Least Likely To Survive (16 page)

After Chloe and I stocked ourselves with supplies, we walked further through the room, and turned a corner, where there were a row of shower stalls awaiting us.  After the events of the last two days, I had never seen such a glorious sight, and was looking forward to washing off all the dirt and grime that had caked itself onto my skin. 

Stepping into stall, I set down my loot on the bench, and began removing the gun harness once more.  After I was completely stripped down, I walked over to the actual shower portion of the stall and began adjusting the hot and cold nozzles to the right temperature.  Once I found my happy medium, I stepped under the spray, and let the water run over my head and down my back.  “Ahhhh, this is fucking amazing,” I said out loud as the heat soaked into my tired muscles, easing some of my tension.

“That Ian guy seems like a creeper,” I was pulled from my euphoria at Chloe’s words from the stall next to mine.  The room was empty, and I thought it would be okay to speak freely.

“Yeah, gives a new meaning to ‘Stranger Danger’ for sure.”  I replied as I dipped my head further under the stream.

“What do you think is really going on here, Angie?  I mean, it seems normal enough, but everyone has been really shifty so far, and it’s giving me the creeps.”

I thought for a moment about her words.  Sure, everyone seemed super tense, but in all fairness the world had been overrun with zombies; who wouldn’t be acting a little odd?  I did however think something was definitely amiss with Ian, and was curious as to what his deal was, but I didn’t want to tell her that, as she would surely want in on whatever plot I hatched.

“I think everyone is just on edge with the whole situation.  I’m sure everything is fine.”  The lie left a bad taste in my mouth as it left my lips, but I really didn’t want to alarm her, nor did I want to peak her curiosity any further.

I heard her sigh before she answered.  “You’re probably right.”

We didn’t talk after that, both of us trying to get clean as fast as we could.  I finished up rinsing the last of the conditioner out of my hair after running a razor over my legs, and scouring every last inch of myself with the bar of soap, and turned the water off.  I stared at the shower head with longing, as I had no idea when my next one would be, and turned to start drying off.

Once I finished toweling off, I slathered lotion and deodorant on, then picked up the offensive garments I would be forced to sport.  To their credit, they fit well, and I couldn’t complain too much as I slid my feet into the flip flops.  I gathered up my dirty clothes, and wondered if there was a laundry facility onsite, and figuring there must be, shoved them back into my pack for the time being.  I hesitated before strapping the guns back on, but decided it was better than being unarmed,
and
unable to run, and holstered myself back up.

Since it hadn’t occurred to me to grab shower toiletries before I left home, I dropped the bottles into the bag, in the event I would get to use them again.  Taking a look around to make sure I had everything, I opened the curtain and stepped back out into the main area of the locker room, just as Chloe stepped out of hers.  I noticed she too, had strapped her guns back on.

We walked together still in silence over to the row of mirrors, and set our stuff down to brush our hair.  By the grace of God, someone had the good sense to leave out bottles of detangler; otherwise we could be here awhile.  I spritzed my hair, and proceeded to unknot the now clean and wet dark red mop on my head.  I caught Chloe’s eye in the mirror, as she was fighting her own hair battle.  “Are you hungry?”  I asked her, still mid-knot.

She thought on that for a moment before answering.  “Yeah, I guess.”  She paused for a few more moments, before I saw her face light up, “Do you think there will be any cute guys here?”  I looked at her and burst out laughing.  I laughed so hard my ribs ached and tears streaked down my cheeks.  She just looked at me with complete confusion on her face.  “What?  Is that funny or something?” 

This just made me laugh even harder, to the point no sound came out of my mouth.  I saw myself in the mirror doing this; brush still in hand, and a mass of red curls snaked through its bristles, and still couldn’t stop.  We were all going to die, and leave it to her to wonder if there would still be cute boys in the world.

Chapter 10:  Club Box.

Chloe and I had finished our hair, and stepped back out the main door of the locker room into the hall, where Jack, Ty, Roscoe and Ian were standing waiting for us. I had to smile at the clothes Ty and Jack had picked for themselves.  They both had on grey sweats with Texas logos trailing down the right leg, although Ty had on a black and grey non-descript T-shirt, and Jack was wearing a plain black muscle shirt.  With his arms bare, I got a better look at the various tattoos scattered about, and almost started to drool at the definition in his biceps.

I almost turned around and marched myself right back into the locker room for another shower, although this one would be ice cold, but Ian wasted no time as he wordlessly led us back down the hallway. 

After a few more turns, we stopped at yet another elevator, which undoubtedly would take us further up the heart of this beast. “Angela and the children will be on the fourth level with the women, children and families. Mr. Jones,” he paused as he consulted his clipboard once more, “Will be on the third level with the other single men.”

Ty halted so fast it caused the rest of us to stumble as we almost collided.  “No, we stay together.”  His words were tense, and I admired the resolve in his voice and the way he steeled his shoulders, prepared for argument.

Ian simply raised a brow, and looked to Jack.  “Mr. Jones, would you prefer to stay with them?”

Jack didn’t even glance at us, and didn’t hesitate as he said, “Of course.”  He threw a smile at us, “We’re family now.”

Ian scribbled something on his board before responding with a sigh, “Alright.  We prefer that area for spouses and parents, but feel an exception can be made, considering the,” he looked at each of us in turn, still with raised brow, “circumstance.” 

“What the fuck does that mean?”
  I wondered to myself as I gazed back at him with obvious distrust.  Something was seriously wrong with this guy, and I would find out what it was one way or the other.

He pulled some cards loose from under the clip of the board and started to hand them out.  Each had our name, age, and what level we were on written in black Sharpie.  “Keep these with you at all times, so that you may have entrance to your level.” He paused to scribble out the floor on Jack’s, and rewrite the new designation before handing it out.

I took the white card from him, glanced at it briefly, before stuffing it into the pocket of my pants.  Satisfied that we were all adequately labeled, Ian turned heel when the elevator doors opened and escorted us out onto level 4.

As we reached some innocuous entrance, we were stopped by a well armed guard.  Ian nodded to the guard, and he stepped aside to let us pass, although he made sure to study each of our faces as if committing them to memory.  This all had a very ‘prison’ feel to it, but I kept my mouth shut.

We filed past the guard, walked up a little flight of stairs, and came out in a little hallway littered with various doors that all looked the same, and somewhat reminded me of that hallway in ‘The Shining.’  I shuddered as I almost pictured twin girls standing at the other end begging us to play with them. 

“This will be your living space,” Ian started as he stopped just outside one of the doors that were nearly indiscernible from any other.  “You will find everything you need to sleep inside,” he turned and pointed off to the right, “there is a patio over there where the dog may do his business,” then turned and pointed a final time towards the stadium proper, “and if you go up there, you will find the restaurant on the roof, as well as a civilian common area.”  He didn’t stop to gauge our reaction, or answer any questions, simply did an about face and scurried off back down the corridor.

The four of us shared a look, and walked through the door of our temporary home.  As we stepped in, I looked around, and noticed we were in a club box; not that I had ever been in one, but could assume nonetheless.  It must have been one of the luxury ones, as it was really a suite, and although there was a main area overlooking the stadium with a few rows of seats, totaling about twelve, there were two doors off one side, and one on the other.

I stepped down into the box, and headed for the lone door on the left.  I gently turned the handle, and pushed my head through the doorway.  Glancing around, it looked like a miniature living room, complete with a sofa and big comfy chairs.  Turning back around, I looked across the box and saw Ty doing the same as I was.  Our eyes met, and we silently affirmed the case was the same of all three rooms.

“Well, there are three rooms, and four of us.  How do you guys wanna do this?”  I left my expression blank and questioning as I welcomed feedback for this dilemma.

I was met with equally blank stares from the kids, which did me no good, but it was Jack who spoke up first.  “Let’s give Ty and Chloe their own rooms and you and I can just share the big one.”  He kept a straight face the whole time, which did little to help me decipher the intent behind his words.  I considered his words, as that was certainly one way to go about it, but I wasn’t about to argue.

I shrugged my shoulders in what I was hoping passed for indifference.  “Okay.”

I grabbed a blanket and pillow from a stack that had been sitting on a table by the door we had first walked in, and walked back into the room I had just checked out. The others followed by example and grabbed their own bedding, heading into their own rooms.  Jack followed me into ours, and we quietly set up our makeshift beds.

Deciding that he should have the sofa as he was taller, I pulled the two chairs together, and formed a little love seat that would suit my needs.  Laying out the blanket, I fluffed the pillow a couple of times and threw it at the top of the chair.  I was silent for a moment, trying to figure out what to say.  Eventually I gave up the idea of tact, and just spit it out.  “So why exactly are you and I sharing a room?”  I didn’t look up as I asked the question, trying to be as casual as I could.

“So I can keep an eye on you in case you decide to bolt in the middle of the night, leaving us behind,” He answered just as casually.

Fuck my life
.  Was I that damn obvious?  I thought I had been pretty sneaky when I asked for the keys, but either he knew me better than I thought, or was the best body language interpreter in the world.  I had to hand it to him, this guy was on point.  I felt the color start to crawl back up into my cheeks at having been found out.  Clearing my throat, I coughed, turning to look at him as I said, “And why on earth would you think that?”  I knew the fact that my voice had raised about twelve octaves gave me away, but I would try to play it out.

Jack dropped the pillow he had been fluffing, and turned to meet my gaze head on.  “Seriously, Angie?  Like I didn’t know what you were up to when you asked for the keys?  Fuck, give me a little more credit!”  For the first time since we had met, I saw his eyes darken with anger, and realized he was actually mad at me.  “I know damn well you have no intention of staying here, and thought you would leave me here with the kids while you were at it.  Are you
that
desperate to be rid of us?!” The incredulous look on his face made my stomach drop with guilt.

I stood there silently, watching as his breathing got heavier with his anger, and that little vein in his forehead started to throb at me. This was the most emotion I had seen from him since we met, and was kind of grateful for it, as I had been starting to wonder if he was some sort of constantly annoyed robot.

Well fuck, he must think I can’t stand him being around, and was dying to escape his company, and that wasn’t the case at all.  “Jack,” I started, feeling the steam and determination leave me.  “That isn’t why I was gonna leave you here.”

“Then what, Angie?”  He growled at me, nostrils still flaring.  Fuck, even him doing that was hot.  I really needed to get a grip.  I shook myself out of my nostril admiring and focused again on our conversation.

“I don’t know shit about kids.  I have no business caring for them, or trying to be a stand-in guardian.”  Without leaving his gaze, I raised my hand and gestured to the door in their direction.  “They’ve lost everything, and they deserve to be somewhere they’ll be safe, and taken care of, and you are
way
better at that then I could ever
hope
to be.”  My arm fell in defeat as I admitted my fear.  I could barely take care of myself; let alone a couple of kids.

I saw his shoulders relax at my confession; obviously it wasn’t the reaction he had been expecting.  “Oh.  Well fuck, Angie.”  He put his hands on his waist as he continued taking deep breaths while considering my words.  Picking his hands back up he ran them through his hair and down the sides of his face as if trying to wipe off the exhaustion of the last couple of days.  Raising his eyes to meet mine again, I could see they had lost their edge, and his face had the softest expression of understanding.

“Give it a couple of days and rest.  If you still feel the same, I’ll help you leave myself.”  He paused before grinning mischievously back at me.  “But I doubt you’ll go without us.  Admit it, you like me and you like them.”  Still grinning like the devil he was, he walked towards me and placed his hands on my face, cupping my cheeks.  I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest at the closeness.  Fuck, was he going to kiss me or something?  Did I
want
him to kiss me?  Okay, fucking dumb question, of course I did!

He stared into my eyes for a minute, almost as if searching for something, then smiled wider and pulled me into a hug. 
“Well, it’s not a kiss, but I’ll take it.”
  I thought to myself as I buried my nose into his chest and inhaled deeply as I wrapped my arms around him as well.

We stood like that for a while, not speaking, just holding onto one another.  I think after all that we had seen, we both just needed some reassurance in the form of physical contact that we were still alive, and that we were on the same team.

“You’re charming, in a very off-putting sort of way, and the first person I’ve considered a friend in a while.  Please don’t leave without us.”  He murmured this into my hair as our embrace continued. 

Well fuck. 
This guy
.  No wonder he was so famous; he knew exactly what to say to just melt a girl into a little puddle of lust and adoration at his feet.  Somehow he had managed to sort of insult me and make it sound like a compliment at the same time, but I couldn’t be mad.  No, it’s hard to be angry about anything when your nose is pressed against the best smelling human being on the planet.

Much sooner than I really wanted, we both pulled back from our hug, and he smiled at me as headed back to the door to the common area.  I gave him a half-hearted smile in return, and followed. 

We emerged into the room and were met with Ty and Chloe sitting in the front row of seats, studying the vast floor below.  It really was spectacular, and I couldn’t help but think how cool it would be to have this box for a show or something, given the great bird’s eye view of the stadium.

Clearing my throat I asked, “So who’s hungry?”  I snickered as three hands shot up in unison.  Still chuckling to myself; “Alright then, let’s go find that restaurant.”

Leading the way, I headed to the door, and back out into the creepy hallway.  Trying to hide my shudder, I walked a couple of feet and stopped as it occurred to me I had no fucking clue which way to go.  My inner GPS had never worked right, and I could get lost in a paper sack.  I turned around to ask if anyone else knew, and was somewhat surprised when Chloe heaved a sigh and darted in front of me to continue leading the herd.  I didn’t say anything, nor did anyone else.  Obviously she had been paying attention.

The quiet continued as we walked in a straight line back down the hall, down the little stairway, which spit us out back at the door with the guard.  He didn’t say anything to us, just inspected us silently as we filed by him.  I don’t think it was a case of him not liking us; I mused that perhaps he was just really good at his job.  When this shit ended, that guy needed a promotion.

Reaching the larger area, Chloe led us over to the first elevator, and pushed the button for the upper level.  I remembered Ian saying the restaurant was on the roof, but wasn’t sure if that was just the top level, or we would really be going outside.  Either way, I didn’t suppose it mattered as long as there was a meal involved.

I again watched the numbers ping cheerily above the door, as the box stopped on the top floor.  Pinging again, the doors slid open, revealing another large corridor, which shouted ‘Food Court’ at me.  Stepping off the elevator, I looked around and saw a restaurant up ahead, and several concession stands.  “Well this must be what he was referring to,” I mumbled mostly to myself, but out loud as well.

Chloe rolled her eyes in answer.  “
Duh, Angie
.  He
did
say the top floor was where the food is.”  She shook her head at me, and turned to continue the short walk to the entrance of the restaurant.

I wondered to myself if I was such a smartass as a kid.  I doubted I was, for surely someone would have beaten the shit out of me for it, and briefly considered heaving her off the roof.  I quickly tossed the idea aside, as I was willing to bet Jack would protest.  It was a nice thought, though.

Still smiling to myself, I followed the group through the main door, and was kinda disappointed there wasn’t a hostess waiting to seat us.  Looking around, it became apparent there would be no wait staff, as a modest buffet had been setup on a cluster of tables in the middle, and there were small groups of people huddled at the various tables deep in conversation. 

Approaching the food table, I grabbed a plate and silverware, and started to pile the food on.  Although slim, the selection wasn’t bad. There was a little salad bar and an assortment of pastas and cold cuts.  Bread and rolls filled a little basket, making it very evident there would be a lot of sandwiches in my future.  I was a little disappointed by that, as a hot meal would have been amazing, but it was still better than canned veggies and beef jerky.

After filling my plate with cold turkey, a bit of lettuce and tomatoes, I grabbed a couple of rolls and few packets of mustard and headed to a table large enough to accommodate the four of us.  I picked a chair, sat down, and began assembling my sandwich.  No one spoke as the others began doing the same with their food, which made me wonder, especially about the kids.  I snuck glances at Ty and Chloe, as they shuffled food around their plates, and noticed they wore matching expressions of concentration.  I highly doubted they were that focused on cold cuts, and chalked it up to them trying to reason out the events of the day.