walkers the survivors (12 page)

    
"Babe, I can't leave you alone for five minutes."  He said as he put his arm across my shoulders and started walking me back to the cabin.  The sound of the sled let me know that pa was heading to his final resting place.

    
"We got two more kids.  They brought pa for medical help."

    
"Damn, that's gonna be a tough one."
     "They said something about their baby sister that died and I was wondering about taking care of it."  The 'it' I was talking about was putting down the baby.   I just couldn't see myself killing a baby but it had to be done.  I must of been in some kind of shock cause I kept wondering where pa's pants were, why he was chasing the kids and how he could look so bad after being ill such a short time.  Usually little animals snacking on the remains causes that kind of damage but he hadn't been dead long enough. 

    
We entered the cabin and found Sarah feeding the munchkins some oatmeal and canned milk.  I couldn't stand canned milk, but I wasn't much of a milk drinker to begin with so my bad.  The kids stunk to high heaven, and the little girls hair would have to be cut, no way those tangles could be brushed out.  Id' leave that to Sarah and Lacy who was talking quietly to them.  She'd been involved with the little ones lately and I was beginning to wonder if she was getting maternal.  Lord, I hope she doesn't want a baby of her own.  With that thought came shame, cause why shouldn't she want her own child.  It was just that the world was so messed up right then I couldn't see having a baby.  Melody had Davy and that had been ok.  Still, giving birth right now was too much too deal with.

     
I was starting to wonder also where we were getting all these kids.  When we arrived Bobby and Sally were waiting for us.  We had acquired the shooter Mikey and now these two.  I was worried about it but couldn't seem to come up with a reason.  Each child had a different story so it didn't seem to be a conspiracy.  I'd guess we were just lucky.

    
Seemed like all the ladies but me and Nancy were gathered around the kids.  All that mothering and they wouldn't miss pa, at least that was my fondest wish.  Lacy looked at me and thought,
It seems as though 'pa' was molesting these two adorable babies.  That's why they were running away from him.  They only brought him for help cause they were afraid if he got well on his own he would be mad cause they didn't do anything.  He was planning to attack us for the food in a few days but got sick instead.  I don't think they'll miss him too much.

    
I felt like going out and shooting him again.  Well, at least he won't be molesting them anymore and they could enjoy being kids again.  Once I had a neighbor that was molesting his kids.  They were my friends and I tried to get them help but they were too scared.  When I told my mom, she said it wasn't any of our business so they suffered.  I hated that man with a passion and went out of my way to avoid him.

    
I watched with shinning eyes as the ladies took the kids upstairs to clean them up.  I was betting they were going to sleep the rest of the day out after dragging that sorry bastard here.  Yep, I'd kill him again, no problem.  Just then someone else I could've killed walked in and I sighed.  Nancy's head was a jumble of fear, anxiety and anger.  She was wondering how many more of the little bastards we were going to take in and have to feed.  She was wanting awfully bad to say something but the looks on our faces told her she better keep her mouth shut.  Time would tell, but I was betting she'd mess up.  I was also betting I would have to set her straight.  She had nothing on Sissy though, and I'd had practice with dealing with her kind.   I'd better start working on strengthening my arm though, I had a feeling I was gonna need it.

                                                                      CHAPTER 12

     Mason spent some time with us before he left with the guys to finish what they started before the excitement.  The kids were still upstairs letting the ladies fuss over them.  I was trying to get the image of pa's penis out of my mind while I worked my arm muscle by lifting a small can of beans repeatedly.  I always seemed to be doing therapy of some kind.  

    
A noise interrupted my thoughts and I looked towards Nancy and Bruce's cabin.  They were standing outside yelling at each other.  I couldn't hear the words but it didn't matter, I really didn't care.  All they seemed to do was fight.  She finally pushed him causing him to take a step back while she ran back into the cabin and slammed the door.  He stood staring at the door a minute before he headed back to my porch.  I ignored him as he wandered up and sat on the bottom step, staring at his feet.  I figured if he wanted to talk he would.  Since I wanted some peace and quiet I kept  lifting the beans and listened to the birds and squirrels.

     
I was beginning to think he didn't know I was there until he asked, "Are one of the campers empty?  If there is I'd like to have one.  Just for myself.  I've had it with her.  I'm tired of being told I'm worthless."

    
"I don't see a problem with that.  Why don't ya take the four wheeler and go find the guys.  They're bringing as many of the campers as they can find here today.  I'm sure they'll be one for you.  In fact, I saw a big old truck with a slide in camper the day I got shot.  That would be perfect for one person." 

    
He stood, dusted off his seat, hesitated like he wanted to say something else then went in search of the four wheeler.  I could've jumped into his mind and scanned it to see what the problem was but I'd been trying to stop lately.  Some peoples mind were a cauldron of misery and it was depressing.  I didn't need that.  A few minutes later, I heard the four  wheeler start up and the dust flew as he went in search of the men. Their cabin remained quiet the rest of the afternoon.

    
I'd lifted beans till I was sick of it then went in search of a nap, which left me tired when I woke up an hour later.  I couldn't have slept any more anyway cause a procession of campers were driving or being pulled into the area.  The smell of venison hung heavy in the air from the elk Flynn killed the day before, making everyone's stomach growl, so a mad dash was made to every sink in the area where hands were washed and faces scrubbed clean.  Sarah made that mandatory and enforced it.  So the dining room was full and everyone was waiting by the time she called dinner.   I enjoyed the show as a lot of good nature d competing went on to get the best part of the meat. 

    
She had baked a large roast, then pan fried a million steaks.  From that she made gravy to pour over mashed potatoes.  There was some canned fruit, applesauce and homemade bread.  She sure could whip up some wonderful homemade bread and rolls.  The men were starving, so  she had a huge smile on her face as she watched them eat, blushing when someone yelled out  what a fine cook she was.

    
Our two newest additions were getting special attention from Joe and Sandy.  Kevin said he was 10 but a very skinny ten years old if you ask me.  They'd been abused by their father and Joe took a special interest.  Sandy had his sister, Amy, sitting on her lap.   Pa was gone along with that part of his anatomy that haunted me and from now on they would be loved as children should be.  They both had taken naps but were already nodding so Joe and Sandy carried them off to bed.

    
Bruce was sitting at the big table with the rest of us which left Nancy sitting by herself at the table by the door.  She kept glancing at Bruce's back like she wanted to say something but I think she'd probably said too much as it was.  She never said a word to anyone and after eating a bite, she stormed from the room...her footsteps marked her path down the steps.  The air cleared after she left and everyone talked quietly then.  Bruce seemed more relaxed than I'd ever seen him and joked with the men, telling one hunting story after another.

    
"Why do you think we are finding so many children all of a sudden?"  Lacy asked.

    
"I was wondering that myself."  George replied.  "We seemed to be finding them or they're finding us.  Not that I mind.  The poor things.  Sally is so sweet that I feel like she's mine already.  Riley is a fool around her."

    
"Yeah, we've all noticed.  Well, as long as we can take care of them I don't see a problem with it."

    
"How's your arm doing, JD?"  Mercy asked.  She'd fed Davy and then Flynn disappeared with her to put her to bed.  Hard to believe he was the hard nosed ex-seal.  He was so cute with that baby.

    
"Better.  I've been exercising it all day so I can go on the next trip to town.  I wanted to do some shopping so get your lists ready.  We need to get some extra stuff for the new kids and I was thinking about Christmas coming up in a couple of months."

    
"You gonna bring back a trailer full of stuff like last time?"  I'd filled a trailer full of nonsense stuff last year and everyone had the chance to go shopping for their loved ones.  They all hand made presents for me because I knew what was in the trailer.  It was great and I got some really unique gifts.  I became sad at the thought that all those gifts were destroyed when the lodge went up, except for the silver crossbow necklace Mason gave me.  I wore it all the time.

    
"It seemed to work so I'll see what I can do.  We have more kids than last year so might have to bring back a trailer of toys.  This trip, though I'll just try to get the stuff we need.  There's a Tractor Supply store at the intersection  when we came in, they should have some bib overalls for Howard.  I noticed the ones he has are about worn out."

    
"Yeah, he found them hanging on a clothesline at that little ghost town with the natural pool.  I thought he was gonna cry when he saw them."  Sam, his better half, said. "I have to admit he looks better in them than those sweats we were having to wear.  He tried to talk me into wearing a pair but I just couldn't bring myself to his way of thinking.  I prefer the sweats over the bibs but I would sure like to find some jeans."

    
We all nodded at that.  Good, clean, well fitting clothes would be wonderful.  I needed new shoes and I'd noticed yesterday that everyone else did to.  This called for a trip to a warehouse.  You could just about find everything on your list at one place.  But it was an all day affair clearing the building of walkers then loading the stuff.  In the end it was worth it but it was an overnight affair.

    
People started saying their good nights and drifting off to their different 'homes' after the kitchen was cleared.  I ended up on the porch in my rocker (Nancy must of went to bed) sipping my tea while Mason sat in his rocker, his head back and eyes closed.

    
"What ya thinking?"

    
"I was just wondering where all these kids are coming."

    
"Yeah, we were thinking the same thing after dinner but didn't come up with anything. I'm not gonna worry about it.  Long as we can take care of them I'm not going to worry about it."

    
"Yea, you're right.  How about a little stroll in the moonlight, lover, I feel like holding hands."

    
"That all you feel like?"
     "Well, I think I could be persuaded."

    
I laughed.  "If you have to be persuaded, you're out of luck.  I don't have the energy."

    
"You ok?"

    
"Oh, yea, great.  Just weary.  Every day is better than the last and at this rate we can head to town this weekend.  Think you can fit me into your busy schedule?"

    
He opened the door of the camper and let me go first so he could pat my butt as I walked by.  This time however, he did more than that and I found out later, I didn't have to do any persuading at all.

    
I woke to the sun shining in my eyes through a slim crack in the curtains.  I felt all refreshed and tender in the right places from a long night of loving.  I was in the middle of a very good stretch when Mason came out of the bathroom.  He was toweling off his hair when he noticed me, and stopped to watch, his eyes getting darker.  I foresaw another round of love when someone knocked on the door.  Pulling the covers over me, he shook himself, then pulled on some sweats before glancing in my direction, shaking his head and pulling the door closed behind him to answer the door.

    
I grinned as I jumped into the shower, pleased with myself as only a woman who makes her man happy by doing nothing much, can be.  I took a quick shower since Mason had just gotten out and put on some clean sweats and my tee shirt that read, 'Zombies are Stinkers' when Mason came back.  I was tying my Nike's while he told me that Nancy had disappeared.  They searched the area for an hour and she was no where to be found. Flynn had come by to say one of the newer pickups were missing along with some food stuffs.

    
I remembered when Sissy disappeared and tensed up, because she returned with reinforcements to destroyed the lodge.  "Don't be worried, she isn't as smart as Sissy was.  It just means we don't have to deal with her anymore."

    
"Well, I smell coffee so Nancy is on the back burner for now anyway.  Walk me to the cabin, and we can start planning our trip to town.  How ya doing for underwear?"

    
"Babe, if ya want to see my underwear all ya have to do is ask."  I laughed like he wanted me too and slowly walked by him as he held the door for me remembering the night before.  He laughed then and all was right in the world.

    
The dining hall was busy with the kids.  They had their own table now with Bobby the leader.  We sat nearby so we could monitor things but the older kids were helping the younger ones and doing a good job.

    
I was examining the many slips of paper from everyone that wanted things from the trip.  We really needed to stop at a children's store.  Underwear was high on that list.  I also had so many sizes, that I may have to spend the night there.  Most of the other things could be found at a Big Lots or Sams. 

    
The maps were brought out, so Bobby switched over to the big table to help.  After we got breakfast dishes done I wandered out to the porch to enjoy my coffee. Flynn and Randy took off to do some hunting while I settled into the rocker to enjoy some alone time.  I'd just gotten comfortable when the pot of dead flowers on the table beside me exploded.  The shot was heard right after that.  Oh for heavens sake.  Coffee had split all over me when I jumped and the cup went flying when I crouched on the floor.  Still crouched, I crab walked back inside the cabin, where the kids had been herded to the clinic while everyone armed themselves.  I nodded to Mason and Joe that I was fine and grabbed a rifle.

    
I reached out to the mind in the distance and tilted my head back and forth to zero in on the signal coming from the top of the cliff in front of us.  I found rage, and confusion and immediately recognized Nancy's wavelength.

    
"It's Nancy and she's pissed.  She plans to wait me out but wouldn't mind putting a bullet into that bast...ah...Bruce."

    
I shrugged my shoulders at him to let him know I was sorry about the slip up and he just gave me a grin and a thumbs up.

    
"I'm sorry, JD.  I should have known she would do something like this.  She hates you with a passion and I'm not sure why."  Bruce said as he took up a position at the side of the dining hall.  I didn't know if he'd be able to shoot her or not but as long as he tried to protect us that was all I cared about.

    
Randy had taken the walkie with him so I told Lacy what was going on and she relayed the information to him.

    
"They're working their way around to the caves so they can get a clear shot but it may take a bit.  They said to stay low until they get into position."  So we stayed low but every once in a while Nancy would shoot out one of the windows just to let us know she was still there.  Flying glass had managed to cut everyone which kept Joe busy running around trying to put band aids on us.  At the rate he was going we were going to run out of them soon.

    
We got into position but she has the jeep between us.  We have to move to another position or wait for her to stand up.  Flynn is gonna move down the ridge a bit and see if he can get a better shot at her. Give us about another half hour.

    
Lacy relayed the info but we heard him over the walkie in the silence of the cabin.  So we hunkered.  Sarah came out once and wanted to know if she should try to fix some lunch for us but I told her to wait a bit longer.  We almost had things under control.  The kids were getting antsy and scared out of their minds and I couldn't blame them.  I was antsy as hell myself.

    
Another gunshot made us duck again but she either missed or was killed.  Randy came over the walkie and said it was all clear.  I took that to mean the wicked bitch was dead.  So we quietly eased out the door ready to run but nothing else happened.  After about an hour, Flynn came driving in with the missing truck and a tarp covering Nancy's body.  Bruce walked over, lifted the edge of the tarp, stared for a minute, then walked to his cabin and shut the door.