“I think I’m going with Brian’s idea. He said he can bug California Governor Owen’s office. I think that is going to be our best bet.”
“Well how do you plan on pulling that off? I mean, they have got to have that place locked down.”
“Brian might have a better idea. Let’s call a meeting for tonight to discuss in more detail.”
And so we did. We sent the kids to the game room and gathered around the large dining room table. Brian and Bre, Zeke, Chang, Selena and Seth, and Chris were there without hesitation.
“First thing on the agenda, the hole in the fence. Does anyone know what we could do to make the property more secure? I haven’t liked the idea of not being able to go outside without climbing out of a window,” I started the meeting off.
“Chang has some ideas for the fence. He knows a guy that can fix it for just a few hundred dollars,” Bre stated.
“Ok, as long as it’s a better job than that welder did that we had come here. I’m all for jerry rigging it as long as it’s secure.” I paused with a sigh. I was trying to put off the real topic of conversation.
“Ok, so I really called you all here because we need to make a move. We need more information for the public. We need to stimulate the government into releasing the cure. Now the public is fully aware that there is a cure, we need them to hear or see firsthand that the government are the ones that are behind all of this. They need to see that it’s not just a conspiracy theory, that they really are keeping the cure from everyone. Brian had a really good idea and Mom would like to hear more about it.”
“Well,” Brian started, “I was thinking we could break into the Governor’s office and put a bug in there. Maybe we could get some great audio or even video to put on the site.”
“How exactly would we do that?” Mom asked.
“I know a guy who is great with disguises. He used to work for the theater and knows how to do costume and makeup. He can make us look a different race if we needed to. I know he would be happy to help us. Then we could make fake badges and pretend to be janitors. Once we catch him out of his office, I can stick the bug on his desk somewhere. The bug will automatically transfer through a feed to our computer. It won’t be that hard to do. The hardest part would be getting in there without getting caught.”
“I’m in!” Bre rang.
“You ain’t goin’ nowhere without me! I never miss the action!” Chang’s eyes lit up in anticipation. He would be good to have with us given his military background.
“Ok, so me, Chang and Brian will be going?”
“Um, and me,” Bre said with an edge of irritation in her voice.
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s a good idea babe,” Brian stated.
“Bre, listen. We need someone to stay here and help mom keep an eye on things around here. The fence is no good right now and we need someone to kill zombies if the need be. Mom could do it but we need someone that can help keep an eye on things. Chris and Zeke will be here but…” I was interrupted by Chris.
“Why can’t I go? I always have to stay here! I’m practically an adult. I’m almost 18 and I can take care of myself.”
“What exactly do you plan on doing, Chris?”
“I don’t know. I could be a lookout or something. I could let you know if someone is coming.”
“Absolutely not, Chris,” Mom demanded.
“I’m going. Nobody is going to stop me. I think I should be able to go if I want to.”
“Who is going to stay in the lookout?” I asked with an edge of hesitation in my voice.
“Seth and Selena can. They can handle the job.”
He paused with determination and then started again, “They can stay in the lookout and then Zeke can stay on the roof. Mom and Bre can stay with the kids. It will work out just fine.”
“Do you realize the kind of danger you will be putting yourself in? You could get killed if they find us.”
“Yes, and you can’t protect me forever.”
“I’ll stay. Let Chris go with you. I’m sure he will be able to help,” Bre retorted.
“Mom?”
“Yeah, let him go,” she resigned.
“Ok, Chris. You can go but you are going by MY rules. You will have to listen very carefully. It will be a matter of life or death.” I stated and then turned to the rest of the group and addressed them.
“First and foremost, the thing we are going to have to worry about would be getting attacked by zombies. Zombies are faster than ever now and they can jump and run. Once bitten it seems as though people are turning immediately so there is no incubation period. There will be no getting a cure to help. I hope that is not the case but there is no way to tell. We can only base our experience on what happened with Kyle a few weeks ago. If any of us get bitten then we need to be executed immediately.
“The second thing we need to worry about is getting caught trying to get into the building. If we can get in undetected then the third thing we will have to worry about is getting the bug in there and then getting out undetected. The last thing we are going to have to worry about is being followed home. If anyone follows us home then mom is dead meat. There will be no saving her or any of us. This operation needs to be taken very seriously. We need to have a detailed plan on how to get this done and stick to it. We have to be a solid team or we may not make it out alive.”
“We need to set a date and start making plans,” Brian spouted.
And so we did. We spent the next 48 hours making detailed plans. We watched the news to see what people were wearing at the government building in Los Angeles to get a good idea on what to order from Brian’s friend. Plans were falling into place. We just needed to make a visit to get our costumes and ID’s. We planned to leave within the next few days.
Brian’s friend was a whiz. He was able to get us clothes and badges that were authentic looking. I don’t know who the guy knew but I was so thankful to him. He was able to give us some makeup and instructions on changing our skin color and how to make our wigs stay put. This man was a lifesaver.
I was beyond excited for our newest adventure and I couldn’t sleep as usual. Chang gently rapped at my door. I let him in and we excitedly talked about our plans for the next few days.
He and I were the ones to stock the Suburban with all of the necessities that we would need for a few days including ammo and guns. He and I made a good team. When there was a chore ahead of us we did it and didn’t get in each other’s ways. Chang was an amazing friend and I loved having him around. He is like the yin to my yang.
CHAPTER 31
BREANNE
I woke up sick to my stomach. I almost couldn’t make it to the bathroom in time. All I could do was dry heave since there was nothing in my stomach.
“Babe, are you ok?”
“Yeah, just sick to my stomach. Must have caught a bug or something.”
“How can you catch something? You haven’t left the manor since the wedding.”
“I don’t know.”
I was in there about 30 minutes when Aunt Brooke came knocking at the door.
“Sweety, are you ok?”
“Yeah, just a little sick to my stomach.”
“Can you come out here and let me check you? I’m a nurse and I know how to spot a virus.”
“Would you come in here? I don’t want Brian to see me this way.”
I unlocked the door and Aunt Brooke didn’t hesitate to come in. She took one look at me and said, “Oh dear.”
“What? What’s wrong with me?”
“Well you haven’t been exposed to a virus so I’m thinking one of two things.”
“Which are?” I managed through heaving.
“Either you have food poisoning or you are pregnant. I don’t think it’s food poisoning since we all ate the same thing as you did. Have you noticed any sickness
in the mornings?”
“A little, but I figured it was nerves since Brian is leaving.”
“When was your monthly due?”
I took a moment to count and realized that I was over 2 weeks late. I felt the blood rush from my face at the same time as my heart stopping. I was pregnant. That had to be why I was sick.
“I can’t be pregnant. We have been safe. Him or I didn’t want to raise a baby in zombie country!”
“Honey, how late are you?”
“Two weeks, maybe more.”
“We need to get you a test. Did they get any from that stuff from the dollar store?”
“Yeah there were about 20 of them. They are in the garage. I marked on the sheet where they are.”
I grabbed her arm and pulled myself up. “Aunty, please don’t tell anyone until we know for sure. Not even Brian, please?”
She gave me her word and then headed down to the garage for a test. I didn’t want to be pregnant at this time but if it were so, I would keep the baby and raise it. It just wasn’t a good time for having babies and I knew it.
Aunt Brooke returned in less than 5 minutes with the test. She instructed me on how to use it and we stood there together waiting for the results.
“Two lines for pregnant, one for not. It should only take another minute or two,” she said with a concentrated look on her face. I took her in my arms and cried. I didn’t know what to make of all of this.
I peeked down at the test and saw what I dreaded the most, one very dark line and one faint pink line.
I was pregnant. Now what to do?
Aunt Brooke could feel me tremble in her arms as she drew her attention down to the test. She held it up to examine it and gave me a sheepish look.
“Honey, you’re pregnant.”
She smiled and then cried. I cried. We held each other and cried.
“How am I going to tell Brian? He is getting ready to leave and I know he won’t want to leave me behind now, but this operation is important. I don’t want him to stay back with me just because I’m pregnant.”
“Just be honest with him honey.” She gave me a good squeeze and exited the bathroom. I was all alone with my pregnancy test. As the minutes passed the line grew darker. I couldn’t stop staring at it. Our lives would forever be changed. I loved the thought of having Brian’s baby, but I dreaded telling him.
I summed up all of the courage I had left in me and walked into the bedroom. I put the test in the pocket of my robe to show Brian. I didn’t have to look far for him. He was sitting on the bed waiting for me. He jumped up and ran over to me and hugged me gently.
“Are you ok honey? Brooke wouldn’t tell me anything.”
I felt the pregnancy test between us and I suddenly realized he had too. He pulled away from me and reached down into my pocket and then pulled out the test.
He studied it for a long moment and then a huge smile broke out over his concerned face. He grabbed me up into one of those hugs that took my feet off of the ground and then spun me around.
“YOU’RE PREGNANT!!!” He didn’t attempt to hide his excitement.
“Yes!” I giggled as he put my feet back on the ground.
“I’m going to be a dad! You’re going to be a mom! We’re going to have a baby!”
I stood there studying his face. His eyes began to tear up as he pulled me into another bear hug.
“This is exciting! How are you feeling?”
“Nauseous.”
He giggled and then kissed me. That was a bad idea. I ran to the bathroom as quickly as my feet would allow me and locked myself back into the bathroom.
Zoe was screaming in my bedroom. I assumed she got the news. By the time I went back in there, everyone in the house was waiting for me. I heard them all say congratulations in unison. Happy faces stared at me and all I wanted to do was throw up.
CHAPTER 32
ZOE
I was sitting on the sofa lost in the news when Chang sat next to me and put his arm around me. “How are you doing?”
“Good.”
“So Bre’s pregnant?”
“Looks that way!”
“Cool.”
“I’m happy for her. I can’t wait to see the baby.”
“So do you think they will live here after they have the baby?”
“I don’t know.”
He hugged me a little tighter. “I brought you an ice cream bar.”
We sat there together and ate our ice cream bars. I stared blankly at the screen wishing that my cousin didn’t have to bring a baby home amidst the zombie apocalypse. She deserved better than that. They both did. I wanted nothing more than to see them happy and I was worried about what this would do to them. I was worried that something would happen to the baby. I was worried because I knew deep down Bre was worried. I prayed things turned out the way they had both hoped.
“You’re worried about something, aren’t you?”
“No, Chang. I am not.”
“You’re lying to me. I know you too well by now.”
“Well, I just hope everything turns out ok for them.”
“I know you do.”
I also worried about leaving tomorrow. I hoped we had covered every scenario. I hoped we didn’t leave anything out. I hoped we would be able to get mom everything she wanted and more. I hoped our efforts wouldn’t be wasted. I hoped that everyone came out unscathed. I hoped Chris would be a help and not a hindrance. I hoped he wouldn’t get hurt. I didn’t know what I would do with myself if something happened to him and it happened all because I let him go. I would never be able to forgive myself.
I wish I knew what had come over me. It wasn’t like me to be such a worry wart. I usually just did my task and overcame any fear that came my way. Chang was catching onto my mood. I wish I knew what it was about him that made him so in tune with me. Next to Bre, he was my best friend. I know I have a deep love for him since he understands me so well. How could I not love someone who has had my back all of those times and that knew to bring me an ice cream sandwich because I was suddenly full of uncertainty?
I don’t know what I did to deserve such good friends in my life. I really have it made here at the manor. I have my family here and some awesome friends. We were safe most of the time and didn’t need for anything. I have a great place to live and I get the chance to hunt flesh eaters and get paid to do it. I am able to help provide for my family. My cousin was having a baby and I would get to be there for them. I mean, who doesn’t love babies?
If it weren’t for those stupid zombies, my life would be perfect.
I sat there nestled in Chang’s arms and he said some very reassuring words. “It’s gonna be ok.”
I’m not quite sure why but I started to feel my eyes tear up. A little sniffle betrayed me and he looked down at my wet face. He pulled me tighter into him and gave me a squeeze. I cried until I fell asleep in his arms.
I woke about an hour later feeling much better than I had previously. There was new hope for me. Chang didn’t move an inch, he held me while I slept. He was an awesome friend. I can’t believe I fell asleep in his arms and that I’d allowed him to see me cry.
I could hear Chris and Seth talking crap about us in the background. They seem to think we were falling in love. They said they are naming this house Love Manor. They are so immature. They both need to get lives. I am not in love with Chang. I just love him, like a best friend.
“Shut up you idiots. I can hear you!” My loud voice startled Chang. He hadn’t realized I was awake yet.
“Hey! When did you wake up?”
There were snickers down the hall as Chris and Seth ran to the game room.
“Right now. Can you believe those idiots and their crap talk?”
“They don’t understand us.”
“Well, the nex
t one that talks crap is gonna get smashed in the face.”
“Hahahaha.”
I got up and went to the kitchen to make dinner since it was my turn. Chang was right behind me. We opened up what seemed like 50 cans of flaked chicken to make a chicken salad. It wasn’t hard to cook when you make everything straight out of a can.
“Hey don’t let those guys bug you. I don’t care what people think of our friendship.”
“I guess I shouldn’t either. I don’t know why that bugged me so much. Maybe because I already felt weak.”
I giggled a little because of the position I had been in. I felt silly for getting angry. At the same time it bothered me that it angered me so much. I don’t think it was just because I had just been crying. I would have to spend some time thinking about what was going on in my head.
I served dinner in the gazebo. I did it in honor of Bre’s news. I know she loves to eat in the gazebo. It was the least I could do. It was such a happy time and I wanted to make her happy. She deserved it.
CHAPTER 33
BREANNE
Dinner in the gazebo was nice. It had been a while since we got to do that. Chang and Zoe rigged the fence just so we could do that. We all had our guns out just in case the temporary hold didn’t work. I had hoped it would be good enough to hold until they got back from L.A.
There was an air of excitement around the manor. I was worried sick about being pregnant but everyone else was ecstatic. The guys were busy making plans to loot the baby shop when they got back. I was sitting there stunned. I couldn’t believe the events that had unfolded.
I was also worried about their next trek. In the morning the love of my life and father of my baby would be leaving on a dangerous mission. I even more so didn’t want them to go. But I knew we were doing a public service and the world would be better for it.
Dinner tonight was good but it wasn’t settling well in my stomach. Whoever said that morning sickness was just in the morning were liars. It seemed I was sick all day.
The timing for the pregnancy was not as planned but I was happy about it. I was completely shocked, but happy. I hated the thought of bringing a baby into the world right now but as Brian says, God knows what he is doing. So I must accept it and do whatever it takes to protect this precious being inside of me.