Surviving The Aftermath (Book 1): The Dead Linger (15 page)

“Hey there.” Kurt said coming sitting down next to Oscar at the table where he was finishing putting his gun back together.

“Hi.” A beer appeared before him. “Oh I love you man.” Oscar said tipping his head back took a big swig of beer. While booze was still available, they indulged once in a while. There was no need yet to make their own, but everyone knew there were a few people that did it anyway.

“How are things looking?” Kurt asked referring to the ammunition resupplying area.

“It looks good. Al and Emily are showing the others how everything works, there will be a learning curve I’m sure but by the end of the week we could be firing brand new bullets.”

“That’ll be nice, one less thing to worry about on our list of a million.” Kurt was now drinking up his own beer. Oscar always made Kurt a bit nervous, he was a military man, but he’d swear that he got that Vibe from him, he’d just never had the courage to ask. He didn’t seem homophobic, but then Kurt didn’t really come off as gay either, he felt stuck.

“You ok? You look tense.” Oscar asked.

“Just came from the security room. The Jeff guy is losing his marbles man. We can’t keep him here. Maybe we should just poison him and be done.”

“I’m all for that, but you know there will be some people that have issues.” Kurt reminded Oscar. There was a select group that was not fond of capital punishment, or the banishment of people or some of the stricter laws that were in place. They felt people deserved chances and everyone should be forgiven and absolved of all crimes committed before coming here. It sounded good in theory, giving people the opportunity for a fresh start, but it was discovered early on that not everyone was looking to better themselves here.

“Did you hear what they are cooking for dinner?” Oscar asked. Kurt had just gotten caught staring at Oscar and had to regroup quickly.

“Mexican, uh, tacos and stuff I heard.”

“Nice, beer always goes good with Mexican. Oh and tequila, we should get a bottle and have a couple of drinks later. You want too?” Oscar stood and was looking down at Kurt.

“Ugh, yeah sure. Totally. Uh sounds like a plan to me.” Kurt was elated and shocked, he hadn’t ever recalled be invited to drink alone with Oscar.

“Awesome! I’ll see you at dinner.” Oscar clapped Kurt on the back and head over to the warehouse. Kurt couldn’t believe what a jack ass he sounded like. He could barely speak what was wrong with him. Maybe after dinner with some tequila he’d have the courage to ask Oscar his preference.

“Hey, Meghan?” Jack said.

“Yes?” Jack was very nervous. He had been for a couple of days now, trying to work up the courage to ask her out.

“You know, last week was my birthday, I’m 18 now.” He added.

“What?! Really? Why didn’t you tell anyone, we would have celebrated.”

“It’s no big deal.” He shrugged it off. They walked along the back side of the lot, it was Meghan’s patrol route for the night. A small perch had been built up in the back corners so people could see over the wall, and on cold windy nights, which were abundant in the Midwest, the shelter really helped. She climbed down and they walked along the side wall, eventually, they wanted to make it possible to walk along the tops of the walls, so you could circle the entire complex from above, but that would take a lot more material. For now this worked, with the perches.

“Well happy birthday anyway. What would you have done for your 18th if things were normal?”

“I guess probably just have gone out to dinner with my folks, maybe gone to a movie or something with my friends. Nothing spectacular.” He told her.

“Well I could give you a belated birthday present.” And she leaned forward and kissed him. Jack didn’t really know what to do with hands so he just set them on her waist as she kissed him.

“Will you go out with me?” He blurted. She just smiled and looked at him as she put her arms up around his neck and nodded, then added. “You know, you could kiss me back.” She informed him.

“Oh right.” He started kissing her again.

Slinging through the shadows, trying not to be noticed Tyler made is way to the rendezvous point that him and Cindi arranged earlier. He could barely contain his excitement. They had some handguns and a rifle, a couple boxes of food and water. There were even three girls willing to leave with them. Cindi was meeting him to check out the SUV he could hot wire, in a couple of days he’d bust Jeff out and they hit the road. Stupid Tom, trying to get him to leave his daughter alone, he knew they were having sex. That was the best part, and he couldn’t do anything about it, Cindi only had eyes for him. Ah, and there she was waiting for him. He was gonna tap it again tonight, just like he’d been doing almost every night. The girl was insatiable, she must get off on being daddy’s girl dating the bad boy.

“Hey sweet thing.” He strolled up to her and kissed her long and hard. She grabbed his belt and yanked him into her body.

“Hey yourself.” She kissed him some more, sucking on his tongue and doing anything else that seemed naughty. He had to push her back, she was relentless.

“Did you get the rest of the ammo?”

“Yeah, it’s in the box around the corner.” Tyler headed towards it, Cindi was trailing behind him. He crouched down and searched through it. Yes! There had to be easily 1000 rounds. They snuck back around in and quietly deposited the box in the trunk with the rest.

“Thanks babe! You are the best.” He kissed her and grabbed her hand to go to their spot.

“Wait, where are you going? She was irritated and ready to cry her emotions were all over the place, a new and recent development for her.

“I thought we were going to our normal place.”

“I knew it. You’re just using me. All you wanted was the supplies, some booty and you’re going to ditch me.” He rolled his eyes heavenward as this was almost becoming an everyday occurrence with her. She used to tell him how much she wanted him and needed him, but now it seemed to turn in whining more and more. 

“You know I have to find Jeff and bust him out, I love you sweetie.” He cupped her cheeks and kissed her.

“Then why won’t you make love to me? Why are you so afraid to show me affection in public? You won’t even talk to me in the lunch room, are when we pass each other in the yard.”

He loved playing with her, getting her to beg him for sex was such an ego boost.

“You want me here? Now?” He was already primed and ready to go.

“Yes, oh yes.” She was running her hands up his chest and frantically working on his pants. Tyler didn’t mind the place, in fact it was kind of a turn on, just the fact that Cindi was so loud. She started getting that frowny face again. So he sucked it up and kissed, he started pulling her shorts and spun her around. Thank god she didn’t always require the normal attention most women, she was quick to arouse and satisfy. He drove into her, pressing her up against the car, as she started to make screechy noises. He quickly covered her mouth with his hand. “Shhhhhh baby, you have to keep it down.” He just had to focus and finish quick before someone saw them. He’d never had so much pressure on him to perform before.

“Ah, young love.” Kurt said as he had a sip of tequila, noticing Jack and Meghan kiss from a far.

“I know, poor kids, he should be taking her out on a cheap date or something, not stuck here.” Oscar replied.

The two men sat outside enjoying their bottle and the night air. Most if not all of the patio furniture had been moved outside to different areas for people sit and relax when they were not working.

“Did you hear, Casey and Tom are drawing up plans to move us all into those apartments soon.” Kurt announced.

“No shit.” Oscar said turning to look at Kurt. Those apartments had been the cause of lots of talk, arguments and worries. Other than the fact that they were completely engulfed in a wooded area with a small creak running in the back, they had no idea what lurked inside them. For a while now there was lots of back and forth about risking it or not, and the idea always fizzled out. It seemed Jill renewed this notion and people were siding with her thoughts.

“Man it would be nice to have a real room again, with real walls and junk.”

“I know right. But the worst part will be cleaning them out and up. Think about, a year worth of rotten food and stale air, who knows if anyone died in there. It’ll be a pain in the ass man.” Kurt replied.

“Yeah but I’d still do it just so I wouldn’t have to hear the couple next to me having sex.” With the mention of that word Kurt suddenly became very self-conscious and remembered why he was really out here. He had to ask now, while he was still sober enough to think but yet had enough drinks to take the edge off.

“So ah, was there anyone waiting for you at home? You know, before all this started?”

“What? Like a wife?”

“Well yeah. A little woman in her apron and pearls, waiting for her army man to come home from the wars.” Kurt said trying to keep things light and downed another shot. He was up to three now, he had to keep track.

“No way man, I was single before, still am.”

“There’s no one here that interests you at all?” Kurt doing his best to keep is casual as he refilled both glasses.

“Maybe one or two people that I’ve noticed, but you know I just don’t think I have the courage to say anything.” Kurt was feeling slightly deflated and shocked by this omission, he felt like the only thing he should do was suck it up and be supportive and help Oscar. With a slightly shaking voice Kurt said

“Well maybe she doesn’t realize you are into her. I mean flirting hasn’t died, that’s still part of the game bro.” Kurt now back with a little muster.

“I guess I could flirt more, I’m a pretty private person and aside from shooting zombies I’m kind of shy.”

“No way, you’re shy?” Kurt had never witnessed anything but courage and utter brazenness from Oscar. He always seemed to walk around with a bit of swagger, even when he was in full army mode. He’d seen him skinny dip in a pond once after rescue mission. It’s probably why he felt so drawn to him. Nothing seemed to distract him from a goal or mission, he was a super nice guy, and with handsome Latin features and dark wavy hair, Oscar was the epitome of tall dark and handsome. In Kurt’s mind this was a lethal combo.

“I am. I’m not sure if I could walk up to anyone and tell them I like them. Tell me what I should do. How would you play it?” Oscar asked Kurt. Kurt took a sip of his tequila, he’d have to think about this one. “Pretend you like me, what would you say?” Oscar asked.

Kurt looked at Oscar and thought of what he wanted to say to him.

“Ok this is pretend now right?”

“Absolutely.”

“I guess I would say something like, we have been friends for a while now and I would like nothing more than to turn that friendship into possibly something more. I find you very attractive, and find myself drawn to you in such a way I can’t help but want to kiss you . . .” Kurt stopped because he knew he wasn’t pretending anymore. Then he added quickly.

“And maybe add in something about her being beautiful and hold her hand. Chicks love that.” He said quickly downing the rest of his shot. How many shots was that? Four. He had to watch it, he certainly didn’t want to be drunk with Oscar right here. A faint sound of music was floating around through the night air, you couldn’t really make out the words, just an easy melody. Kurt was pouring them each another shot when Oscar leaned forward and brushed his lips gently over the side of Kurt’s exposed neck.

“What are you doing?!” Kurt asked shocked, he almost dropped the bottle. Oscar had rested his hand on Kurt’s knee and was now just smiling at him.

“I thought it obvious.” He said smiling. “Kurt, I know.”

“Know what?”

“I know you like me.” Oscar was looking him right in the eyes now.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kurt was trying to look anywhere but at Oscar’s face.

“Yes you do, because I feel the same about you and I can’t help but want to kiss you.” Oscar finished his sentence while leaning forward again and kissing Kurt on the lips.

Patty and Cheryl were on their normal patrol when the heard the noises.

“Let’s go check it out, it came from the garage.”

“I sure as heck hope it’s not anther opossum.” Cheryl said. Last time they found a mama opossum with her babies holed up in the garage, and removing her was a beast of a job. They tip toed passed the storage sheds and peered into the garages finding nothing.

“I know I heard something,” Squeak.

“See there it is again!” Patty exclaimed. They went closer and walked towards the last garage, and both women gasped as they saw Tyler and Cindi, engaged in a very private act.

“Oh damn if I only had my cell phone, I’d snap a pic of that.” Both women ducked back.

“Come on, we’ll have to tell Vikki this time, Tom didn’t believe us last time.” Both women quickly scurried off to tattle.

Jill was lying in bed with her head on Casey’s shoulder. Ever since the supply run a couple weeks ago, they had been practically living together in Casey’s room. He had a bigger living area than Jill, and a decent size bedroom and a little sitting area. He also had a king size bed which Jill really liked. Not just because it gave them more room, but because sometimes it made things seem normal again. Being in a painted bedroom with a comfy bed, sleeping beside someone at night, she cuddled in closer.