Journal of the Undead (Book 1): Littleville Uprising (33 page)

“Emma, I brought you a pair of clean pajamas,” Kate said smoothly, thankful that she’d had the foresight to bring them. “I was going to start a load of laundry. Why don’t you and Matt give me your bags and I’ll throw your clothes in too.”

The twins had been doing their own laundry since they were ten so they immediately declined Kate’s offer.

“The two of you are going to need to learn how to follow orders … and fast. Don’t think Doc and Ray will put up with an argument every time you’re told to do something. Now, let’s try that again. Please give me your clothes so that I can start some laundry.”

This time Emma and Matt immediately did as Kate asked.

“Honest, Kate, Emma and I weren’t trying to be disrespectful,” Matt explained. “It’s just that you’ve done so much for us already. We didn’t want to take advantage of your good nature. Ray said we all have to pull our own weight.”

Kate smiled and gave the twins a hug. After thanking them, she wished them sweet dreams. Making an exaggerated show of checking her watch, Kate looked at her nieces and nephew. Immediately, they rose and filed out of Emma’s room, followed by Matt. Evan gave Emma a quick kiss goodnight and assured her he was just down the hall if she needed anything. For good measure, Evan pecked his mother’s cheek and said goodnight. Emma thanked Kate again, not just for the pajamas but for everything.

As Emma climbed into bed she hoped she’d wake in time for breakfast.

***

The cabin was quiet. Everyone had gone to bed except for Ray and Doc, who were keeping the night watch. Ray knew that in a few hours Doc would be snoring away, but for now he made for good company.

“So, what do you make of those twins?” Ray asked, knowing as long as there was conversation Doc would stay awake.

Surprisingly, Doc remained noncommittal when usually he had an opinion on everything. Doc planned to wait and see. Frank had told him Emma was exceptionally bright for her age and dead set on going to medical school, but Rachael’s remark about Evan falling for a cheerleader was nagging at him. Emma didn’t seem like the cheerleader type but he didn’t want to waste time with a silly, squeamish little girl.

“Well, Doc, if you want to see if she’s the squeamish type I’ve got just the test. Jimmy’s boys and I are heading out just before dawn to hunt. If we can bag a couple of deer, have her gut them. Either she can do it or she can’t; either way you’ll have your answer. You won’t have to waste your time if she’s not up to par.”

Doc seemed pleased with Ray’s suggestion. If Emma was pre-med, she would take labs and dissection was part of the curriculum.
Yes, that should work,
Doc thought as his heavy eyelids drooped lower.

Ray poured himself another cup of coffee and checked the surveillance monitors. He still had several hours until daybreak but he didn’t mind. His mind was currently engaged in planning suitable punishments for R.J.

Bev coddles that boy too much
, Ray thought angrily, but he was going to put an end to that. This was no time for childishness and R.J. would have to learn the hard way. Ray compiled a long list of chores and an even longer list of revoked privileges to drive his point home. Tapping Doc’s shoulder, Ray suggested he’d sleep better in bed. As usual, Doc insisted he hadn’t been sleeping, merely resting his eyes. Despite his protests, Doc relented and shuffled off to bed.

November

Emma woke with a start but the room was so dark she couldn’t tell if her eyes were open or closed. Shaking the cobwebs from her mind, Emma fumbled for the lamp on the nightstand.

“We’re safe. We made it to the cabin,” she reminded herself. “Today is …”

She thought long and hard, eventually realizing that it was November first. They’d missed Halloween but the nightmare outside was ongoing. Hoping she hadn’t missed breakfast, Emma jumped out of bed. She made a mental note to thank Kate for the freshly-washed clothes that lay folded on top of the dresser. Gathering some clothes and a towel, she crept down the hall to the bathroom.

The large, dorm-style bathroom was empty. Still somewhat intimidated by sharing a bathroom with so many women, Emma showered and dressed quickly. As she tiptoed to the kitchen, there was still no sign of life in the corridors. She expected to find everyone in the dining room eating, but it was empty and dark. Unnerved, she peeked in the food prep area. Kate and Rose were chattering happily as they cooked.

“Emma? Is everything okay? Why are you up so early?” Kate asked.

Laughing, she joked that she’d been afraid she would sleep through breakfast. She didn’t want to admit that the constant nightmares made sleep unappealing.

“Go back to bed, sweetie. I’ll send someone to wake you.”

With a sigh, Emma left the kitchen. As she cut through the dining room, she noticed Jimmy sitting in the dark with a mug of coffee cradled in his calloused hands. Smiling brightly, he invited Emma to join him. Usually defensive, Emma found it surprisingly easy to confide in Jimmy. She assumed it was his laid-back demeanor that made her feel at ease. Before she knew it, she had told him about her mom’s untimely death, the horrific attack at her school, and the subsequent death of her father and stepmother. While he was instantly sympathetic, he also admired Emma’s courage. She and her brother had been through more in their sixteen years than most people encountered in a lifetime.

“I know all this will take some getting used to,” Jimmy began. “Being a civilian, the first time I got in with this crew I thought my sister had lost her mind! Everything’s done by the book and on schedule, but you’ll adjust. Speak of adjustments … this is going to be a big adjustment for Doc so hang in there. I’m not sure if I should be telling you this, but Doc and Louise lost their daughter, Amy, in a car accident. It’s been a few years now but Amy was their only child, their pride and joy. She was in her second year of medical school when she died. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, it was a rainy night, the fog was thick, and she lost control of the car. It crushed them. She had been exceptionally bright and not at all shy about speaking her mind. Funny, but I see a lot of her in you. I imagine it will stir up some old memories so try to go easy on him.”

Emma felt that all-too-familiar ache when people spoke of death and promised Jimmy that she understood. As they talked, Jimmy noticed Kate and Rose in the doorway motioning for him to send Emma back to bed. Jimmy took the hint from the game of charades going on behind her back and asked if she wanted to get some sleep.

Grimacing, Emma got to her feet and grumbled under her breath, “Apparently I don’t have a choice.”

Jimmy laughed and offered to walk Emma to the corridor of the sleeping quarters.

“This place really is amazing. Evan said you designed and built everything,” said Emma. “I can’t imagine how you did all this.”

“I
did
have help,” Jimmy said, blushing. “Of course, Frank, Ray, and Doc helped and, when necessary, we would hire out-of-state laborers. We didn’t want the locals talking. Well, I need to do a check on the power grid so get some sleep and I’ll see you at breakfast.”

“Yeah, about that. What will happen when the power goes out? I mean ... it’s only a matter of time, right? The zombie epidemic is spreading like wildfire. Eventually there’ll be no one left to work at the electric company. With no one to repair downed lines or blown transformers there will be no power. What will we do?”

“We don’t have to worry about that. We don’t operate with electricity generated from the power companies. We have our own power sources and generators. We’re off the grid. I assume Evan didn’t show you the ‘nerve center’ of our little cabin then. If you’re not tired, you’re welcome to come along and I’ll show you.”

Curious, Emma followed Jimmy down the opposite corridor and through a door labeled Restricted. The glow from rows of surveillance monitors lit the room. She could see everything from areas outside the entrance and surrounding the broken-down trailer to power meters and controls for the rest of the utilities. Emma looked around in awe as Jimmy checked the monitors and made notes in a folder. As he worked, he continued explaining.

“We have three different types of generators. The first is directly powered by a natural gas well on our property. That’s our main power source. The second, the most common type, is powered by gasoline. The third is reserved only for use during repairs because it only supplies power to the most vital areas, not the whole cabin.”

Emma wondered why until he revealed the last generator. Then she understood. The generator was attached to a stationary bike and was entirely human-powered. Solar panels outside also helped to supplement the power.

Their water supply came from an immense well that was deep enough to provide for an entire town. Jimmy assured her there was no danger of running out of water no matter how many people came to live at the cabin. Emma found herself starting to relax; clearly all of their needs had been anticipated and they were well prepared.

“C’mon, I’ll show you my pet project,” Jimmy said proudly as he propped open a tiny door.

There was an eerie light and an odd whirring sound coming from inside the room. Emma followed cautiously and blinked hard to help her eyes adjust to the light. The cavernous room housed hydroponics equipment and grow lights producing a new crop of fresh vegetables and herbs.

“Wow! This is amazing.”

“Between what we already have, either canned, vacuum-sealed, frozen, the military rations, and of course an abundance of game and fish from outside, we have more than enough food for, well, forever if necessary. Speaking of food, it’s almost time for breakfast and I’m starved. Let’s see if we can get the early bird special.”

Emma followed Jimmy through a series of hidden hallways and they ended up outside the kitchen. Kate’s eyes narrowed suspiciously as Jimmy entered with Emma on his heels. Jimmy wrapped his arms around his wife, Rose, and nuzzled the back of her neck.

“So what’s a guy gotta do to get some breakfast around here?” Jimmy teased as he reached for a piece of bacon.

Kate slapped his hand with her spatula and both Rose and Emma giggled.

“Ow! What was that for?” Jimmy grumbled.

“Mainly for keeping Emma up,” Kate said in her motherly tone, “but also for trying to snitch. You can wait just like everyone else. Don’t make me tell Louise!”

“Tell me what?” Louise asked as she breezed through the door, snatching a piece of bacon.

Sighing, Kate held out the plate to her brother and Emma, offering them some bacon. Emma eagerly took a strip but Jimmy made a dramatic production of resisting. He loudly announced that
he
would wait for everyone else. Of course, he was unable to keep a straight face and there was more laughter. Rose handed Jimmy a pitcher of juice and some glasses then shooed everyone out of the kitchen. She and Kate needed to finish. Emma joined Louise and Jimmy at the table and listened as they chatted. Kate loaded a plate with a stack of pancakes and a mound of bacon before setting it down in front of Emma.

“Here you go, sweetie,” Kate said, patting Emma’s shoulder. “Eat up.”

“Hey! Where’s mine?” Jimmy teased his sister.

“Get your own,” Kate retorted with a wink to Emma. “I’m not your waitress.”

Chuckling, Jimmy got up and went to the kitchen to make himself a plate.

“Jimmy, I wish you would have done like I asked,” Kate lectured. “We had a long and exhausting trek here. Emma needed to sleep.”

“Geez, Kate, quit mothering the kid to death. She’s a big girl. When she’s tired, she’ll sleep. She doesn’t need to be sent to bed like a toddler.”

Frowning, Kate wondered if she
had
been mothering Emma too much.

“Don’t worry, Kate,” Jimmy said as if he was reading her thoughts. “Emma thinks the world of you. That was my opinion, not her words.”

With a noisy clamor, breakfast was served. Plates were piled high and chatter continued between mouthfuls. Emma’s plate was half empty by the time Evan, Matt, and the rest joined her at the table. Doc took the seat across from Emma and smiled.

“Good morning! I hope you slept well because we’ve got a busy day ahead of us. I’ll give you those books later, too.”

“Great! I can’t wait,” said Emma brightly.

“Alright, you can tone it down … no one ‘can’t wait’ to study.”

“No one
except
my freak sister,” Matt scoffed. “She’s gotta be the only girl in the universe who would sign up for a class on Homecoming weekend. She missed the football game, the dance, everything!”

Matt’s statement left Rachael confused. She assumed cheerleaders had to be at Homecoming. Without divulging too much back-story, Evan explained that Rachael had witnessed Emma’s first and probably last football game as a cheerleader. Though he didn’t say it out loud, Evan vowed to burn her uniform if he ever saw it again.

“When you’re finished your breakfast, Emma, meet me in the garage and we’ll get started,” said Doc. He hoped she had a strong stomach or else there would be regurgitated pancakes all over the floor.

“I’m done,” answered Emma, eager to get started.

“You’re not done,” Doc said gruffly. “Finish eating. We have plenty of time.”

Emma crammed the last few forkfuls in her mouth all at once and sprang to her feet. “Done,” she said thickly though the layers of pancake and syrup.

Doc couldn’t help but laugh. He wondered if she would be that eager if she knew what she was getting into.

“Before we get started, I have one very important question and I expect you to answer it truthfully.” Doc’s tone was stern and serious, yet his eyes danced deviously. “Which chili did you vote for last night, Emma?”

She tried to worm her way out of answering. She explained that both batches were excellent and it was practically impossible to choose, but Doc wouldn’t let her off the hook that easily. Finally, Emma took a deep breath and mumbled, “The red one.”

“Yes! Ha, I knew I liked you,” Doc gloated. “C’mon, let’s get going. We’ll be heading to the garage first.”

“What are you doing in the garage?” Evan asked suspiciously.

“We’re having an anatomy lesson.”

“No way! Forget it!”

Doc glared angrily at his godson and bluntly told him to mind his own business. Emma roughly elbowed Evan in the ribs and whispered for him to keep quiet.

“Don’t tell me to be quiet, Em. You don’t even know what they’re going to make you do. Do you really want to gut deer?”

Emma chewed her lip thoughtfully for a moment. “Dissection is part of the Bio curriculum. What’s the big deal, Evan?”

“Yeah, frogs soaked in formaldehyde,” Evan argued. “This is different.”

“We dissected cats and fetal pigs in a class I took over the summer. I’ll be fine,” Emma insisted and stomped out of the dining room.

Doc had to admit; he admired her determination. In the garage, Ray already had the deer hanging from the ceiling and R.J. was spreading a tarp over the concrete floor.

“Are you being punished too?” R.J. asked sympathetically.

“No, I’m here for a lesson,” Emma said brightly and earned a smile from Doc to counter R.J.’s look of astonishment.

Emma paid close attention as Doc explained where to cut, how deep, and most importantly, what to avoid. If she cut into the intestines or perforated the stomach the stench would be horrendous and it would ruin the meat. Firmly gripping the knife, Emma took a deep breath and made the incision. Though bloodier than the specimens in her class, Emma didn’t understand why Evan had made such a big deal out of it.

As Emma removed organs, she identified each one and the role they played. Doc beamed proudly at his new pupil and silently berated himself for doubting Frank’s judgment. Evan, who had been brooding outside the door watching Emma, was ready to rush to her rescue.

“Good God,” Ray scoffed. “You’re as bad as your mother. Don’t you think you’re being a little overprotective?”

Evan stormed off angrily and went in search of his mother. He hoped she would be outraged and demand that Doc put a stop to it. Kate listened sympathetically as Evan complained.

“Evan, I don’t know what you expect me to do about it,” Kate said patiently. “Doc must have his reasons for such a strange lesson plan.”

“But Mom, you’re not really going to let them do this to her, are you? Am I the only one who cares about her?”

“That’s enough!” Kate snapped back. “Stop trying to manipulate me, Evan. I’m not getting involved.”