his elbow to knock out the remaining shards of glass and then reached in to unlock the door.
“I’m not staying out here alone,” I whispered as Gus turned the knob and pushed the heavy front door inward.
“Ok,” whispered Boggs back to me. “Stay alert, and stay near me.”
We walked into the foyer of the house.
The floors were a dark hardwood with intricate area rugs placed strategically. A small podium held a guest book. I noted that the last entry had been about three weeks prior. A Dr. and Mrs. Duffey. Victorian style furniture adorned the room with book cases taking up the entire far wall. The large front window had burgundy curtains gathered on either side with sheer white panels covering the panes of glass. A large stone hearth took up the far corner of the room. We stood there for several moments acclimating to the lack of lighting and listening for anything that might signal danger. Gus signaled for us to follow him. He walked to a large arched opening to the kitchen and Boggs and I followed him through. The counter tops were dark granite with quaint baskets spread about. The theme seemed to be “country” with a chicken and cow motif. It was strikingly different than the foyer. Hues of green and yellow made the large room feel bright and energetic. An old fashioned distressed kitchen table was meant to seat a crowd of ten by the chair count. Pleasantly there were no signs of people, living or dead.
We left the kitchen and climbed a narrow staircase to inspect the upper floor. One of the treads squeaked when Gus stepped on it. We all stopped and listened. We heard nothing but the rain falling against the building. Gus motioned for us to continue, which we did. The second floor boasted the bedrooms and two bathrooms, likely shared by all guests. We searched them all quickly to make sure no dangers were about. The bedrooms each had their own theme, and I wished that Emilie could see how beautiful they were.
“Ok kids, let’s pack up what we can and get back on the road,” said Gus quietly.
“This place gives me the creeps,” said Boggs.
“Not me. I wish we could stay,” I whispered.
“No, Zoe, we need to get back to the others,” said Gus.
“I know,” I said.
“Let’s start loading the Explorer up,” said Boggs.
We set to work stripping the guest room beds of blankets and searching for any other winter items that may come in handy. I found a small box of emergency supplies in the foyer closet: flashlights, candles, solar blankets, and a small bottle of bleach. I carried it to the front door where the blankets had been piled. We had decided to set everything aside and carry it all out once we were ready to leave. Pillaging the kitchen took the longest. We found flats of canned goods in the pantry and set them all out on the large dining table. One of the kitchen drawers had several large, sharp knives which were set alongside the canned food. Boggs found bags of dried goods on a top pantry shelf, all unopened. We now had several bags of rice, beans, and pasta to take home to the cabin. Gus took the large container of salt that was in the back of a cabinet, along with the salt and pepper shakers located near the stove. He explained that salt would be key in preservation of food later on. While I knew it was a luxury, I helped myself to a handful of books from the library in the foyer. Among them was a guide to native vegetation, a dictionary, a newer cookbook with old fashioned recipes, and several works of fiction.
Our pile of goods by the front door had grown, so we decided to pack it into the SUV before the sky darkened further. We were all anxious to get home to the rest of our little family. We reviewed the plan for carrying things out to the car. I would go out without carrying anything and open the hatch on the back of the vehicle, and Boggs and Gus would be directly behind me with their arms full of items to pack into the SUV. We would leave the rear open and return for another load, this time all of us carrying what we could. Once the rig was full, we’d shut the hatch and return to the inn to study the map we now kept in the glove box, looking for an alternate route back to the cabin.
The work went by quickly, and without untoward events. The Explorer was full, leaving only room for the three of us to sit. The day was coming to a close and outside the rain continued to fall steadily. The three of us went inside, shutting the door behind us. The weather was intruding through the hole in the front door that had resulted from our breaking in. I used a small toss pillow from the plush sofa in the foyer, and shoved it into the hole. It wasn’t a perfect fix but would help. We decided to sit in the entry room with Victorian style furniture to study the map. It would also allow us to keep an eye out front.
Gus spread the map on the floor and we all sat around it. I watched while the two men mapped out the best route, knowing map reading was not my specialty by any stretch of the imagination. They discovered a series of turn-offs that led back to Lake Arrow, and a winding stretch of road that hugged the lake on the side opposite the cabin. The only catch would be a half mile hike to the cabin, but it was unavoidable. The only alternative was to drive back through the group of dead who were ambushing the living on the roadway. Since the ambush clearly stretched both sides of the highway that reached the cabin, as evidenced from the minivan and the crash site closer to the general store, we were all in agreement that we’d need to return home partly on foot. Remaining at the cabin long term would be a subject we’d discuss later. The hope was that the zombies would move on in search of food once travelers on the highway became more and more infrequent. From the images and thoughts I had glimpsed so far, I didn’t think they were aware of our presence at the cabin.
Gus impressively folded the map back into a rectangle. He looked up at both of us. “I hate to say it, but I think we need to hunker down here tonight. It’s getting late and I don’t want to be on the road after dark. Especially when it comes to walking to the cabin once we run out of road.”
Boggs sighed. “I was thinking the same thing. Should we drive the explorer around back?”
I nodded. “I think so. They watch for changes. If they see the SUV and it wasn’t here before I think they’ll attack.”
Gus looked deep in thought. “Zoe, do you know how else they find people?”
“Sound. Smell. They can smell blood. It’s just fleeting feelings I pick up on, though. They watch for movement, too. Changes.”
Gus nodded. “Ok. Let’s move the Explorer around back and stay put for tonight.”
“We should camp out in one of the upstairs rooms,” suggested Boggs. “Zoe, I’ll go out with Gus and move the car. We’ll bring a couple candles back with us. Go ahead upstairs.”
“Ok,” I said. “Hurry though? I get the impression they like to hunt at night.”
“Great,” mumbled Gus.
I watched Boggs and Gus walk out through the front door. I watched while they started the car and drove it around to the back of the building. I wasn’t sure if the paved drive extended all the way around but figured they’d do what it took to conceal the vehicle. My breath caught in my chest when I noticed a figure walking up the highway. I knew it was human by the way it walked and the lack of intruding thoughts or images in my mind. It was an old man. He was hunched over and looked like he was in pain. He held his hip as he walked, as an arthritic man might. He was soaked from the rain and as he came closer I could see that his hands were bloodied. His pants were tattered and his shirt was torn in several places. My heart ached for him and while I wanted to open the door and call out to him, instinct told me to stay out of sight and remain quiet. I was sure that this man was sent out as bait and that close behind would be creatures that belonged in Hell. I hoped beyond all hope that Gus and Boggs had seen the man and were thinking as I was, and hiding until danger passed. The old man turned and looked at the door to the Inn when he passed. His eyes met mine through the glass panes of the door, but he continued walking. The look upon his face was pleading, and warning at the same time. I could tell he was tired and weary. As he turned away from me, a second figure flitted in and out of the tree line in the distance. My mind was filled with unearthly desires to kill and consume. I knew I was linked to only one of the creatures. I knew its job was to follow the old man and let the others know if anything took the bait. The lone zombie was so incredib
ly hungry. Memories filled my head in snippets, images of biting the old man to keep him compliant and to stave off the unending hunger. He was not only their bait, but also their living snack. The creature following him was also responsible for keeping the dumb zombies from killing the old man. It was at that moment that I realized there were two very different kinds of creatures out there, explaining why the ambush at the cabin had involved the slow zombie out front and the faster ones that had planned the attack. I knew the old man and his undead keeper would soon be joined by the others. I quietly removed the toss pillow from the opening in the front door and raised my revolver. I pulled the hammer back and steadied myself, now knowing how much power would be in the kick of the gun. I aimed at the single walking dead, and shot it in the head. As it fell, I watched the old man. He turned toward me, and looked at me with pleading eyes. He fell to his knees, raised his gnawed-on hands to a praying position, and closed his eyes. He hung his head. I raised the revolver again, pulled the hammer, and squeezed the trigger. I fell to my knees in the entry way, not caring to see the old man lying dead in the street.
I heard glass shatter in the rear of the inn. There were no more foreign thoughts in my head, so I knew it must be Boggs and Gus entering from the back door that was off the kitchen.
“Zoe!” yelled Boggs. “Zoe!”
I had eventually sat on my butt and was hugging my knees, my eyes clenched shut. I felt Boggs lift me to my feet. He held me to him.
“What happened?” he asked, alarm prevalent in his voice.
“We have to get upstairs. There’s more on their way,” I moaned.
“Boggs, go ahead and take her up. I’ll grab the supplies I set down and be right behind you.” Gus had rushed in with Boggs in response to the gunfire.
“Zoe, come on. Let’s go upstairs,” said Boggs.
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” I whispered. “Gus, hurry.”
“I’ll be right behind you guys. I just set things in the kitchen. I don’t need to go back outside.”
Boggs and I hustled up the stairs while Gus risked going back to the kitchen for the supplies that he had brought in from the car. We reached the landing at the top of the steps when I sensed more of the creatures.
“Oh God, Boggs, they’re close,” I whispered as quietly as I could. “Gus…”
“I’m here, darlin’,” he said. “Get into the far room. Quick.”
I did as instructed, treading lightly but quickly. The desire for human flesh grew within my mind as Boggs and Gus entered the bedroom behind me, closing the door softly. Without speaking, I watched them work as a team. They lifted a large solid wood dresser and carried it to the bedroom door, where they set it down as quietly as possible. The room was carpeted, which helped buffer the noise.
“They know,” I said. The men looked at me quizzically.
“They we’re here?” whispered Boggs.
I shook my head no. “That I killed them.” I could see the fallen zombie and the old man laying dead on the road, through the eyes of the creatures that now searched for us.
Gus held his finger to his lips, urging me to be quiet. We could hear the moans of the dead out front. One of them screamed, sounding enraged. I knew it was indeed just that, furious to find one of its own killed, and furious that its human pet was lost. I could sense confusion amongst the group. The three of us stood huddled together. I was afraid to even breathe too loudly. The creatures were looking around now. I could see through their eyes still, a blur of too many images. Pictures of the Inn, the grounds, the woods, the highway, and flashes of their recent kills. I wanted to scream in anger. I felt the arms of my companions encircle me, and realized I was trembling. I could tell by his smell that I was facing Gus, who was pressing the side of my face gently into his chest. I could hear Boggs ‘shushing’ into my ear very softly.
The next sense in my head was of one of the creatures sniffing at the air. It wasn’t an image so much as the smell of the air outside, which included the foul stench of death. Thunder sounded again as a new storm rolled in. They were fearful of it. How beasts capable of killing and ripping apart living creatures with their bare hands could be afraid of thunder was beyond me. Their thoughts, memories, and horrifying desires began to fade from my mind. All but one fled into the surrounding woods, and from its thoughts I knew it would be nearby, waiting. The creature climbed in elevation, its signature inside my head fading to a dim ember. If I tried, I could tell myself it was gone. I knew, though, that it was left behind to watch the area. To watch for us.
I slowed my breathing, and challenged my body to relax. I was exhausted, and needed to get off my feet. The room had darkened both from the storm brewing and from the passing of time. I lifted my head from Gus’ chest and looked up at him. “They’ve all gone, except for one,” I whispered.
He nodded in acknowledgement.
I twisted around to look at Boggs. “We have to be quiet. It’s waiting for us to come out, to slip up somehow.”
Boggs looked at Gus. “No lights.”
Gus nodded once.
“Should I close the curtain?” asked Boggs quietly.
“No,” I said quickly. “Stay away from the window. It’s watching.”
“Let’s settle in,” whispered Gus.
The three of us walked together to the bed, careful to stay well away from the window.
“You’re shivering, Zo,” whispered Boggs.
“There were extra blankets in the bottom dresser drawer when I looked earlier,” I said, careful to keep my voice down. “We should lie down and try to get warm.”
“You guys lay down. I’ll grab a blanket,” offered Gus.
Boggs sat on the bed and scooted over toward the far side. I climbed in and we lay down together. Gus had opened the dresser drawer quietly. He removed a thin blanket that was kept inside, likely as a spare for guests on chilly nights. I noticed he left the drawer open, not wanting to risk any extra noise. The cowboy walked to the bed and started to cover us with the blanket. I scooted over farther. “Gus, lay down with us. We need to stay warm.”
He nodded, but looked uncomfortable. After pondering it, he sat on the bed and lay on his back. “Cover up,” I whispered. “It’s getting cold.”
Boggs turned onto his side to face me, and then spoke just loudly enough for me and Gus to both hear. “Zoe, what happened? We heard two shots.”
“I’m not sure I can talk about it yet, Boggs,” I said with a sigh. Reluctantly, I tried to explain. “There was an old man. He was being shadowed by one of the monsters. I knew there was only one of the creatures, but more were coming soon. I shot the zombie, and then the old man looked at me. He pleaded.” I could feel a tear running down my cheek. “They were eating on him while he was alive, forcing him to be a living snack, and using him to coax other people out of hiding. He was in so much pain. I could see it in his eyes.”
“Fuck,” said Gus. “Zoe, you did the right thing.” Gus understood what I had done without me having to say it. I was glad, because I don’t think I could have found the words.
“Their hunger, it never ends. They’re searching for food, but they also need another person to use as bait now. Promise me you won’t let them do that to me?”
“Shhhh, Zo, don’t talk like that,” said Boggs. “That’s not going to happen.’
“Just promise me,” I replied.
I felt Gus take hold of my hand under the blanket. He squeezed, which I took as his promise to me. I knew if the time came, Boggs wouldn’t be able to pull the trigger to end it for me, but I knew Gus would. I squeezed back.